Global Disaster ... Global Compassion
9/11/01 was a defining moment for our world in part for igniting the Global War on Terror. So too 12/26/04, or more specifically the world's collective response to it, can redefine Global Compassion. The scope of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami has claimed at least 135,000 lives (as of 12/31) in 11 nations spanning two continents. Indonesia alone has confirmed 79,940 deaths. (Visit CNN.com for a country by country breakdown.) Where was God in the tragedy? It's impossible to say for sure, but we do know where God is in its aftermath: walking among the broken people; comforting shattered lives; mending battered bodies; restoring families and villages with dwellings; loving each person individually and every nation communally. His agents of compassion? People like you and me who love God with everything we have and our neighbors as ourselves. This unprecedented horror provides an unprecedented opportunity for Christians the world over to respond with unprecedented Compassion. It's perhaps not a coincedence that the nations hardest hit fall squarely within the so-called 10/40 window that Evangelicals have been praying for for decades. Now is time to put our money and our lives where our words and prayers have been and become the answers to our and others' prayers. Not to preach at victims, but to love them unconditionally as Christ loves us. Below are four global relief ministries that were integral parners for New York Christians in responding locally to 9/11. They are similarly at the vangaurd of compassion in the wake of the tsunami.
As you pray, please consider a donation or perhaps even volunteering.Northwest Medical Teams World Vision Operation Blessing Samaritan's Purse World Harvest/Somebody Cares Indonesia
December 31, 2004 Today Dr. Hartadi [of World Harvest] spent the day with [a representative of the Indonesian Navy] arranging for the shipping of medicine to Meulaboh, which is located on the western coast of Aceh province. [Meulaboh] experienced the full force of the tsunami, with over 10,000 casualties from that city alone.
The tidal wave destroyed all roads leading to the city, leaving shipping as the only means of transporting goods. World Harvest/Somebody Cares Indonesia is using ships of the Indonesian Navy to transport its relief supplies. Today's shipment is earmarked for the Navy Hospital in Meulaboh which is treating the survivors of last Sunday's disaster. We spoke with him at 6pm and the medicines were being loaded on the ship. This is our second shipment to Aceh and another one ready to be shipped to Banda Aceh (capital city of Aceh), but no TNI AL (Navy) ships sailed for Aceh today. On Monday we will receive another Rp100jt($11,000) of medicines (from the Rp150jt ordered on Friday) and will arrange for delivery. Additional supplies will be ordered to acommodate the need there. Today, our Indonesian vice president Lew Belcourt were on duty with the American Embassy at Halim Airport. We loaded 2 airplanes with donated items from many NGO's and also supplies bought with money from USAID. There were 30 trucks of goods, filled up the 2 airplanes and had to turn back 15 trucks. Many people are frustrated because they have goods, but no way to get them to Aceh. There is a warehouse full of goods at Halim (and I hear also at Tanjung Priok), but no way to get them to Aceh. The trucks were filled with rice, biscuits, tents, body bags, water. BUT, there was no medicine! This confirms two things to us: 1. World Harvest/ Somebody cares Indonesia is doing the right thing using TNI connections. Other agencies are frustrated because they can't get their goods to Aceh. World Harvest goods, when purchased, have priority and are put on the ships! 2. Buying medicine is the correct priority. World Harvest/Somebody cares Indonesia cannot compete with USAID, World Food Programme, etc., in buying food. But no one is giving medicines to the military hospitals. And, we can follow up later to re-equip hospitals in Aceh with our partner in USA. [For regular updates from World Harvest/Somebody Cares Indonesia, please visit http://www.worldharvest.cc/.]
posted by Jeremy Del Rio @ 12/29/2004 02:45:00 PM
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