Baldaeus Theological College,
Disaster Relief Update, Jan 26, 2005
Dear Friends,
All the shops are closed today, 26th, remembering the 32,000 who lost their
lives just one short month ago.
This past weekend we attended a Thanksgiving
Service for the life of Mrs. Rosalind Kiruparaj in Batticaloa. Her family
were one of the more 'fortunate' ones, they found her body and were able to
embalm and bury her, unlike the many who have no idea of where the bodies of
their loved ones went, whether they were among the many washed up and
quickly burnt just south of Batticaloa, or just disintegrated in the sea. In
one Batticaloa community alone the sea took 1000 of the 1800 folk living
there.
Visiting the area it is amazing that any escaped, with the sea on one
side and the lagoon on the other, the wave came in its full height and
destructive power from both sides. The whole community was totally raised to
the ground, quite literally as the waves' force also came from underground,
pushing up foundations causing the houses to crumble in seconds. The people
had just a few moments to run out of their houses, to the nearest main road
in search of safety, some were saved by clinging to electricity posts but
many found no place of safety and were swallowed by the watery monster. The
devastation is incredible. Now brick walls just lie broken and
the contents of the houses, from beds, TV's to Christmas cards and trees
cover the whole area. It will take much to rebuild such communities and
lives again. In so many families you hear of 2 or 1 left out of five, while others
lost 25-30 members of their extended families. Men who went out to work
returned to find their wives and children dead and their homes
demolished. Such destruction and despair in a few short but terrifying
minutes one short month ago.
Yet it is so encouraging to see how many from all around the world have
responded in giving and coming over to help: men from Texas cleaning wells,
doctors from Cuba, counsellors from France....all doing what they can to
alleviate suffering, heal and rebuild lives and communties.
One of our past students brought us a list today of 1500 local school
children who lost virtually all they have to the Tsunami. They need shoes,
underwear, school books, pens, pencils, etc. We plan to send our students to
the local schools to distribute these items individually to the children.
Hopefully we can not only supply their physical needs but also their
spiritual needs and share something of the the message of truth, love and
forgiveness by a wonderful Saviour, in whom alone is hope.
Thank you for standing with us in this labour of love,
Yours in Christ,
Jaqui
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