For many living in the United States, the day after Christmas brings a trip to the mall to return unwanted gifts, or a relaxing day in front of the TV soaking up the end of the NFL season. But for thousands in southern Asia, this Dec. 26 brought terror, devastation and death as giant waves, caused by the most powerful earthquake on Earth in 40 years, crashed in around them.
According to the Associated Press, the magnitude 9.0 quake struck about 7 a.m. Sunday (7 p.m. ET Saturday) and was centered 100 miles off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island. The quake then triggered deadly tidal waves, called tsunami, that swept across the Indian Ocean from Thailand to Somalia, killing an estimated 23,000 people.
As families in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand try to determine what to do next, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), New Directions International, World Vision and Gospel for Asia – among other groups – are developing plans that will put the love and spirit of Christmas into action.
“The devastation has left everybody in shock,“ J.L. Williams, founder and CEO of New Directions International (NDI), told Crosswalk.com by phone today. “It is comparable to a natural Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Everybody is reeling under the massive weight and magnitude of this disaster, and trying to strike where they can.”
Connecting with key national ministries and leaders – the heartbeat of NDI’s approach to missions – is particularly valuable at a time like this, says Williams. “Whereas it takes large government organizations time to respond because they have to fly in their own people and set up their own infrastructure, we have people who live there. They are on the ground 24/7. They know the country and know the culture, and can respond immediately in a way that expatriates just aren’t able to. That’s why we are glad we have these partnerships and relationships that we can stand alongside and give them the resources.”
