TSUNAMI UPDATE-4/25/05

A Deeper Grief

The response by the Acehnese people towards foreign and national aid workers has been very positive. Many of the Indonesians from other parts of the country went to Aceh with a desire to help but fearing that the Acehnese would be hostile towards them, possibly even violent. This comes out of negative propaganda surrounding the years of unrest in the region. The warm welcome that the first Indonesian aid workers received and their positive experience in being able to help has encouraged others to get involved and take the opportunities to share with the Acehnese people on a deeper level.

The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble."

Psalm 9:9

Despite centuries of mistrust of foreigners, almost all those who have been working in Aceh over the last few months have experienced a warm welcome. Caucasian people are generally assumed to be Christian and so it wasn't surprising that in a staunchly Muslim area many villages were warned by some Muslim groups against receiving aid from foreign and Christian organizations. This advice was generally ignored by the Acehnese with some village leaders pointing out that the positive action shown by the foreign and Christian organizations means much more to them than the empty words and inaction that they experienced from others.

Praise God

Praise God For the warm way in which both national and foreign Christians have been received.

Praise God For the positive impression that aid workers have made through their integrity.

Praise God For the first Indonesian Christians, who overcame their fear in order to help those in need. Their positive experiences have opened others up to the possibility of serving the Acehnese.

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The loving concern shown by aid workers brought a great deal of hope and encouragement to people who were suffering incredible shock and grief. The fact that outsiders cared and were willing to do so much to help was a surprise to many Acehnese. While the clean-up continues, the initial stages of reconstruction have begun and some displaced people have been able to move into their new homes, equipped with cooking utensils and with access to clean water.

As the physical needs of people are beginning to be met and their possessions are replaced, they are coming to the realizations that nothing will return life to the way it was before the tsunami. A new house can't make up for the loss of their children, husbands, wives, parents, neighbours and friends. A deeper grief is emerging to replace the initial shock of the disaster.

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Please Pray

Pray that the Acehnese people will cry out to God in their pain and receive a peace that passes understanding through Isa Al Masih (Jesus the Messiah).

Pray that now that time has passed, that the world will not forget the needs in Aceh and will recognize that the job isn't finished when the physical needs have been met.

Pray for more grief counselors to be able to come and work in the region.

Pray for those committed to the relief work as they are often separated from their families, are working long hours and are having to cope with a great deal of stress.