Christians are rebuilding tsunami struck villages in Indonesia

By June 22, 2005

Indonesia (MNN) — On the 26th of June it will be six months to the day that an incredible earthquake shook off the coast of Indonesia sending tsunami waves throughout the Indian Ocean. The results were devastating. Thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars in damage sent relief agencies scrambling to respond.

Compassion International was one such group. Child sponsorship in Jesus’ Name has been its mantra. But, this tragedy pushed them into establishing relief camps initially, and now they’re rebuilding entire villages and helping with livelihood restoration.

Compassion’s Paul Moede, Vice President of Communications says, “We came in contact with one village on the Island of Breueh called Lampuyang. They were hit with three tsunamis 10 minutes apart. Of the village of 1,000 people, only 471 survived.” In the village of Lhoh, only 150 survived. These villages are now being rebuilt in Jesus’ Name by Compassion International.

Moede says friends of Compassion International responded in an incredible way. “We’ve raised about $2.4 million in order to rebuild these communities. And, as of June we had invested about $1.6 million in both relief care and the beginning of the rebuilding of these homes.”

In an area that has, in the past, been anti-Christian, it is now allowing Christians to help. Moede says that’s brought great joy. “For us to be able to come into a situation like this and just minister Christ’s love and to help rebuild homes, to build livelihood restoration, to get people back on their feet, it really is a tremendous opportunity.”

Compassion is no longer raising money for these projects, but they’re asking Christians to pray that they’ll be good stewards of the money God has entrusted them with and that it’ll be used for His honor and glory.

To see photos of Lampuyang copy and paste the following link into your browser http://www.compassion.com/sponsordonor/crisisupdates/rebuildinghomesandrestoringhope.htm?Page=1

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