Surveying the Bomb Damage in one of the Churches.
WILLS POINT, TEXAS (ANS) – Humanitarian agency Gospel For Asia (GFA, www.gfa.org ) reports the latest death toll in the Sri Lanka bomb attacks on Easter Sunday, linked to an Islamic terror group, stands at 253, with the country’s president declaring a State of Emergency and deploying 7,000 security forces across Sri Lanka amid fears of possible unrest and further attacks.
GFA said in a media update that one of its social workers in Sri Lanka lost five family members in the Easter Sunday terror bomb attacks on two separate churches. “GFA mourns the loss of her relatives and continues to pray for members of the community,” the ministry said.
The female social worker, who serves at a GFA-supported Bridge of Hope children’s center, was “in utter shock and great grief” after she discovered five of her relatives were killed in blasts at two separate churches, said GFA founder K.P. Yohannan. The victims included four members of the same family – both parents and their two children.
“Please pray for God’s comfort and peace upon the bereaved families,” Yohannan said. “Pray that God will give them strength during this difficult time… and for protection upon all families and communities in Sri Lanka as insecurity and uncertainty continues.”
Funeral services have been held for the GFA worker’s family members, killed in the separate serial suicide bomber attacks. Terrorists targeted three churches, hotels and other locations. GFA also reported that a bomb had been defused on a street near one of its supported offices.
Yohannan said GFA-supported national workers will be part of the healing and restoration of shattered communities in the weeks to come.
In addition to providing relief aid, Gospel For Asia maintains ongoing projects in Sri Lanka, including supporting Bridge of Hope centers that provide quality education, meals and medical care to children who were impacted by Sri Lanka’s devastating civil war.
One center in the north is home to 120 children who have lost one or both parents to war. GFA also supports women’s Christian fellowships and radio ministry broadcasts.
“I ask for your prayers and support, that the people of Sri Lanka may find strength in God’s grace as they move forward,” Yohannan said. “Please join us in praying that during these pain-filled days ahead, our brothers and sisters on the field would be the healing hands of Jesus to broken and hurting people.”
To join GFA’s prayer network for Sri Lanka, go to: www.gfa.org/pray/sri-lanka.
