At the present time the destruction is so vast that we have not been able to get very specific details on the number of churches and Christians affected. The tsunami hit us on a Sunday morning while thousands were at church services. From the information we received thousands of churches have been affected and some congregations were wiped out by the tidal wave. There were also Christian orphanages with children who were greatly affected by this. Some children were swept away and their bodies were recovered later.

As there is a shortage of coffins many are being buried in polythene bags or wrapped in mats. A pastor spoke to me and mentioned how most of the bodies have decomposed and some in the east have been partially eaten by the crocodiles in the lagoon. He was speaking to me full of emotions after burying his own niece, his junior pastor’s wife and two children.”

Thank you very much to all who have given to assist. The death toll in the worst ever natural disaster continues to mount. Yesterday the Indonesian Vice-President estimated that in his country alone there are over 80,000 dead, with a further 200,000 homeless, many of whom are injured.

Many Christians are among the Indonesians afflicted by this disaster. The islands which lie off the western coast of Sumatra are inhabited by many Christians, particularly Nias island, where Christians are known to have died. There is little news as yet of what has happened to these islanders; the earthquake flattened their buildings and within seconds the tsunami wave followed. It is hard to imagine that anything remains now of the many little fishing villages on their shores. No one knows how many are dead. They have not been counted in the Vice-President’s figures. The most northerly island, Simeulue, lies almost over the epicentre of the earthquake.

Even in Indonesia’s Aceh Province, which is 99.9% Muslim, Christians have died and many Christians are among the missing.

Barnabas Fund is sending help in two phases.

1. Barnabas Fund is sending funds for emergency relief. Already we have sent £143,000 for urgent needs in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India – food, water, medicine, clothes, latrines, tents, cooking utensils, sleeping mats etc. More will be sent as it is needed, particularly for Indonesia, as the extent of destruction on Nias and the other islands near Sumatra becomes known. We will be making a special focus on the Christian communities of these devastated Indonesian islands.

2. When these urgent needs have been met, the second stage will quickly follow – that is, to help re-construct the Christian communities – houses, churches, livelihoods (fishing boats etc.). Barnabas Fund will be there to help with this as well. We are already discussing with our partners this second stage.

Many Barnabas Fund supporters have already given generously, for which we are most grateful. If you have not given yet to the emergency needs, please help.

Can your church take up a special offering NOW for the emergency relief?

Can your church also be involved with Barnabas Fund’s assistance for the reconstruction phase, which we expect will start in a few weeks’ time?

Gifts sent to Barnabas Fund are channelled through our Christian partners who have existing ministries in the areas of need.

***
Earthquake And Tsunami:
Aid For Christian Victims Project 00-534

Between 29th and 31st December 2004, Barnabas Fund sent grants totalling £143,000 (US$271,700; NZ$386,100, A$357,500, €200,200) to help mainly Christian victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

Breakdown:
Sri Lanka £78,000
India (including Andaman & Nicobar Islands) £60,000
Indonesia £5,000

More funds will be sent to Indonesia shortly.

For news and updates on Christian communities affected by the recent Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami please click here.

It is heart-warming to see how many agencies have already got involved in the relief effort. Barnabas Fund is offering a channel for Christians who would like to give their help for the disaster victims specifically to other Christians. We have already sent £143,000 to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia for emergency relief. Our intention is to send not only short-term aid but also long-term assistance for reconstructing Christian homes, churches and communities.

All donations sent to Barnabas Fund for this need will be forwarded to our network of Christian partners in the region. Although our primary aim is to help the neediest national Christians who have suffered in this disaster, we recognise that our Christian partners on the ground may also at times be distributing their help more broadly. (Please quote project reference 00-534 when you send your gift.)

Please click here to donate online using our secure server.

If you prefer to telephone please use this number:
+44 1672 565 031 (from within the UK phone 01672 565 031).

All donations sent to Barnabas Fund for this need will be forwarded to our network of Christian partners in the region. Although our primary aim is to help the neediest national Christians who have suffered in this disaster, we recognise that our Christian partners on the ground may also at times be distributing their help more broadly. (Please quote project reference 00-534 when you send your gift.)

Please go tohttps://www.secure-server-hosting.com/secutran/secureforms/SH202687/Donation
_Form.htm
to donate online using our secure server.

If you prefer to send a cheque, go to
http://www.barnabasfund.org/About/contact.htm for addresses of our regional offices and to print a donation page.

PRAY

Please pray at this time for our Christian brothers and sisters as well as
for all others who have suffered so terribly in the eleven countries
affected by the earthquake and tsunami on 26th December. Pray also for all who are seeking to bring relief and aid to the disaster victims.

END