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05 Dec 04 |
Thank you so much for your concern and for being with us. So far the news reports have declared 5000 people dead and almost 400 missing! The saddest is that Aceh, the place most affected has an almost 100% Muslim population, and many had already left for the holy pilgrimage of Haj and others had planned to leave in the next weeks. We share this sadness with India, where about 6000 are reported dead, and with other parts of the world as well.
The news coverage in Jakarta is very moving, so far it was on Christmas and now all the channels are carrying the title "Indonesia is crying". The hope is alive in spite of the disaster and the news says," let us see in faith this whole event and the events of the whole year in the spirit of Jesus being born, of which our Christian brothers and sisters remind us in the celebration of Christmas. That He chooses to be born in our midst in spite of death is our only true and everlasting HOPE."
So far we have had a person of each religion on TV to pray for the victims. Our government, NGOs, rescue services and hundreds of individuals have begun helping the victims both in Indonesia and in other places,especially India and Sri Lanka.
We have felt the support and richness of our international society and we want you to know that your email messages, phone calls and much love and concern give us and our people much strength and hope.
With much love from the Indonesia Area |
