As the death toll continues to rise from the December 26th Indian Ocean tsunami, Christian organizations are responding with food, water, medicine and tents for the survivors in the coastal communities swept by the tidal wave. InterVarsity’s urbana.org website has more on how you can respond compassionately, quickly and effectively to this natural disaster. InterVarsity is a member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, which has member movements in Indonesia, India, Thailand and other affected countries. The IFES website is being updated with the latest information from the affected areas and from affected staff.
The tidal wave struck just as the Union of Evangelical Students of India was preparing to observe its 50th anniversary in Vijayawada. While the observance was not directly impacted, IFES South Asia Regional Secretary Ravi David reports that news has been received of a UESI graduate who lost three of his children in the tsunami. Also one Sri Lankan staff worker’s wife’s father and sister lost their lives and some additional family members are still missing.
In a follow-up communication, Ravi David reported:
“At the conference, the offering that was collected at the Watch Night service is being donated to World Vision and EFICOR (Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief) towards relief operations. Several Christian NGOs like World Vision, EFICOR, ESAF (Evangelical Social Action Forum) and EHA (Emmanuel Hospital Association) are actively involved in the relief operations, and several of our UESI graduates are involved in these organisations, both as leaders and as staff. We therefore are routing contributions received by UESI through these and other well respected agencies, besides seeking to provide personal pastoral care to individuals and families that our members personally know.
“The needs are huge. Besides coping with loss of life and property, there is a huge task of rebuilding lives that have been shattered. Much prayer is needed as several agencies are trying to meet these needs. The news of the devastation and loss of life has deeply grieved all of us. We deeply appreciate the prayers and concern of the members of the IFES family.”
Mission Network News reports the Southern Baptist International Mission Board hopes to work in areas that are anti-Christian. “Many of the coastlines that have been devastated are in places where Christians are very heavily persecuted,” says the IMB’s Erich Bridges. “This may be an opportunity as local believers and relief workers from other places come in and provide love and assistance, that people will see the face of Christ and that they will respond.” While Bridges doesn’t understand why disasters occur, he’s resting on God’s sovereignty, the MNN report says. “Through the ages we do see that He, again and again and again, works through wars and natural disasters and massive tragedies to open very large doors that have been very tightly closed.” MNN concludes: “Pray that this happens in this situation.” Additional information at www.worldconnex.org .
