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Not only had they lost their family members (40,000 dead and 10,000 not accounted for), their homes, their businesses, their jobs but they have lost hope. They have no idea as to what the future might bring for them. Above all, they do not know Jesus as their personal savior. What help are they receiving? Various organization and We were told that almost one year to the day before the tsunami, the Sri Lankan government had ordered over 1,200 Christian churches to be closed in Sri Lanka. Today, God has used the tsunami to open up the door for Christians to once again be recognized in Sri Lanka. Does that mean we can be free to evangelize? In order to answer this I would need to explain the “two handed approach” to fulfilling the Great Commission. On the one hand the Bible says, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”. On the other hand Jesus said to go and give a cup of cold water, to help the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe those needing clothing, comfort those who are sorrowful and do it in Jesus' name. Is that not evangelism? Remember, God is the one who draws people unto Himself. He many times uses the Bible message of salvation and other times he uses His love shown through us in a tangible way. Many times we were asked to come and see their house. Most of the time there was nothing there except a cement slab where their house once stood or a house with only one or two walls still standing. Others took you to where their place of business once stood.There was the carpenter with no saw or hammer, the mechanic with no wrenches. Then there was the fishermen with boats that were broken in half or in many pieces and nets that were nowhere to be found. All of this shared with us hoping that we can help them in someway. You feel so helpless. You wonder, what canI do to help I determined that I would come home and ask everyone I could to help make a difference to “that one, two, fifty, a hundred or more”. How can you make a difference to “that one”, that one for whom Jesus died, that one who needs a cup of cold water, a house over their head, a fishing boat and nets, some carpenter or mechanic tools, some medical help, some pots to cook in or dishes to eat from. Will you help me help “that one” in the name of Jesus? Will you take the responsibility to help make a difference for “that one”? There are thousands of “that ones” that need our help. Paul Hattaway, Director of Asia Harvest said. “Please don't
be put off from extending help because of the millions of dollars coming
in from governments (Red Cross, OXFAM, etc.). The need is more than
just containers of supplies. It is a “human factor” need.
They can't meet that. Only the Body of Christ is empowered to minister
healing and peace and comfort. It is more than throwing mineral bottle
water from moving trucks and feeling like they have done their part.
It is about sitting down with a mother, who has lost her husband and
children, and praying with her and helping her to put the bottle of
water on her lips and nourish her…ONLY THE CHURCH CAN.” As we work with Pastor Sona, his wife Depany, Celeste and his wife
Jayroni, our country coordinator and Dr. Ding Maguel, the project manager,
will you hold these people up in prayer. Some of you have said that
you want to help.However, because of the sensitivity about sharing the
Gospel in Sri Lanka and the need to protect the organization under which
we operate, we cannot print the giving information. If you wish to give
a gift, contact me and I will let you know the specifics. By praying and giving, we can make a difference for the “that one” or for many “that ones”. You will help us soften the soil for the seeds of the Gospel. I want to thank you again for helping to share Jesus love in a tangible way.
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Making
a difference I have just returned from the Tsunami disaster in Sri
Lanka. “How was it?” That is what everyone asks. I am stumped
for words. Even though I am not outwardly emotional, tears come to my
eyes and a great emotion is felt within. While in Sri Lanka, I would
call home and I had a hard time talking because of the great burden
I felt inside to help these desperate people. 
What
was it like? It was as if a tornado, hurricane and earthquake had hit
the country all at once. The main roads had been clear of debris but
everywhere else there were bricks, glass and building parts all mixed
together as though a giant mixer had stirred them up and poured them
out. Different countries had furnished tents for shelter but all around
them was the debris of the Tsunami. Most of the tents were made for
colder climates and the temperature in Sri Lanka is in the high 90s
with humidity just as high. As you can imagine the tents inside were
20-30 degrees hotter.
countries
were there at the beginning but where are they now? We were only able
to see two or three organizations helping three months after the Tsunami.
When people were asked if their government was helping, without exception,
they responded, “Government no help”. It is our understanding
that the Sri Lankan government is taking control of everything that
is shipped for humanitarian purposes no matter to whom it is shipped.
They say that they will distribute these goods.
What
is it like to stand in a bus station near a shopping area and know that
where you are standing that there were over 1,000 people who died? Your
heart is broken, especially when you know that most all of them never
heard of Jesus' love and forgiveness that was available to them. Or
you stand beside a train that was hit by the tsunami and know that maybe
as many as 2,500 peoplepassed into eternity in a matter of minutes or
seconds. You are overwhelmed with sorrow and asks, did anyone love them
enough to tell them of Jesus.
Why
were we there? There were 14 on our team, made up mostly of doctors,
nurses and medical people. We were working under the guidance of the
Sri Lankan Medical Officer of Health in the area of the city of Galle.
We were holding clinics in many of the tent camps that were set up,
where one, two or three families lived in a tent. We were able to do
primary care, cleaning wounds, giving worm medicines to adults and children,
vitamins to everyone, medications for high blood pressure, various pain
medications but most of all we shared Jesus love in a tangible way.
We lent our ear to listen to their story; many of their stories were
of the death of their child, husband, wife or parent(s).
them,
there are so many. Often I was reminded of a story of an elderly gentleman
that was walking the sea shore early in the morning as the hot sun was
coming up. Up ahead he saw the silhouette of a person bending down and
then standing up. As he approached, he sawthousands of starfish that
had washed up on the sandy beach. The hot sun would soon dry them out
and they would die. There was a little boy picking them up one at a
time and throwing them back into the sea. The elderly man said to the
boy, you'll never make a difference, there are too many. As the boy
reached down and picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea
he said, “It made a difference to that one”.
