India

1,000,000 people displaced.

2,500 relief camps.

10,000 kilometers of highway destroyed.

$3 billion in damages.

350 + people killed.

Intense monsoon rains in Southern India have triggered the worst flooding the country has seen in 100 years. These rising waters have invaded many homes, forcing thousands to move to one of the 2,500+ temporary relief camps, and causing the deaths of more than 350 people.

Since the tsunami of 2004, India has refused all offers of international aid in times of crisis, with this being no exception. The reality of the current situation, however, is that foreign assistance could be helpful in saving lives and caring for those who have been rescued.

David and I returned from our Mexico outreach last Saturday (August 18th), and the following day we received an email informing us that RN was considering sending a group to India. Needing to make a quick decision, we talked and prayed and felt that David should join the relief efforts. On Tuesday it was confirmed that a team of four members would be sent, with David as the leader ! However, there were still obstacles to overcome.

The group applied for their visas on Wednesday, knowing that many tourist visas for India had recently been denied, and that the process was often long, taking multiple days or even weeks to receive a response. The team planned to leave on Saturday, and needed to book their plane tickets quickly. Would their visas come in time ? Should they confirm their flights in faith ? Should they wait ? We have a great God. All four team members received their visas within 24 hours, and thus had the green light to continue with preparation and planning !

After working almost non-stop for five days, verifying the finances for the Mexico outreach as well as coordinating the RN team's preparation, David left Canada yesterday and has now arrived with his team in India.

The team will be in Kerala for 2.5 weeks. While the details of what they will do are still unknown, they are prepared to serve through practical help, food distribution, medical care, child care and helping with whatever needs they encounter once on the ground in Kerala. Our contact in India has requested that we raise funds for food and supplies, which the team would then help distribute to the internally displaced people.

Please be praying.

1. For safety (over 350 people have died in relationship to these floods, and there is now a greater concern regarding sanitation, mosquito-borne illness, venomous snakes, etc.)

2. For wisdom as David leads

3. For finances (all four are volunteers and are thus responsible to cover their own flights and expenses). 4. For open doors to serve and love the people affected. 5. For Elise and Jude, that they will not have too much fun without David ;-)

Thank you for your prayers and support !

If you are interested in giving a financial donation to help with the relief efforts, here are some options:

1. Contact us at daveli.therisod@gmail.com to know how you can help fund David's trip.

2. Email us to know how you can send money for supplies and food for those affected by the floods.