February 12, 2009

DEATH TOLL INCLUDES KNOWN CHRISTIANS

 As the lists of those killed in the Victorian fires of February 7 continues to increase, names of known Christians are becoming clearer.

 Kim Cain, Communications Director for the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, said at least one Uniting Church member – an elder at Kinglake – has died in the fires and many Uniting Church families have lost their homes and farms.

The Hon Peter Costello MP announced in Federal Parliament, that a friend of his, David Stokes perished while defending his farm at Upper Plenty.

 “I shared many camps with him when working for OAC (Open Air Campaigners) Ministries. I want to say to Jenice and his family that our thoughts and our prayers go to you. He was a loving father, a faithful husband, a committed Christian and a hardworking farmer. We do not know why he was taken but our hope and our consolation is in our faith and his faith. These are questions that we will never be able to answer.”

 It has been reported that the team and six residents of Betel Australia, Marysville, a ministry of WEC International, only had time to jump into cars with the clothes on their back, such was the speed of the approaching fire. In the confusion, one female member of the team, Lian Tan (63) was missing.

 On Wednesday (Feb 11), WEC International reported that Bian's family has realised that Bian will not now be found alive and has issued a public notice announcing her passing. Bian had actually retired from WEC, but chose to stay on at Betel because of her love for the ministry.

 “We can only try to imagine their grief, pray for them, and as appropriate communicate our care. Her brother Alan has flown from Perth, and brothers Teng Yang and Teng Hong from Malaysia, to join brother Justin, his wife Ina and their family in Melbourne.”

Messages of condolence can be sent to them at the home of Justin and Ina Tan 4 Danene Court Vermont South VIC. 3133,

or to Justin's email address jtan@bcvchinese.org.au