Tsunami Story: Remembering 2004

After the December 2004 Asian tsunami, India Partners responded immediately. Within one hour, one of our partners, Orphans Faith Home (OFH), was providing food, medicine, blankets, and trauma counseling to the hundreds of survivors on the beach. Below is the story of one survivor and the hope that sustained her.

“Fifteen years ago, the sea claimed my husband. He was a fisherman. He died during a cyclone while out at sea in the Bay of Bengal. I have been widowed ever since. My two sons carried on the same trade as my husband, working as fishermen. After my husband died, my sons provided for me. Two years ago, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, though my sons did not. On the morning of Sunday, December 26, 2004, I asked them to go to church with me. They refused my request. Instead, very early that morning they went to work out at sea.

At 8:00, I left my village for church. Half an hour later, the tsunami struck. It killed many young children and elderly people in our village who were not able to escape the wave of water. When I learned about the tsunami, I immediately feared for my sons’ safety. After five days of waiting, I came to accept that my sons had died in the tsunami. I felt so sad because they had not accepted Jesus.

Pastor Babu of Orphans Faith Home (OFH) came to our village, and provided us with food and clothes for 15 days. OFH built some new huts, including one for me. Pastor Babu helped me get started selling dried fish. Now I am making money and providing for myself. I thank God and Pastor Babu for giving me the hope to live.”

Today the need still remains, as disaster relief is a long-term process. Would you consider bringing hope to those still in need?

During our Spring Matching Drive, every dollar you give to our Where Most Needed fund by May 31st will be doubled, up to $5,000. Last year during our Spring Matching Drive we raised $11,932. Will you consider giving a gift of $20, $30 or $50 to our Where Most Needed fund?

In addition, ALL gifts received or pledged by April 30th will count towards matching funds from the Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation. Gifts to our Where Most Needed fund provide for a variety of projects, including when disaster strikes, or for the most pressing needs of those we serve.