by Jotham Johann Jhang

No one expected the devastating earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004.  Practically the entire world is still reeling from the effects of this disaster.

     Beside the substantial amounts of aid which will be deployed to South Asia in the coming months, countries and organizations will be sending enormous assistance of many kinds for numerous years to rebuild infrastructure, among other things.  Lutheran World Relief, LCMS World Relief, numerous Christian organizations and many charities will have tremendous responsibilities in the months and years ahead.

     While helping with emergency relief, recovery, and rebuilding in South Asia, we, as Christians, have a tremendous opportunity to share the Good News.  Many of the surviving family members and kin in South Asia or North America, of those who passed on, have no knowledge or assurance of eternal salvation through faith in Christ.

     The 97% of the over 2 billion Asian peoples in Asia and North America who are unchurched will have many questions for us Christians.  We will answer that God did not cause this disaster.  Could God have stopped this disaster from taking place?  Yes, but He decided not to, out of His wisdom and for the good.  

     These responses will be difficult for them to digest, but they will hear our replies in the context of our love. They will see our efforts to help them and their families. They will see God’s love in the midst of devastation, death and chaos. We pray that they will hear the sweet Gospel in the din of their disturbed,shattered lives and bitter ruin.  We pray that they will hear the Gospel not only as we bring sanitary water to them, but through the living water of Christ’s baptism.  We pray that they will hear the Gospel not only as we bring food to them, but through the bread of life and the word of life which truly feeds them. We pray that they will hear the Gospel not only as we bring shelter to them, but through the refuge of Christ’s mercy and grace.  

     We will explain that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. As the wages of sin is death, all of us will die some day.  Whether it is in the midst of an unexpected tornado or tsunami, or on our own bed in our home, we will all pass on.

     However, we will also explain with great joy that we have a new life in Christ. We will share that Christ  awaits us in heaven and  will     

receive those in heaven who have faith in the everlasting life we have through Him.    

      We are well aware that this tsunami is not the only disaster in the world today.  The United Nations states that about 1.2 billion of the world’s population lives on less than $1 per day.  Approximately 800 million people go to bed hungry every night. 115 million children do not go to school.  In addition, 1400 women a day die because they do not receive basic health care during pregnancy and delivery.  More than 1.6 million children die each year from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.  Nearly 3.6 million people have been killed in civil wars since 1990.

     But perhaps just as appalling a statistic is that 97% of over 2 billion Asian peoples are unchurched.  Well over 90% of these people do not have faith in Christ Jesus and are headed towards the eternal fires of hell. I urge you to share this disastrous situation with your Lutheran and Christian friends.    

     As the Spirit moves you, I urge you to respond.  Prayers, donations, befriending Asian neighbors, and sharing the Gospel are all wonderful ways of contributing to meet this disastrous situation.

    The next page of this newsletter includes various ways you can work and partner with CAME to share the Gospel in the midst of disaster. CAME will also be responding to the tsunami disaster/opportunity.  We will be sending support for relief efforts in Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. Our efforts will focus on helping to provide needed items, such as blankets and food as well as providing Christian counseling to those who have lost loved ones or been displaced. You are welcome to share in that response.

    If you would like to be a part of our tsunami aid effort, simply note “tsunami relief” on your check or gift envelope. Thanks for all that you have done and do through CAME to bring the Gospel to tens of thousands of Asian peoples.  May Christ work His Gospel through you and May He richly bless you in 2005! - Jotham

Dr. Jotham Johann Jhang
Executive Director
CAME

  

 
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