UPDATES FROM INDIA

HERE ARE UPDATES ON THE SITUATION IN REPALLE:

FROM EMMANUEL'S DAUGHTER, CHRISTY:

I just got off the phone with my dad about 10 minutes ago and the IREF compound in Repalle is quickly flooding. There are over 3,000 people from surrounding villages that have sought refuge at IREF. All the kids have moved to the 2nd floors of each building for safety. For live coverage of what's happening in and near Repalle, please checkout the following links:

www.sakshitv.com/

http://www.deccan.com/

FROM EMMANUEL'S SON, JOHN:

After countless hours of anticipation of the flood waters, the town of Repalle was hit with 10ft of uncontrolled flooding. While the water came quickly yesterday, the flooding has now ceased, but large amounts of water still remain. Much of the damage will not be assessed until the water has receded and people are able to return to their homes. The government (including the local police and state army) has stepped in and raised its efforts to feed the entire community of Repalle and prevent more water from coming with iron beams and sandbags. Although the overall conditions of the flood in Repalle are bad, some good news is that the electricity has come back. With the power back on again, it is much easier to assess what immediate needs are to be met. The police department is now stationed at Repalle Evangelical Church (our church) in order to distribute food and regulate the relief efforts on their part. As it concerns IREF, the government has moved more than half of the 3,000 villagers that sought shelter at IREF to a different village where the land is dry. Yet, the compound with the Administrative office, the boys’ dormitory, and the schools received 4-5ft of water while the other compound housing the girls sustained minimal flooding. With 4-5ft of water, one of the biggest worries now is the presence of snakes. The IREF staff is tirelessly working to help wherever there are needs to be met including helping the local government. IREF students are doing well. The little ones want to play in the water, while the older students grow restless with nowhere to go and nothing to do. But we thank God for His grace and protection during this time. And we pray that God continues to meet the needs of all those (within IREF and the outside communities) affected by this powerful flood. Thank you for all your prayers and emails, we ask that you would continue to pray for dad and all those involved with IREF.

I AM POSTING THESE UPDATES JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER, 2009.