FLOODS RAVAGE IREF MINISTRY CENTER IN REPALLE SOUTH INDIA

FRIENDS: MOST OF YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MINISTRY IN SOUTH INDIA FOR NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AND SIT ON THE BOARD OF IREF (INDIA RURAL EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP). THERE HAVE BEEN TORRENTIAL RAINS OVER THE LAST FIVE DAYS IN OUR DISTRICT. AT FIRST, FLOODING WAS LIMITED TO THE AREA AROUND THE KRISHNA RIVER, SEVERAL MILES FROM OUR COMPOUNDS. YESTERDAY THE FLOOD WATERS BROKE INTO REPALLE. EMMANUEL REBBA, OUR PRESIDENT AND THE STAFF OF IREF IN REPALLE MOVED RAPIDLY TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR MANY HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS FROM CHILDREN TO COLLEGIANS AND TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY PEOPLE. HERE IS THE PRESS RELEASE I RECEIVED THIS EVENING:

Flood Waters Rising;
IREF Providing Food and Shelter

Devastating floods have inundated Repalle and about 30 surrounding villages with floodwater. Emmanuel Rebba reports to us that the Repalle IREF compound is already flooding, and that all of the children have moved to the second floors of each building for safety. The college boys who live in the dorms, closest to the Repalle Church, have been brought in closer to the main compound and are staying on the second floor of the college for now.

In addition there are 3,000 people from surrounding villages who are now homeless that have sought refuge at IREF and are sleeping in the school. Villages are evacuating as the flood waters rise.

Indian newspapers are reporting that this flood has already killed more than 230 people in southern India, and has left close to 1.5 million others homeless. In the Guntur District alone,
where IREF is located, officials have evacuated 27,000 people.

In this rural area IREF is usually the first relief these people receive in a crisis. It is a blessing for recipients of this relief to see the love and provision of Jesus through the people who follow Him. Many homeless are now seeking refuge in the concrete tsunami housing and churches funded and built by IREF donors!

IREF has mobilized to provide rice, other groceries, cooking utensils and clothing to people devastated by leveled huts and loss of belongings.

October 7th Letter from Dee Rebba;

Dear IREF family,

The flood waters have now reached Repalle. Although it is just a low stream of water flowing
through town, it has thrown Repalle into a state of panic. This flood is the worst of any flood related disaster to date in this particular area. It is only matter of time before the water level increases to a potential height of 3-5ft. There is no transportation, no electricity, no clean water, and very scarce shelter. Emmanuel wants to send pictures to you all, but with the lack of power he can’t use the computer; nor can he make phone cell phone calls (although there is the landline that is working at the moment).

At IREF there are a total of 3,000 villagers apart from IREF staff and students staying at the High School. A crucial concern for everyone is the necessity of food. For the past two days the local government has supplied the town with food, but Emmanuel is unsure if that will continue as the water makes it way into Repalle. IREF staff has taken it upon themselves to cook on the roof top of the boys’ dormitory using gas stoves. One of the biggest questions is how to feed more than 3,000 people with limited cooking and food supplies, and how to transport food from one building to another.

The IREF kids are doing well; as stated before they are above ground-level. Their major concern rests with their families in various villages throughout the area. We thank you for believing in IREF and standing with us all these years especially in building these buildings to house children. It is because of your faith and trust that today these buildings are now the refuge for a time such as this.

One of our concerns is that we will not be able to be in contact with Emmanuel because of the
lack of electricity there (and the uncertain use of the landline). We ask that you pray that God
gives the IREF staff strength continue to serve the community in such difficult conditions. And, we ask that you pray for the protection and safety of Emmanuel, the IREF staff and students, and the community as a whole as they patiently wait for this flood to recede.

Sincerely, Dee Rebba

Please Help:
We earnestly ask that you join IREF in providing emergency relief for the families impacted by
the flooding. Please designate your giving as “FLOOD RELIEF.”

Visit us on the web: http://www.irefusa.org/
Send us an e-mail: info@irefusa.org
Send us mail: India Rural Evangelical Fellowship P.O. Box 65 White Lake WI 54491-0065
Send a fax: 847/680-4270