Baldaeus Theological College,
Disaster Relief Update, Jan 17, 2005
Dear Friends,
Last Friday, 14th, a team of students went to distribute some relief
supplies in the Muttur district and again felt keenly the desperate needs of
the people in the south east of the peninsula. This Monday, 17th, another
team made a trip north to Kuchchaveli. Being the second trip it was
encouraging to find ourselves already in the process of building up
relationships with the Grama Sewa's (the village headmen, who oversee the
camps) and the people
themselves.
Now most of the 'camps' are out of the schools and under canvas
with families cooking seperately. Some folk have even ventured to return to
their own
places. A few outstanding needs are still very evident, e.g. women's needs,
and we hope to return with supplies next week sometime, maybe taking a group
of girl students this time. It was good to be able to spend time talking to
people, visiting them in their tents, one family even gave us tea - it is
good to see them in their 'own place' rather than just in a line receiving
goods. Many, believers as well as those of other faiths, testify to real
thankfulness that their lives were not taken, because the Tsunami came on a
Sunday, when not many fishermen were working.
The government has said that the fishermen can go back to the sea by the
20th February. But many boats have been lost, (some estimate as high as 80%
of Sri Lanka's boats!) Providing one boat and the nets, would enable three
families to get back to earning an
income and supporting their families again. (The present cost of one boat,
plus nets is about US$1800).
It is an encouraging step forward to hear folk
talking of going back to sea, a couple of weeks ago, they couldn't even
entertain the thought. Let us continue to pray for these folk, that our
loving Father will continue to heal their minds and their hearts, and
continue to enable us to help them rebuild their lives and families.
In His service,
Jaqui
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