Indonesia (MNN) — This weekend will mark the three month anniversary of the tsunami that struck 12 countries in Asia, leaving thousands dead, missing, injured and homeless. While it’s not headlining news networks around the world any more, the needs are still great. That’s why Global Aid Network , or GaiN-USA is encouraging Christians not to forget about it. Especially when you consider that this is a chance for Christians to make a difference in areas like Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation.
Christians have been nearly non-existent in Banda Aceh because of its radical Muslim element there. GAiN’s Duane Zook says to forget about this region would be disastrous. “This is a short time to go in there and make an impact to demonstrate God’s love because people are asking questions. And, if we don’t respond now, it’ll go back to the way it was and it may even get worse.”
In addition to the emergency relief efforts, GAiN is helping fisherman get back on their feet and they’re sending a short term medical team into the region. He says the needs are expensive. “The bottom line budget for just the minimum of what we’d like to do is just under $1 million dollars, now that includes some immediate emergency relief, but also long-term sustainable development projects.”
This help is essential, says Zook, because it’s causing people to ask questions. “Why (doesn’t) this group care or why doesn’t that group care? Why is it that you as Christians care so much? — So it’s opening tremendous doors to share our faith.”
You can help GAiN by going to their website http://www.GAiNusa.org.
