Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – On October 8, 2024, the Community Development Ministry carried out a Bắc Quang landslide relief trip to Hà Giang province, where prolonged heavy rain caused landslides and flash floods that buried many homes and took several lives. The total support was 40,100,000 dong, including 1 ton of rice and cash.
See photos: photos of the Bắc Quang relief trip on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
A One-Day Trip
At dawn, ministry members and women representing two of the church’s groups set out. The mountain road was winding, with many stretches covered in mud, making access to the affected commune very difficult. Even so, the vehicle was full of laughter and encouragement. In just one day, the team completed the long journey to deliver rice and cash directly to the families.
Close Coordination With Local Authorities
The program was coordinated with the Bắc Quang District Fatherland Front Committee, based on a careful survey to identify real needs. In Đồng Tâm commune, the team was welcomed by the commune Party Secretary and the Chairman of the People’s Committee, who shared the difficulties residents were facing.
- 4 households with the heaviest losses, including the death of family members: 2 million dong and 15 kg of rice each.
- 60 households with more than 50% damage: 15 kg of rice and 200,000 dong each.
The total included 23 million dong in cash and 1 ton of rice worth 17,100,000 dong. Many villagers kept praising how fragrant the rice was, their joy and gratitude clear on their faces.
“And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
A Man Who Gave His Life Helping Neighbors
On the morning of September 29, 2024, while helping neighbors move their belongings out of a danger zone, Mr. T., a Bắc Quang resident, was buried by rocks and soil sliding down from a hill and lost his life. He left behind his wife and two young children, aged 6 and 4. His wife has no stable job, and the family lives in a simple house with a fiber-cement roof and mud-plastered walls, with many damaged spots covered by cloth and bamboo screens.
The ministry visited, encouraged the family and gave his wife 3 million dong to share a little of the burden of raising their two children. A ministry representative shared: “We pray that the family will soon overcome the pain of their loss and find hope in the days ahead.” His selflessness, thinking not of his own safety but only of helping others, will always be honored.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
New Strength for Those Who Serve
The trip was long and the schedule packed, but God gave the team endurance and health. The ministry hopes these small contributions will help the people of Bắc Quang take firmer steps on their journey of rebuilding their lives.
“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Let Us Pray Together
- For families who lost loved ones to be comforted and upheld by God.
- For Mr. T.’s wife and two young children to get through these hard days.
- For the people of Bắc Quang to soon have stable housing and livelihoods.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
