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I received this request from Transform East Alliance who has been trying to help the churches and pastors in India and Bangladesh.
I am writing to tell you about an urgent need for financial help for ministry leaders in West Bengal India and Bangladesh facing enormous medical challenges because of the huge surge in Covid cases.
No doubt you are aware of the second pandemic wave spreading across West Bengal India and Bangladesh, bringing the healthcare system of the world’s second most populous country to a breaking point. Hospitals are overflowing, people are desperate to find oxygen, and the price of medical supplies has skyrocketed. Daily Covid cases have hovered around 400,000, with 3,500 daily deaths which are expected to keep climbing.
These are not mere statistics. These are dear friends and ministry partners who have been updating us daily about themselves, family members, and colleagues who have died or are struggling to get medical help because they have tested positive. These are leaders we know and love and have deeply invested in. Sujit Biswas, a young leader we have been training to Disciple making and church planting others also died our coordinators Jayento and Prithviraj their parents and now they are in quarantine, many tragically died of Covid. More than 10 other TEA leaders have tested positive, and 3 have been hospitalized. Many have lost family members.
There is a great need to provide financial assistance for these leaders to pay for medical treatment. Our TEA network field Coordinator brothers Rabindra and Manik and Joel, shared some examples of how your gift could make a significant difference in the life of a pastor or ministry leader:
- Utpal in Malda today returned home after a week in a private hospital and his bill is around $500. He could not get treatment in a government hospital due to the long line and lack of facilities.
- One leader in Medinipur got infected last week and spent $200 for doctors’ consultation, medicine, and vitamins for home treatment.
- A leader in Birbhum got infected and was low on oxygen. He travelled to two different cities to find medical care. So far, he has spent around $400 and may have to spend another $300 for complete recovery.
- One leader’s whole family is infected. They have spent around $200 on medicine and might spend another $100 for complete treatment.
Ministry leaders in West Bengal India and Bangladesh earn a monthly salary between $200-$500. Without financial assistance, many will incur burdensome debts, will be forced to go without necessities for their families, or will not be able to get the medical care they need to recover.
As needs continue to mount, we are looking to raise $10,000 to assist ministry leaders in WB India and Bangladesh impacted by the recent surge in Covid cases. |