Dear Brother Don Yelton,

            Greetings to you from church of Christ, Repalle. We trust this letter finds you all in good health and enjoying every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

            Brother, I have received your e-mail address from one of our brothers in India and he suggested me to write this letter for your kind consideration. We thank God very much for He has allowed us to writing this letter and fellowship with you dear brethren in Christ.

            My name is S.M. Jayarajan, preaching to church of Christ here at Repalle in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, South India. I am doing His work for last 37 years in India. We are residing here at Repalle, near Bay of Bengal. We are generally experiencing the natural calamities, rains and floods. The population of this town Repalle: 1, 05,000 people.

            I know that you and brethren in the United States are always striving to do good for the Lord’s people in USA and entire the world. Truly, you brethren are very faithful, spiritual and prayerful. We always appreciate you brethren for your commitment and sacrificial service for the Lord. You are one of the blessings God has given us. 

            Now, we regret to inform you brother that we have had heavy rains last month from September 26 to October 2, 2009. People in Karnool and Mahabubnagar in our State Andhra Pradesh have suffered very much by terrible flood rains last month. The rivers of Thungabhadra and Krishna filled with much flood water. We have continued rains here and people there much affected by these rains. Krishna and Guntur Districts also affected much by this flood rains through flowing by Krishna river. We usually give baptism in the Krishna River, two and half miles from Repalle. Now the complete village Penumudi filled with flood water by Krishna River. About one hundred thousands people are being evacuated from some areas of Vijayawada in Krishna District which are facing the threat of being marooned as the angry waters submerged houses and streets. Another one hundred thousands people above are in Guntur District evacuated by last Saturday (October 3, 2009). The evacuated people and flood victims increased much and affected by flood rains. 45 villages in our area affected much by flood rains.

            Water reached fully to reservoirs above level and capacity. We have some reservoirs and dams in Andhra Pradesh. Water flows much to reservoir, dam and barrage. For example, the inflows water capacity is more than the discharge (outflows) water capacity. Official record on Friday night (October 02, 2009), ‘The worrying factor is that the discharge capacity of the dam is 13 lakh cusecs water against the present inflows of 17 lakh cusecs water. There is a drastic fall of flood out flows from Srisailam, the threat of Nagarjansagar dam and Prakasham barrage persists, large area in our town came under the water of Krishna River.  The irrigation officials are also worried that there will be a threat to the mega structure if the flood level increases beyond its capacity. People said, more than One hundred years above it happened in our area. This caused much water flowing in towns and villages in Krishna and Guntur District. Police and revenue teams are visiting the colonies and affected areas and were moving people to safer places or shelters arranged by the officials. Because of unprecendented floods, the situation is grim and worsening every second. Government and irrigation department set control rooms with phone numbers.

            Because of flood rains and flowing water from Krishna river towns and villages affected much in three districts Krishna, Guntur and Nalgonda. By heavy rains people affected much in Kurnool district. Many thousands of people became homeless due to the incessant rains and floodwater. Women, children and the aged were the worst affected due to non-availability of drinking water and food since the last few days.

            We have experienced a terrible flood situation here at Repalle. On 6^th October 2009 (Tuesday) a supporting wall broken at Voleru a near village to Repalle (2 miles distance from Repalle). The flood water from Krishna flowed rapidly to Repalle and this town Repalle filled with water. Almost the villages in Repalle Mandal affected much by flood water. We are in panic and flood water entered our house, 4 feet of water flowing on roads, no power supply for two days. People were evacuated by rescue teams. Our families shifted to upstairs. We fear to get down because of poisonous snakes make rounds in the floor water. However, my son Nirmal and I have been visited some of our members’ families they were in school and government buildings. I cannot explain the situation of church members, their houses marooned in flood water, and some of them live in down places. They have lost their clothes and house-hold things. Some of their houses completely collapsed and destroyed. One of our sisters P. Seetharavamma (wife of brother Rangarao) expired on October 7, 2009 morning by heart stroke when she saw this flood water. All members of the congregation here at Repalle disturbed much and have great loss by flood water. Some preachers have lost their household things and their houses also damaged. 

            There is threat of contagious diseases and trades hiked prices of all essentials, we do not have opportunities to go out to buy any and there is no one to sell. This situation was never before. This time river Krishna violently hit us and we feel that we are in ocean. Swirling waters threaten poor people; it will take some months that the situation will come to normal. I am sending some news papers cuttings and pictures by attachment for your information. I am also sending the internet news. I am sharing this news with painful heart. We request you brother please pray for us and the congregation here. I request you brother please send your postal mailing address to sending news papers’ cuttings and pictures of flood. Please convey our love and best regards to all the brethren there. We are looking forward to hearing from you brother.

            Please greet all for us. Thanking you.

With gratitude,

S.M. Jayarajan.

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October 20, 2009

Beloved Brother Don Yelton,

Greetings from Churches of Christ - Tribal Evangelism, INDIA.
Hope you are are doing fine by our God's grace, as well you are in our daily prayers.

We are deeply saddened to inform you that heavy floods and rains hit the Andhra Pradesh State for the last 2 weeks. The flood affected Districts are Kurnool , Mahaboobnagar, Krishna, Guntur and Nalgonda. Kurnool and Vijayawada are the major towns affected by the flood. Nearly 400 villages are submerged in the flood waters. There are 30,00,000 people became homeless. The flood is worst in the past 100 years in Andhra Pradesh State. It costs more than 300 lives so far. This flood will continue for more days.

The river causing the flood is KRISHNA, this is the highest flood that the people never experienced and 27 our co-workers are serving Lord in the Coastal area of Krishna river in the areas named Nagayalanka, Avanigadda, Mopidevi, Pedapally, 6th Mile etc are the areas worst affected. Our preachers along with the congregation members have lost their rice & vegetable crops. Houses, church buildings & prayer halls are much damaged. Many of them worship in thatched houses (covered with palm leaves, grass and mud walls) which are completely damaged.
 
Our co-workers there effected a lot and are urging our help during this most needy time. By God's grace none of them lost their lives, but lost their crops, animals, houses, church buildings, prayer halls are severely damaged. Herewith I'm providing you the important pictures for you to understand how severe are our people affected. The pictures in big size are taken by our co-worker and the small sized ones are from our local News papers. Please visit the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/chorlian.samson/APFloodPictures#

Also the following are the few links of this news published in the Media:

http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/04/andhra-flood-toll-rises.htm
http://www.act-intl.org/alerts.php?uid=105
http://www.andhranews.net/Features/Events/2009-Floods-in-India.asp
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Flood-situation-grim-in-Andhra-Pradesh/articleshow/1873757.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Major-floods-hit-Andhra-Karnataka-rescue-operations-on/articleshow/5081295.cms
http://blogs.inspions.net/2009/10/05/floods-in-andhra-pradesh-1-8-m-people-affected-damage-at-12225cr/
http://trak.in/news/muniyappa-seeks-pms-help-for-flood-affected-people-in-andhra-pradesh-karnataka/9944/
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/pm-to-make-aerial-survey-of-flood-affected-andhra-pradesh-karnataka_100257956.html

Our Government is taking preventive and rescue measures at their level best. They succeed in saving the lives, but unable to save the crops and properties. Government arranged temporary rehabilitation shelters, and arranged food, water and medicine. But all these measures are nominal, not at all sufficient for these many thousands of people, so we urge you to extend your helping hands for our dear brethren & sisters in this most needy time.

As you see in the pictures, people are in a very bad situation, especially our co-workers & the church members. Living on the roads and temporary shelters. The waters are in & around them. Contagious diseases and Flu's are spreading very rapidly due to unhealthy sanitation conditions., so mainly children and old aged people are suffering ill-health. No proper supply of drinking water. They lost every thing except their lives. Praise the Lord as He saved their lives. The people have hard days before them as they are facing food, clothing and water problems. We are praying God for their safety and good healthy.
 

Brother Don, we request you to pray & extend your helping hands for them. We are in desperate need of your help. We will be so thankful & grateful to you for your prayerful & timely help. Your constant prayers are much needed for our mission field in this time. Thanks a lot in advance and we await your prayerful response.

For the cause of Christ,
Chorlian K. Samson
Churches of Christ - Tribal Evangelism
Basic Bible School
P.O.Box-3
Sathupally, Khammam District
Andhra Pradesh 507303
INDIA.

Phone: +91-9849493149

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October 23, 2009

This oldman is a member of Repalle Church of Christ.  On that night, upon seeing waters entering into their village, he and his wife took shelter on the top of the house.  In the middle of night, his wife wanted to come down to see the waters that entered the house. Upon seeing the waters were increasing, suddenly she got heart pain and within minutes she died. The whole village was submerged under 4 feet of water.  He could not go out but early in the morning, some of the members who were searching every home to find every house situation, they came to that house.  Then, they shouted for help, they walked for 2 kilometers carrying the dead body and then they got a tractor to take the body 10 more kilometers to a place where there is no water to bury the body. Now, he is left alone and he expressed his faith that he is going to see his wife when the Lord comes.  But, he is very poor man, he lost every thing except his life.  Asee Darla

Oct 23, 2009 - Christian young lady whose home was flooded.  Now she lives in the street with all her worldly possessions. - Asee Darla

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October 23, 2009 - The team of the preachers that accompanied me (to ascertain how and where to distribute relief supplies)

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October 31, 2009

Dear Bro. Don, 

Greetings to you in our Lord’s wonderful name.  I am grateful; our brethren began responding to the requests on behalf of crying voices of flood victims in A.P. India and other places. I am praying for wisdom and right spirits for those who want to serve some of these people with the contributions you are raising.  I am really grateful to WFR Relief and to Healing Hands International for your kind involvement in reaching human sufferings wherever they occur.  

     1.              Almost every political party, news and electronic media, religious organizations, voluntary organizations here are collecting contributions and donations from the common people and they are distributing some essential food items and clothes in the flood affected villages. A common complaint is majority of the help is not reaching to the deserved.  Everywhere we went, we noticed this situation. It is putting us in a situation to take more cautions in directing your help to reach the needy.  As I get into it, I am sure I will learn better ways to deal with.  

2.           I want to explain what we are doing with our contributions from Nellore church and the first thousand sent by you along with Sam’s 1,000. 

a.            We divided our priorities in 3 categories. 

1.           Church of Christ preachers and their families.

2.           Church of Christ members and their neighbors.

3.            All other disturbed people in the villages by the disaster. 

b.           At this time, since we have only limited money in our hands we want to take up helping some of the preachers and their families in our first priority.

c.            We have identified some of the local church leaders whom I know since several years in the districts of Krishna and Guntur.  They are collecting data of the preachers who are suffering in these villages.  We cannot go to their places and distribute our help, not helping the others in the villages at the same time.  Therefore, we are inviting those preachers in nearby one of the centers we identified and there we will distribute preacher’s help.  If we have funds, we will take up the second priority after completing helping all the preachers in all the other districts this tragedy occurred.

d.           We have arranged 200 packets this week just to help preachers and their families in Krishna and Guntur districts.  We will distribute these packets in three different centers; Repalle, Tenali and Guntur. The leaders in these places have contacts to whom to distribute.  We put two sarees, two blankets, two Lungis and two towels in each packet.  10 kilos of rice, small quantity of dhal, oil, two cooking vessels and two mats in a separate pack.  We are planning to hand over these packets to those preachers.  I want to give them one or two Bibles also because most of the Christian families, they lost their books in the water.  For Bibles, World radio two months ago supplied me a $1,000-00 to use in Sri lanka where I am having my work and in India.  Each Telugu Bible costs Rs. 120-00. ($2.79-00) I am going to use that money at this occasion.   I feel Bible is the no.1 essential need for every Christian family at this times especially the preachers.  Apart from the Bible cost, the clothing packet costs Rs. 1,270-00 ($29.53) and the vessels packet would cost $11-75.  Each preacher’s family would get these two packages worth $ 41.28.  

With much respects,

Your brother in Christ,

Asee

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