The response to the appeals for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami has been overwhelming. Many people usually donate generously after disasters but the response on this occasion has covered the length and breadth of the community. Now the question is going to be, "Are we in it for the long haul?'
In his sermon on the national day of mourning and reflection, Archbishop Jensen commented on the need for a long-haul commitment. "The real test of love lies ahead; we are now challenged to keep on [loving our neighbour], since the effects of this tsunami are going to be with us for so long. There are hard times ahead, in which human selfishness will reassert itself."
In other words, we have to be prepared to keep on giving and to be supportive of our Government's regional commitments, especially those with Indonesia; regional rivalries and distrust, and our own inherent national interest and selfishness can't be allowed to get in the way of helping our neighbours in need.
CEO of World Vision and Baptist minister Tim Costello has been quoted frequently saying it will take a generation for countries devastated by the tsunami to recover.
As Christianity Today observed, "the universal language of relief needs no words. Clean water, high-protein food, cooking utensils, cups, water bottles, blankets, tents, mosquito nets to protect from the spread of cholera and malaria " all are tangible phrases in the tongue understood by the victims of the disaster that tore into South Asia.'
These are all part of the immediate, emergency aid urgently required to simply keep survivors alive. Afterwards comes the need for restructuring; new schools, housing, orphanages for child survivors, fishing boats to restore a shattered industry and major food resource, counselling to heal. Anglicans leaders and churches around the affected Indian Ocean region have indicated the pressures upon their nations and people and their need for help.
The Bishop of Colombo in Sri Lanka, the Rt Rev Duleep de Chickera wrote widely to the Anglican Communion: "Many of the dead are the elderly and young children. Over 2,555,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The people are in a state of trauma and shock. There is a need for para-medical and trauma counselling personnel. It is long-term rehabilitation " that is going to be the biggest challenge."
Christ Church Bangkok, a parish of the Diocese of Singapore, has been very active in Thailand, and they have offered prayerful thanks for the generosity and support of Anglicans from many places. Andrew and Suzanne Dircks, formerly of CMS NSW, visited Phuket, delivering a van load of donated clothing and observing the devastation and relief efforts first hand.
The church has set up a special Tsunami Response Team to implement relief response to south-western Thailand. This is viewed as both a long-term commitment on the part of Christ Church, in short, a new ministry. They say that though many victims were overseas tourists, still many local Thai residents "have had more than their share of ruin, injury and loss of life.'
Many Sydney Anglicans have been generous in their support through the Archbishop's Relief and Aid Fund. Much of this support will be channelled to India and Sri Lanka where there are already close contacts and projects being supported. The Indian Gospel League regularly receives support from the Archbishop's Funds and donors can be assured that they will be active in restructuring communities and in rebuilding lives.
In the Indian Ocean there were many victims on the Andaman and Car Nicobar Islands. Bishop Christopher Paul sheltered for some time in a jungle relief camp at Chukchuka. All of the diocese's buildings were destroyed or are near collapse. They are receiving support through the Church of North India.
May each of us learn to see the fragility of our own lives and seek to live each day in his service and for his glory.
