01/12/2005: Firsthand Observations of the Tsunami Aftermath
Firsthand Observations of the Tsunami Aftermath
Last week a GFA staff member traveled to Sri Lanka, one of the countries affected by the December 26 tsunami. He visited a village where about 200 people have lost their homes. He was not prepared for what he would see. He wrote of some of the sights in this journal entry:
The destruction is beyond imagination. It's like an F5 tornado came through. Most of the houses were totally destroyed. The houses at the edge of the area of destruction were just a pile of rubble, with personal belongings scattered up in the bushes and trees. Closer to shore, only the foundations and cement floors of the buildings remained in most cases. Even the soil was washed away below the tree root level. Somehow the coconut trees survived, but most of the other vegetation is gone. Only four fishing boats survived the tidal wave, and they all sustained damage. (Families living in coastal areas such as this one depend heavily on fishing for their livelihood.)
We met GFA Pastor Illanko, who is running our relief efforts for the survivors camp. At lunchtime, Pastor Illanko and his team prepared food for the refugees. Rice and several different curry dishes were provided. The children were running and playing on an old merry-go-round. Adults were sitting in groups, quietly talking among themselves. Pastor Illanko went around and talked to some of them.
My heart goes out to these people. This is just one village of tens of thousands of other villages in Asia where the people are suffering. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in their situation. They are the blessed ones because many villages and people are not receiving any aid.
The need is huge. Almost hard to grasp. Six million people in a dozen Asian nations, displaced from their homes. Yet even in the midst of this tragedy, God is working. And you can help make a difference—both for this life and eternity—in precious lives affected by the tsunami. Already more than 1,000 GFA native workers are there, ministering to tsunami survivors with physical relief and the wonderful news of salvation in Christ. (To see a list of specific ways they are reaching out, click here.) And today we have the opportunity to come alongside them with our prayers and financial support so people will receive the message of hope, the love of Jesus. Click here to assist.
