On March 28, 2025, a deadly earthquake smashed central Myanmar. The earthquake of a 7.7 magnitude was felt all the way in Thailand. More than 1,700 people died and thousands were injured. After months of search and rescue, several hundred are still missing.
The recovery process has been challenging because of the extensive damage to bridges, buildings, and roads in and around the city of Mandalay where several BTJ missionaries are currently serving.
BTJ missionaries responded to calls for urgent help with food, water and basic necessities. Within a few hours, BTJ was able to send out urgent aid requests that were met by extremely generous partners and supporters from around the world.
BTJ has been working with orphans in Myanmar for more than twenty years and many of those orphans were also hit hard by the earthquake. 25 years ago, BTJ missionaries from China began helping children who had lost their parents to disease, land mines, and in some cases, starvation. What those children went through after the earthquake could only be described as a living hell. They were forced to sleep outside after the earthquake destroyed their orphanage.
To add to the problem, massive rain storms flooded the earthquake areas and the children were at the mercy of the elements, as well as malaria infested mosquitos. During the day, when it was not raining, they were scorched by the baking 100° F (37° C) sun.
BTJ sent urgent help before any donations even came in because of our GateKeepers. The monthly support from our partners means we can react quickly to disasters like this. You can learn more about becoming a GateKeeper by going to: www.backtojerusalem.com/gatekeepers
Please keep the missionaries and the children in your prayers.
