By Alan Brooks - Southeast Asia Assistant Director

Just a little over a year ago, December 26, 2004, tragedy struck with deadly force. One of the largest earthquakes in the world’s history caused a devastating and deadly tsunami. Although news of the tsunami tragedy seems to be old news to many, it is still headlines in the hearts and lives of thousands in Southeast Asia.

More than 250,000 deaths have been reported by the major news and relief organizations. The real total will never be known! Many thousands are still missing and presumed washed out to sea. Buildings are being rebuilt and houses are being repaired, but the social structure has forever been changed. Many families were destroyed by the waves, leaving countless orphans and widows in its wake.

I was recently blessed to lead a construction team on an 18-day project to Mysore, India. We were able to help in the building of a children’s home run by missionaries David and Joanne Divakar. After the tsunami, a young woman approached David and asked him to take her three children. Her husband had been killed by the tsunami. She had gone into prostitution to feed her children and had contracted AIDS. Brother David purchased an old chicken house to make more space for the children. Through the generosity of churches in the States, God supplied the funds for a roof, windows, and bunk beds for the children. What a blessing to see money and time given to help some of these precious children left homeless by the tsunami. The children’s home has provided a very tangible expression of the love of Jesus Christ in the aftermath of the disaster. Much work still waits to be done.