Press Releases
AID NEEDED NOW
NCM Update #4 on Tidal Wave Disaster Relief
Printable Version
“Twelve days since the most powerful earthquake
in 40 years sent massive tsunamis traveling at 500 mph, dissolving
a sunny Sunday morning into a sea of misery and despair, five million
homeless and grieving people still need our help. Their anguish and
pain transcends culture, language, and nationality; their vulnerability
and loss underscores our shared humanity. We recognize all too easily
it could have been us on the beach when a tidal wave of suffering
swept away loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.
But for most of us, there is a major difference. For fishermen in
Cuddalore that were visited by our NCM India Coordinator, their loss
of boats and nets was their loss to a means of survival. They do not
have insurance policies or bank accounts to cover their loss. Among
the five million survivors in refugee camps marked by mud, unsanitary
water, and stark poverty, signs of disease are beginning to appear.
Nazarenes around the world are responding to this terrible disaster
for which we are all grieving. Several students from the Indonesia
Nazarene Theological College in Yogyakarta have volunteered to give
up a semester to be the church’s hands to those who need help,
and many are packing relief supplies for Nias. Dr. Arun Noah from
the Reynolds Hospital in Washim India is preparing medical teams to
help in Sri Lanka. Yesterday morning 2,880 Crisis Care Kits were trucked
to New York for shipment to Sri Lanka.
Off the western coast of Sumatra on Nias Island, called “Ground
Zero” of this disaster, Pastor Zega had been planting a Church
of the Nazarene when the tsunami struck. Plans now include distribution
of medical supplies and cooking utensils, counseling, reconstruction,
and helping to structure a community health care system. Monetary
donations will help greatly with basic supplies to reach this and
other affected areas devastated by the tsunami. “This is the
worst natural disaster known in human history,” stated World
Mission Director Louie Bustle. “Local Nazarenes in the affected
areas are doing an amazing, sacrificial work of reaching out and loving
their neighbors in Christ’s name. We absolutely need to do our
part in resourcing them with what they need to save lives and reach
souls.”
 On-line
using VISA or MasterCard- OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
- and mail to:
General Treasurer
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131
- In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
- and mail to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office
will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.
*** Please note that due to recent congressional
legislation, U.S. donors may be able to deduct a contribution on their
2004 taxes for contributions made in January 2005 that are specifically
marked for Tsunami Relief efforts. NCM will mark checks in January’s
business if they are postmarked by January 31 and received in our
office no later than February 7, 2005. Please consult your tax advisor
if you have questions regarding your specific situation.
NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the
individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand
that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want
to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in
projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2005
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