06/22/2005: Tsunami Loss Opens Spiritual Doors
Tsunami Loss Opens Spiritual Doors
Prior to December 26, 2004, the inhabitants of a South Indian village had no interest in hearing about Jesus. But on that day, everything about their lives changed.
The wailing of children who lost their mothers, the sobs of husbands who lost their wives—grief was everywhere. A few short hours after the Asian tsunami hit, one of GFA's native missionaries named Josiah walked amidst the devastation. Josiah went to a government hospital and saw more than 760 dead. His heart broke as he watched children less than six years old weeping from early in the morning until late at night—never eating or drinking. Josiah's work started there, providing food, shelter, water and comfort to the mourners.
Six months later, Josiah continues to comfort the hurting by providing for their physical needs, but he knows this will never quench their thirst for truth.
"Only Jesus is sufficient for them," he says. As Josiah loves them and cares for their needs, the people's interest in Jesus increases. A fellowship of 250 people thirsting for Living Water has now formed.
Josiah works in a village that was formerly closed to everything associated with Jesus. But the tsunami has opened a door to share the Gospel in his village and also in many others. Many villagers in India and Sri Lanka wanted nothing to do with the Gospel until a native missionary wiped their tears and met their needs.
We rejoice that through the tsunami, the Lord is opening a door for GFA to speak about Jesus to ears that were once closed! Please pray for Josiah's fellowship, that all 250 people will be saved. And please pray for the thousands of other GFA native missionaries and Believers Church volunteers who continue to minister to the tens of thousands of tsunami victims still seeking hope for their devastated lives.
