Stories

This summer, India’s annual rainy season created unusually severe devastation. Flooding led to massive landslides that claimed hundreds of lives, destroyed homes, and made day-to-day life impossible for tens of thousands of families. Ministry partners and participants in all three of Mission India’s programs (Adult Literacy Classes, Children’s Bible Clubs, and Church Planter Training) have been impacted, and the needs are great.

The most heavily hit states have been Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Telangana, and Tripura, which cover a geographical spread from east India all the way to its western and southernmost points. The damage and destruction of key infrastructure like roads and bridges has cut many rural communities off from the outside world, making it difficult for people to access resources.

Reports from our ministry partners say that the devastation is truly too vast to comprehend. Even photos and videos can only convey a fraction of the destruction caused by these floods.

Although the worst of the rainy season is now over, the catastrophic impact of these disasters is ongoing. Hundreds of families are grieving the loss of a loved one. Tens of thousands are still displaced from their homes or just beginning the rebuilding process.

So many families who were already experiencing financial hardship are now struggling to survive each day. Crops have been ruined, livestock have been killed, and jobs have been lost. Homes were destroyed, belongings were lost to floodwaters, and many were forced to start over with next to nothing.

Beyond physical needs, India’s flood victims are dealing with the emotional trauma of their experiences and the stress of trying to find a new normal post-disaster. For many, the outcome is bleak and hope is nonexistent.

Thankfully, our ministry partners have been on the ground from the very beginning of these disasters. Since August, we have been raising funds for Relief Kits which, with a gift of just $55, can provide one family with necessities like food, clothing, and bed sheets. Distributing Relief Kits gives our ministry partners the chance to demonstrate the love of Jesus in a tangible way. Meeting people’s needs—with no strings attached—truly loves people in the way Jesus loved. Our hope and prayer is that each Relief Kit will not only meet urgent physical needs but also open the door to eternal impact.

Your prayers and support can truly make a difference in the lives of India’s flood victims. If you’d like to share your prayers with other believers, you can visit our Prayer Wall here. Thank you for joining us to shine the light of Jesus across India.