My cousin, Bob Simmons, returned from a mission trip to India about a week before the big earthquake hit. The people he worked with have really been affected by this tragedy. Below is a letter from Bob Simmons followed by a letter from Dr. Gupta, director of one of the relief teams.
PLEASE HELP!
thanks, Nashville Fats February 7, 2001
 
 
 

To: Nashville Fats <balaamsdonkey@webtv.net>
From: Bob Simmons <ndsmail@pacbell.net>
Subject: KNEES NEEDED! RELIEF TEAM IS READY TO LEAVE

The latest news from Dr. Gupta in India- I have met and worked with many of the relief team, a wonderful, sacrificial group of people!
Can you help?
They can help a family with:
  • Medicine : Immunization for cholera and antibiotics, energizers etc.
  • Food items : Bajar (kind of wheat grain), Rice, Dhal, Oil, Sugar, Tea etc
  • Blankets
  • Firewood for fuel
  • Pots and Pans
  • Torch lights
  • Tents
  • Syntex water tanks to store water
  • Candles and match boxes
for only $155.00 each-
Please send in your gifts designating to
"Gujarat relief work" to their US office -
HBI Global Partners
P.O. Box 245,
Union Mills, NC 28167.
Phone : 828-286-8317.

 
Call if I can answer any questions or shed light on any areas.
Bob Simmons
NDS
http://www.nds-solutions.com
888-536-2630
 
 
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 8:49 PM
Subject: KNEES NEEDED! RELIEF TEAM IS READY TO LEAVE
 
Dear Prayer partner,
Greetings to you in His precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

 
It is almost 12 days after the dreadful earthquake hit the state of Gujarat.
The rescue team could save 3 people buried under the debris after 10 days.
Praise God for these tireless rescue workers who have yet not given up but determined to see how they can save some who are still alive under the debris. However, most of the rescue teams from different countries have gone back.

 
The people who are affected by the earth quake are still scared and have not come out of the shock. They are confused and do not seem to have any hope for the future. Some of them have migrated to neighboring states after seeing "no hope" in their home town. It is heart breaking and sad to see these people with no hope, full of fear and anxiety. Can you help us to connect with these people and give them the love of Jesus Christ? Our relief team is ready to leave on the 10th of Feb. Can they be your eyes, hands, hearts and demonstrate the love of Christ to these people? The people of Gujarat need the Lord.
 
I want to thank you for your faithful and sincere prayers for the people of Gujarat. Thank you for lending your knees and upholding us in your prayers. I want to thank the many who called our US office and sent emails inquiring about the plans for earthquake relief work. I want to thank those who have already sent in your gifts towards the earthquake relief work. So far, we have received commitments for about $10,000/- We are trusting the Lord to help us raise the needed support to serve atleast 1500 families. Your support goes to a worthy cause of demonstrating the love of Christ. Can we hear from you today?
 
The relief team leaves on 10th Feb. morning at 9.30 a.m. We have about 11 people leaving on the relief team. We met with them and had an orientation session so that they may go prepared to demonstrate the love of Christ. I would specially want you to uphold this team in your prayers. The leader of the team Rev. Arthur Hope received news that his mother passed away this afternoon so he had to leave for his native place which is about 400 kms from Chennai. Before he left he told us that he has determined to come back and go with the relief team on Friday. He wants to serve the people of Gujarat and be of assistance to the team. Praise God! We are amazed at his commitment and thank God for people like him.
 
Our scouting team told us that when you travel from Ahmedabad to these villages which are about 650 kms, you will not see any church. The villages in North Gujarat have no church or Christian workers. There are totally 13 villages in and around Khadir taluk and about three people groups found in these villages.
 
A village called Ganespar has about 300 families and a people group called "Ahir" live in this village. It is very near Pakistan border -- just about 18 kms from the village. They are primarily shepherds and 90% of the houses are completed destroyed during the earthquake. An interesting thing happened when the scouting team visited this village. The Village head welcomed them and brought all the village people together for prayer. The village head is very receptive and wants us to come back. Praise God! He has already opened the door through the village head.
 
Can you pray with us as we send the team and demonstrate the love of Christ to these people. You are very vital in giving an opportunity for these people to experience the love of Christ. May we work together in reaching the unreached for Christ? I have enclosed the prayer requests and please take time to pray. WE NEED YOUR KNEES!
 
Praying with you for the salvation of the people of Gujarat.
 
Yours in Christ till all have Heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
DR. PAUL R. GUPTA
PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR
KNEES NEEDED! -
    The relief team
  1. Rev. Arthur Hope - Associate Director of cross cultural ministry, Missions Department
  2. Rev. Biju Sajan - National training co-ordinator, Missions department
  3. Mr. Ramanathan Joseph - Researcher, Church Mobilization department
  4. Mr. Lamuel - Training co-ordinator, Church mobilization department
  5. Mr. Paul Anbarasu - Co-ordinator, Social Development department
  6. Mrs. Mary Cornelius - Reporting section incharge, Personnel department
  7. Mr. Timothy - Web Designer, Information Technology Service center, HBI
  8. Mr. Thangaraj - Male Nurse, Social Development Department
  9. Mr. Jacob - member of A to J musical band, HBI
  10. Mr. Joe - volunteer of children ministry, HBI
  11. Ms. Lynnet - volunteer of youth ministry, HBI and member of New Calvary church
  12. School Evangelism students - 11
  13. Local Gujarati people 6 - team led by Mr. Arun Joseph who is our local contact.

Knees Needed!
 
** Pray for the travel mercy for the team as they travel by train to Ahmedabad. It is about 40 hours journey. Then travel by van to the Kadhir villages which is about 6 hours journey. The roads are really bad.
 
** Pray for good health and strength for the relief team so that they will effectively serve the people.
 
** Pray for the school of evangelism students and the local Gujarati Christians who will join the relief team from Madras.
 
** Pray that people will see Christ's love demonstrated through the members of the team and will open their hearts to share with them.
 
** Pray that the team members will be able to accommodate to the current situations in those villages like they will stay in the tents with no facilities of sanitation, water, electricity etc.
 
** Pray that we will be able to get all the relief material in time to distribute to the people.
 
** Pray that there will not be any disturbance or hindrances from the anti-Christian movements. There are many hindu militants preventing Christian workers doing relief work.
 
** Pray that our team members will be sensitive to the needs of the people and will serve them with the servant heart.
 
** Pray that the team members will get opportunities to pray with families and possibly share the Gospel.
 
** Pray that the relief work will be opening for us to build relationship with these people in the villages and we will do follow up to introduce them to our Lord.
 
** Pray that we will send missionaries to work among them and disciple the people for Christ
 
** Pray that we will see a church planted in these villages.