Project Destruction Report of Cyclone Sidr

Greetings from Bangladesh. Thank you for your continuous prayer for Bangladesh. After the cyclone everyday we are getting confirm news from our PF, Project manager and media. As per today’s report 3,153 people died and 40, 00,000 people lost their houses fully or partially. Last night we came to know that one of our child’s (SATHI BISWAS, BD 316-0046) father is missing after the Cyclone. Professionally he was a fisherman and he went out for fishing before the Cyclone. Now peoples are suspecting that Cyclone took his life in sea. Sathi lives with her mother and a younger brother of three and half years old. I am enclosing some picture what I received from one of our project. I will update with new information in afternoon.

Thank you again for your continuous prayer support.

Date of Cyclone SIDR strike: 16^th November, 2007 at 9 pm night it started and lasted at 2 am of 17^th November, 2007.

Description of Cyclone attack: Cyclone SIDR stroke the southern part of Bangladesh at night with heavy wind like 220 km per hour It also blew all over Bangladesh which occurred a lot destruction among the countrywide peoples, their houses, animals, crops, latrine, electricity lines, kitchen, trees & firms. Mostly 23 districts devastated by this cyclone among 103 Upazilas and 710 unions (Information have been taken from the daily Newspaper “The Daily Star” on the date of 18^th November, 2007). After the cyclone 2000 people are found dead and several thousands still missing. Our projects also stroke by this cyclone mostly in southern part projects. Praise God that project did not loss any children but their houses, crops, kitchen, latrine, animals; trees were destroyed by this cyclone. Destructive projects are given billow

Sl. No	Project Name	Project ID	Situation after Cyclone
1	Chalksing	BD- 301	22 children families lost their houses and all children family lost their trees.
2	Bodorpur	BD-302	Cyclone stroke slightly in this area and destroyed fully a children house and destroyed some trees.
3	Talbari	BD- 303	Cyclone destroyed 12 children kitchen and destroyed trees, maximum children but not lost any lives.
4	Bajua	BD- 305	21 children lost their houses due to this cyclone.
5	Dumuria	BD- 306	Cyclone stroke slightly and destroyed trees.
6	Kuadanga	BD- 309	Cyclone destroyed some children houses slightly, kitchen, trees, crops
7	Gilatola	BD- 310	Cyclone affected mostly in this area. Children lost their houses, crops, kitchen, trees, latrine, shop, firm and electricity lines,
8.	Mohondi	BD-312	Cyclone destroyed crops about 80 children families, and destroyed trees maximum children
9	Satalia	BD-313	Cyclone destroyed 10 children houses fully and destroyed 70 children houses a little bit less, 79 children kitchen, 80 children latrine, 16 children trees and electricity line and firm.
10	Roghunandanpur	BD-318	Slightly effected by the Cyclone.
11	Roghunathpur	BD-319	Cyclone stroke heavily and destroyed some children houses, kitchen and crops & trees of maximum children.
12	Suagram	BD- 320	Cyclone destroyed heavily in this area. One person (Christian) died in this village and 300/400 people wounded seriously. Praise the lord that no one died or wounded in our project. It destroyed 45 houses fully and 54 children kitchen, 81 children toilet, 26 children cattle house, 100 children crops and electricity lines. It also destroyed kitchen house of this project falling a tree on this.
13	Unoshia	BD -321	Cyclone stroke this area strongly and destroyed 45 children houses totally, 52 children houses a portion of house, 3 children cattle, 20 children crops, trees and a betel leaf garden. Cyclone destroyed project kitchen, latrine and some part of project house.
14	Boratia	BD- 322	Cyclone stroke slightly and destroyed 4 children houses,

Conclusion : This Cyclone destroyed many things of those project which are not refundable but we think if we can help them it will be better for their loss.

Reported by : Diamond Bishop, Partnership Facilitator

CYCLONE SIDR - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

By DUANE & LORI DANIELSEN (friends of Kevin and Nita)

How many times have we heard that phrase? Location, Location, Location.

Unfortunately, location played a big part in the tragic events of last week. Bangladesh lies just a few feet above sea level right on the Indian Ocean. Hundreds of rivers to overflow and no higher ground.

Also its remote location makes it difficult to speed aid to the people in need. Lack of equipment, infrastructure and communication make it difficult to even put a handle on the size of the task ahead. In 11 districts 90% of the crops have been lost and an estimated 200,000 livestock have been killed. They are even using elephants as part of the clean up effort.

Location will also play a part as international awareness and interest in the coming days and weeks will diminish. This was not a hurricane that hit a state in the US. This was not a tragedy that effected foreign tourists at the beach that was caught on tape. This was not a sensational tabloid story of the rich and famous having a member of their family die. No, these were just nameless people from a far off place that happens to be in the wrong location. Because of location the cyclone will mostly likely be only a 30 second piece on tonight's evening news if its mentioned at all.

Honestly, it has been hard for me to process it all from even just 80 miles away. The reality of the need can be overwhelming. The idea that location, location, location has affected the people of Bangladesh on a such a large scale has kept me up tonight with tears in my eyes.

Please be praying in the days ahead that God will open opportunities to share His love.

Cyclone in Bangladesh

Small update: The major part of the storm missed Dhaka, however the electricity was off for three days and still goes off for many hours a day. Nita is thankful that her family and their house in Noakhali, near the coast was not hit by the storm. But she could use some more electricity.

I'm missing it all. I was in China for 5 days on a spiritual retreat and now I'm in Bangkok, Thailand at a Children's Conference until Friday. The name of the conference is "Invisible Children." There are about 350 people from different churches and organizations from different countries throughout Asia. All of us serve children is someway.

The death toll from the cyclone is more than 4,000 to date. However, no child or parents from our projects loss their life- Praise the Lord! About 20 projects where hit by the high winds and floods. Many children lost their houses. Compassion is in the process of responding to the situation with emergency aid and planning to rebuild homes.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL RATED IN Top 1%

Charity Navigator gives it top ranking for sixth consecutive year

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Oct. 8, 2007 -- Compassion International, one of the world’s leading child development ministries, has received Charity Navigator’s coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal management for the sixth consecutive year.

That puts Compassion in the top 1 percent of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator.

“Compassion takes stewardship as sacred trust with our sponsors and donors and that’s why it’s so important to us that we walk the talk in this critical area,” said David Dahlin, Compassion’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re honored to receive this ranking for the sixth year in a row because it affirms our dedication to excellence and stewardship.”

Ed Anderson, Compassion’s Chief Financial Officer, said that strict guidelines for spending and on-going accountability have aided Compassion over the years.

“Our audits on financial accountability have been rigorous,” Anderson said. “While we meet the legal requirements all U.S. charities must comply with, we have developed audit procedures and teams to provide fiscal scrutiny in the U.S. and in all 24 countries where Compassion’s child development ministries are implemented by local churches. Americans expect their charitable dollars to be wisely spent and fully accounted for.”

In addition to the prestigious ranking by Charity Navigator, Compassion has been recognized for superior financial integrity by several publications and financial-accountability groups, including The American Institute of Philanthropy. Compassion is also a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

“As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars,” said Trent Stamp, president of Charity Navigator.

Compassion is one of the world’s largest Christian child-development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and nearly 4,000 indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since its founding in 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than 1.6 million children.

For information, visit Compassion online at www.compassion.com or call (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., MST.

Hard day at School (Teachers Needed)

This picture is of Charles and Chase after a hard day at school. They just come home and crash on Nita and my bed, Charles still has his backpack on. Charles is in year 8 (grade 7), Chase year 7 (grade 6), Chad year 4 (grade 3) and CJ preschool 2.

Grace International School, Dhaka

GIS is a growing Christian School teaching a British-based curriculum to expatriate children (3 to 16 years) from 25 countries. This year we are entering our first students for IGCSE exams.

The school supplies an important service to Christians working in Dhaka and the wider expatriate community. We invite applications from qualified and enthusiastic teachers looking for opportunities in Christian service.

We are in need of a teachers across the age ranges in a variety of subject areas. Starting date could be either January or August 2008. Experience of the English National Curriculum is helpful but not essential.

For further details please contact the Principal.

e-mail: principal@graceinternationalschool.org

If you have questions you can also e-mail me, Kevin at knstout@paonline.com. I’m seriously encouraging you to consider teaching at Grace or passing this on to all the teachers you know!

Stouts’ Homestead

In Bangladesh, we call the homestead a bari. The bari is the place where your father, grandfather, great grandfather etc was born and lived. Of course, the Stout’s Homestead is not that old. My mom and dad bought the house in 1969. However, it is home. My mom still lives there. My sisters, Maureen lives about 10 minutes and Julie about 45 minutes away. It is located on Nauvoo Road in Lewisberry, PA about 20 minutes outside of Harrisburg in a rural area.

I miss home! Especially during the fall and winter season. It would be great to breathe the crisp fresh air of a Pennsylvania winter. I grew up in this house- first grade thru high school graduation. Maureen and Julie went thru their high-school years at this house and still live very close after 38 years. I have lived in Bangladesh for ten of the last twenty years. However, in the middle of that was 8 years at home where all four boys were born.

I first came to Bangladesh in August 1987 with Mennonite Central Committee to work in Agriculture. I moved on to micro credit with World Concern in the mid nineties and then children with Compassion starting in 2003. I always think it is funny that a forty-four old man with a kids heart is still homesick. There is no question that home is where Nita and the boys are located but still good old Lewisberry calls to me. I’m not sure Nita feels the same way or the boys but we all call it home and we know where home is.

We continue to believe we are doing God’s work in Bangladesh and Asia. The picture of the Stouts' Homestead is from our visit to the states for Elliot's wedding in Oct 2007.

Today was a Wedding Day in Bangladesh

9 Nov 07

Dipty and James Penner were married today in Old Dhaka, Church of Bangladesh. Dipty is from Bangladesh (actually from the Santel tribal group) and James is from England. We have known Dipty for the last four years and she has spent a lot of time at our house in Bangladesh. She is good friend of Prova, Nita’s younger sister who lives with us. Prova and Dipty went to college together back in the mid nineties. James works in Development for the Church of Bangladesh in Merherpur (western BD). Church of Bangladesh is from the line of Anglican churches. So it was a very traditional wedding in an old cathedral.

Charles played the keyboard and sang during the prelude, ‘Testify to Love’ by Avalon. Prova was the maid-of-honor and Chad was the ring bearer. I’m not sure why but in Bangladesh people love are boys and think Chad is so neat with his long hair. He does look like a rock star with his Panjabi on, in the order of Jim Morrison of the rock group- Doors.

I have included pictures of our family with the newly weds; Stout family in the church; and David & Shannon Snowdon beside Rob Enns. David is the principal of Grace, Shannon is Chad’s teacher and Rob is an old friend from our MCC days. Everybody at this wedding dressed in traditional Bangladesh clothes- sarees for the women and panjabis for the men. Even little girls wore cute sarees. In USA, people make fun of Nita and I when we wear Bengali clothing.

PS: The boys love wedding food over here: plau rice with chicken korma curry!

Nephews’ Visit- Part 3 of 3

Nick Forry in Media, PA

Nick is the smart, only son of my oldest sister, Maureen. He lives and work down around Philly, PA. Only Charles, Chase and I made this trip. It was great to see where Nick’s live and visit Brooke, his fiancé. It took us two and half hours to get there on Thursday evening because of the traffic. We met Nick at his apartment and went out to dinner with Brooke and him to a local Microbrewery. Media is a cute little town where you can walk to everything. After dinner we watched Rutgers beat South Florida University in a very good college football game.

After breakfast we went to a nearby park to play wiffle ball. It was Nick and Chase vs Charles and Dad. It was a lot of fun on a fall day. On the way back to the apartment we stopped and pick-up Philly Cheese Steak for lunch- say ‘YES!!!!”

Nick is my oldest Nephew and we go back a long way so it is always great to spend time with him. The picture is of Brooke and him from Elliot’s wedding.

Nephews’ Visit- Part 2 of 3

Evan Moore at Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania.

During our visit to the USA, 13-22 October we went out to visit Evan in his new college. Evan graduated from Biglerville High School in May and started at Grove City this fall.

Evan is a multiple talented, good looking, tall young man. Charles, Chase, Mom and I drove out on Tuesday and came back on Wednesday afternoon. Its about a four and half hour drive from Harrisburg to Grove City, PA. Grove City is above Pittsburgh, PA. It was a beautiful drive with the leaves turning colors.

We made it in time to see Evan’s soccer game. He plays midfield for the college. They had a bad game loosing 4-0 but it was good to see him play. After the game, we took Evan to Hoss’s for supper. The boys and I don’t get salad bars in Bangladesh so it was a treat for us, if not for Evan and Mimi. We then took Evan back to his dorm and we went to a hotel for the night.

On Wednesday morning, we met Evan at the Student Union. Grove City has a beautiful campus. Evan showed us around the campus and his dorm room. Grove City is a Christian College. After the tour, we went to Wendy’s for lunch. We said our goodbyes and headed back to Harrisburg, PA. I have attached pictures of; Evan and Mimi in the dorm room; Evan, Mimi and the boys under an arch; and Evan with his, old looking, Uncle Kevin.

Nephews’ Visit- Part 1 or 3

Elliot and Lauren Moore Wedding

Elliot is my first nephew or niece to get married and there was no way I was going to miss the wedding. It is a privilege to be an uncle of 6 nephews and 2 nieces! I think it is important to be a good uncle or aunt- we need more uncle and aunts to take-interest, and do things with their nephews and nieces.

Charles, Chase, and I headed to the USA on 13 Oct for Elliot and Lauren’s wedding on 14 Oct. Elliot is my sister, Julie’s oldest son. He graduated from Cedarville University in May. His wife Lauren also graduated from Cedarville. They were married on 14 Oct at 3:30 p.m. in Fredrick, Maryland. It was a beautiful wedding and a gorgeous fall day- if only we could have a fall day in Bangladesh. As you can see by the picture my sister, Julie has a beautiful/handsome family. Only three of us went because we didn’t have enough money for the full family to fly home. It isn’t cheap when you fly 6 people roundtrip from Dhaka, Bangladesh to USA.

We had a great time at the wedding seeing Elliot and Lauren and all our relatives! I have include pictures of Elliot and Lauren; Julie and her daughter, Olivia; and Evan with Charles and Chase. I know I’m bias but Lauren, Olivia and Julie were the prettiest people there. Julie did a great job with Olivia’s and her hair.

The reception was at a very nice country club. We left around 9:30 p.m. Mom had to drive because jet lag was hitting me hard.

Teenager in the House

Well the first fruit of our marriage is now a teenager. Charles Eugene Stout II turned thirteen on 4 Oct 2007. He had a great birthday party with bowling, homemade pizza, French fries, chocolate cake and a sleep-over. He is definitely getting older but the Lord is with him. His life verse is: Mathew 5:13, 14, 16 “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

The picture includes a group photo, and Charles blowing out candles. His friends come from Denmark/Bangladesh, Korea, USA, and Bangladesh.

In addition, I added two pictures of his performances on the keyboard (playing and singing). One is from the church worship team- he lead them in ‘My Jesus, My Savior’ in September 07. The other one is from a wedding he sang in today, 9 Nov 07. He soloed on, ‘Testify to Love’ by Avalon.

Praise and Prayers

Thank you all for the prayers. The boys are healthy, Nita is healthy, and I’m about 90% back to normal. I still should have a Liver Function Test to see what my blood condition is in, hopefully have that in the near future. I talked last week at a youth workers conference here in Bangladesh. It was a three-day conference with 650 youth workers from all around the country- that is a great turn out. I talked about how Jesus followed God’s example, then Paul followed Jesus’ example, then Timothy followed Paul’s example, and then Paul encourages all of us to; “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” in Titus 2:7-8.

Praise:

Health of Stout family

Youth Workers Conference

Prayer:

Kevin’s Travels; 12-18 China and 19-23 Thailand

Special Prayers for Grace International School (boys’ school)

• Sharon-teacher’s husband, Jim (heart problem)
• Jan Robinson’s health- teacher
• Shannon Snowdon’s health- teacher
• Claire-teacher’s husband, Julian (health)
• Dianne-teacher’s health
• Security Clearance for teachers so they can get visas
• Sabbir (employment needed)
• Dex Serve Business Manager needed
• Grace Accountant needed
• Recruitment for new principal (God guidance and will)
• Recruitment for new teachers (08/09)
• Board of Investment (visas)

Let us not give up meeting together…but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25