Lutheran Church of Prayer

Lutheran Church of Prayer
Bakersfield, California
Outreach

Outreach
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Before The Single, Largest Natural Disaster in Modern History. . .
On December 24, 2004, just off the western coast of the Island of Sumatra (one of the islands which makes up the nation of Indonesia), a 9.2 earthquake shook an area on the northern part of that island known as Aceh (pronounced "ah-chay") Province. Just fifteen minutes later, while the residents were still reeling from the damage and injuries caused by the quake, a fifty-foot tidal wave hit the the area. These pictures depict a portion of the city of Banda Aceh, capital of Aceh Province, which was destroyed by the killer wave.

These before and after pictures are startling. One third of Banda Aceh City, a community with a population similar to Bakersfield's, was completely destroyed. Another third was severely damaged, and the remaining third escaped the ravages of the tsunami. Reports indicate that the wave came across the ocean at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour.

Of the survivors, thousands lost everything they had. Over two and a half years later, about forty percent of those whose homes were destroyed still live in temporary housing. The devastating loss was felt by every person of the community. Some survivors lost as many as fifty family members in the disaster. The tsunami took over 220,000 lives that day; 90,000 of those who died were in Banda Aceh City. In total, Indonesia lost 169,000 people.

In Banda Aceh City alone, over 900 schools were damaged or destroyed. 30,000 students and over 1,200 teachers from these schools lost their lives.

The World Responds. . .
Relief organizations from around the world went into action almost immediately to help the areas affected by the tsunami. But the devastation was so vast, and spread over so many countries and across oceans, the task seemed almost impossible. It is estimated that recovery from this disaster will take five to ten years. The LCMS (through LCMS World Missions and LCMS World Relief) has been doing their part, and in Banda Aceh City their efforts have included: providing emergency medical tents, providing permanent housing for tsunami victims by working with Habitat for Humanity, providing textbooks (over 25,000 so far, but more are needed!), assisting victims in recreating ways of making a living, and building community centers in affected areas.

In these community centers, LCMS workers and volunteers have an opportunity to build relationships with individuals in this mostly Muslim population. Here they are able to serve families in the community by providing daycare, as well as a place where children can be taught and tutored, where children and adults can learn skills that are not taught in schools (like learning how to use a computer), and where children and adults can personally experience God's love.

There is much work to be done, and help is needed!

'...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:35-40 NIV