Pouring Our God’s Goodness To The Needy

Urgent Relief to Flood-Hit Pitas in Sabah Reported by Andrew Chua

Just before Christmas, we received news that heavy rains and floods had hit Pitas, Sabah. As a result of the heavy downpour, the entire vicinity of Pitas was flooded, with countless schools and houses affected. The aftermath of the floods saw seven primary schools in Pitas closed – six of them closed due to their access roads being inundated and one being used as a relief centre for flood victims.

Ringing true to the DUMC saying that goes, “See a need, meet it; see a hurt, heal it”, the PJN1 zone headed by Pastor Adrian Chong, saw the needs of those affected in Pitas and we knew it was God calling us to action. We immediately liaised with our local ground contact in Pitas and were made aware of two immediate needs:

“See a need, meet it; see a hurt, heal it.”

1. There was a severe shortage of food supplies. To resolve this, PJN1 provided approximately RM2,000 worth of rice (about 200 5kg bags of rice) to the distribution point in Pitas. The bags were then distributed to the locals and from the feedback received, it was able to help about 150 families consisting of both believers and non-believers. 2. The flood had also caused damage to the local church, i.e. the Borneo Evangelical Mission Church in Pitas. We were informed that the total repair and rebuilding cost would come up to approximately RM25,000. Praise God that PJN1 was able to immediately allocate some funds for this and managed to donate RM4,000.

Here we see Pastor Maklin Masiau, one of the pastors in Pitas with whom PJN1’s Pastor Adrian Chong has been working closely, assisting and coordinating the flood relief assistance. Pastor Maklin has been in the ministry for 20 years and is actively involved in Christian education, translating English books to the local language for distribution to the locals. He also teaches in various schools in surrounding areas of Pitas via Christian Fellowship. He was a former teacher in the local schools in Pitas and hence, with an available network in the education system is able to bless his local community.

In the pictures below we see SK Pitas submerged by the flood and the access roads cut off and damaged due to landslides.

These are some of the homes which had been affected by the floods.

“For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight.”

Psalm 72:12-14

What a privilege it is for DUMC to be able to serve those in need. To God be the Glory! Shalom.