Mercy for the Tsunami Victims

Discovering A Better Life
P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Mercy for Tsunami Victims
Our world has witnessed many natural disasters in the last 50 years. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones and, the most awesome of all, the Tsunami on Sunday, December 26, that struck 11 nations and swallowed up whole communities around the Indian Ocean and has left millions of people devastated. This Tsunami was totally indiscriminate in taking the lives of thousands of people who could not get out of harm's way or who failed to take warnings seriously. Friend, have you ever noticed how we human beings seem to expect sunshine and gentle breezes but refer to earthquakes, cyclones, floods, Tsunamis, etc. as "acts of God"? Perhaps you disagree, but I don't think for a moment that the 11 Asian nations that were hit by the December 26 Tsunami were devastated because of the will of God. Random acts of nature put church buildings and brothels, Good Samaritans and Serial Killers in the path of the same natural disaster. I recently ran across a priceless quote to the effect that anybody who expects life to be gentle with him because he is a decent human being is as naīve as the one who expects a raging bull not to charge because he's a vegetarian. When you and I objectively stop to think of it, most of the health and good fortune - as well as the pain and misery - of this old world are dispensed by chance. And the real value of a Christian's faith is not to exempt us from trouble but to sustain us in having to bear our share of it. I know many Christians are praying daily for the millions of people who have been hurt by the Tsunami, but what has impressed me most is how Australians and the rest of the world have banded together to help God answer those prayers by pulling out all stops to try and reduce the suffering created by the disaster. World Health Organization crisis team leader David Nabarro has said that in the early stages of the aftermath as many as five million Tsunami survivors were not able to access what they needed to live. Therefore, as much as we may have already done, let us seek out and give to reputable charities who are calling for donations to help shelter and feed displaced individuals. Perhaps your denomination or local church is collecting money and supplies to help Asian Tsunami victims. (Let's be sure not to limit our concern to the people whose citizenship, skin colour, and political philosophy is the same as ours). Yes, I've heard the same reports you have about looters taking advantage of their already distressed neighbors. But those are not typical stories. Most of the suffering are huddling together, encouraging each other, and sharing what little they may have. They need to know those of us in safer areas care about them. So today I plead with you to end your reading of what I have written with a prayer for our neighbors in distress - and with a decision about what you will do to help them. Remember, there is no limit to the good you can do if you don't mind who gets the credit! Email me or write to me at P.O Box 1540, Albany W.A 6331. Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418

Mercy for Tsunami Victims

Our world has witnessed many natural disasters in the last 50 years. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones and, the most awesome of all, the Tsunami on Sunday, December 26, that struck 11 nations and swallowed up whole communities around the Indian Ocean and has left millions of people devastated. This Tsunami was totally indiscriminate in taking the lives of thousands of people who could not get out of harm's way or who failed to take warnings seriously.

Friend, have you ever noticed how we human beings seem to expect sunshine and gentle breezes but refer to earthquakes, cyclones, floods, Tsunamis, etc. as "acts of God"? Perhaps you disagree, but I don't think for a moment that the 11 Asian nations that were hit by the December 26 Tsunami were devastated because of the will of God. Random acts of nature put church buildings and brothels, Good Samaritans and Serial Killers in the path of the same natural disaster.

I recently ran across a priceless quote to the effect that anybody who expects life to be gentle with him because he is a decent human being is as naīve as the one who expects a raging bull not to charge because he's a vegetarian. When you and I objectively stop to think of it, most of the health and good fortune - as well as the pain and misery - of this old world are dispensed by chance. And the real value of a Christian's faith is not to exempt us from trouble but to sustain us in having to bear our share of it.

I know many Christians are praying daily for the millions of people who have been hurt by the Tsunami, but what has impressed me most is how Australians and the rest of the world have banded together to help God answer those prayers by pulling out all stops to try and reduce the suffering created by the disaster.

World Health Organization crisis team leader David Nabarro has said that in the early stages of the aftermath as many as five million Tsunami survivors were not able to access what they needed to live. Therefore, as much as we may have already done, let us seek out and give to reputable charities who are calling for donations to help shelter and feed displaced individuals. Perhaps your denomination or local church is collecting money and supplies to help Asian Tsunami victims. (Let's be sure not to limit our concern to the people whose citizenship, skin colour, and political philosophy is the same as ours).

Yes, I've heard the same reports you have about looters taking advantage of their already distressed neighbors. But those are not typical stories. Most of the suffering are huddling together, encouraging each other, and sharing what little they may have. They need to know those of us in safer areas care about them.

So today I plead with you to end your reading of what I have written with a prayer for our neighbors in distress - and with a decision about what you will do to help them.

Remember, there is no limit to the good you can do if you don't mind who gets the credit!

Email me
or write to me at
P.O Box 1540,
Albany W.A 6331.

Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418