On 2 May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Burma - it was the worst natural disaster in the country's history. BMS World Mission called for help from its supporters - people immediately responded, enabling relief grants of over £50,000 to be sent to BMS partners in Burma.
In an interview with Reverend Shwe Tun, who lost his wife and three daughters in the disaster, we are reminded that, as the world moves on and forgets Cyclone Nargis, we must not forget the need to keep praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are still suffering from their lives being devastated.
What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Shwe Tun. I am the pastor of Zee Phyu Baptist Church. Our church is one of the churches of Pathein-Myaung Mya Association. Zee Phyu village lies on the bank of Pyar-Ma-Law River which means 'inescapable'. This river usually has high tides and wind in all the seasons.
How many casualties were there from your church from Cyclone Nargis?
Before the cyclone, there were over 200 church members, but after the cyclone, about 130 members were missing.
How did you survive?
I was not at home during the storm. I was travelling to an association meeting in Pathein. On the night of the cyclone, I was stuck in a village not very far from my village. Trees and the debris of our houses were scattered far and wide. When the strong tides came, they were all gone. The tide at times reached 12 feet high.
How are you doing now?
These days, my thoughts are winding around the past. Now is the beginning of the school year and I think of my daughters who would be going to school. They are gone away from my life. I wasn't able to protect them during the storm - I always feel bad and feel guilty about that. I just can't accept this happening if it is not in spiritual way. I encourage myself that it is God's will. People who died in the storm are in God's hand. I believe God has a purpose in this storm.
What is the current situation in the village where you live?
The lost families are irreplaceable. It will take a long time to recover from the impact of the storm. I know it'll take a long time to forget the past, but now it's time for us to help each other regain confidence and help others other in their physical need too. The villagers need a scheme for income generation so that they can survive and not solely depend on donors in the long run.
How do you see the future?
Well, I have a plan to go out and testify about the experiences of Cyclone Nargis together with my church members. We should have all died in the storm. It's really amazing that people have lived to tell the tale. We are alive only by the grace of God.
Interview by K D Grace Hkawn Lum on 15 August 2008
BMS partner, Myanmar Baptist Convention's general figures from Cyclone Nargis
- Affected area: 36 townships in Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions (of Irrwaddy Delta region) of Burma
- Total affected population: 2.5 million people
- Total number of deaths: Official figure - 77,738 deaths and 55,917 missing (possibly 100,000 with 56,000 missing)
- Total number of deaths from the Baptist churches: 7,500
- Total number of households affected among the Baptist cover areas: 18,807 families with 94,265 persons
- People groups affected: Bamar (ethnic Burmese), Karen, Pwo Karen and Asho Chin
Source: MBC and HBAid