December 30, 2004

Dear Friends,

The catastrophe caused by Sunday's 'Tsunami' - tidal wave all over India in coastal areas is just terrible.  Our Puthalam beach was also not spared.  A huge wave 15 feet high lashed our beach and water rushed into the whole village.  It was Sunday (26^th December) Samuel, his wife, Kamazh and Samuel's parents-in-law were at the beach Church at 10 a.m.  Samuel's friend from Nagercoil called him and said tidal waves have destroyed many villages around that area and asked Samuel to get out immediately, just then worship service was over.  Samuel immediately alerted the whole village which actually did not impress upon the villagers the seriousness of the situation.  Many people went to the beach to look at the sea.  The water was muddy.

Suddenly like a miracle, the water receded one Kilometer inside and people watched with awe.  Within minutes water rushed back, (may be 20 feet high).  When it got closer to the shore, people started running.  5 old people and a 3 year old boy lost their lives.  Water engulfed the whole village.  In our house water level went up to the ceiling of the ground floor (11 feet), shattered doors and windows.  All compound walls were completely washed off.  All tiled roof houses in the village and even strong concrete structures were washed off.  Most of the villages lost everything except the clothes they were wearing.  Within 15 minutes of Samuel and family leaving the beach, this had happened.  In our house all books, chairs, clothes, mattresses, etc got buried in two feet of sand inside.

Many villagers lost everything including gold ornaments, cash, clothing utensils, etc.  15 people from the village came to our house in Nagercoil and stayed with us for three days.  Through our friends we collected some clothing for them.  We fed them. One girl is doing B.Sc. in a college.  She lost all her books, notes and clothing.  We promised to buy her all books immediately.  None of our church members lost their lives.  I have contacted some of my friends for funds.

Our church is also in a bad shape.  All doors and windows are destroyed.  Doors are pulled off from hinges and broken.  Flooring is also gone.  All hymn books, sound system, key boards, etc. are buried in two feet of sand.  We have to fix new doors and windows and lay the flooring. It will cost us a lot of money ($3000).  The villagers have to start their life from Scrap.  The village looks like a ghost town.  To make things worse there is looting at night since no one is there.  The fishing village at west (Manakudy) is still worse.  Hundreds lost their lives and houses, boats and fishing nets were washed away.

We want to help the villagers as much as possible. We need, as you know funds.  Can you give us some support as an emergency assistance?  Please designate "Flood Relief at Puthalam Beach".  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kenaz Solomon

 

The One Great Hour of Sharing Fund is used to bring emergency relief to victims of natural disasters such as floods, famine, and other situations of emergency both in the United States and around the world.   

Currently, the Missionary Society is accepting One Great Hour of Sharing Funds for Tsunami disaster relief.  Our mission located in Southern India, the Travancore Church Council, was affected by the Tsunami.  A church, belonging to the Council was severely damaged. In nearby fishing villages, hundreds of lives were lost and homes and livelihoods washed away.

Initial OGHS relief efforts will be channeled through our mission in India.  Excess funds and donations received for other countries, affected by the disaster, will be sent through the American Red Cross or Church World Service.  Donations may be made online.  If you choose to mail a check, it should be made payable to the NACCC and designated: OGHS Tsunami.

Additionally, churches or individuals who wish to designate funds for a specific country or region may do so by assigning a specific designation to their donation e.g. OGHS Tsunami, Sri Lanka. 

Every dollar given to missions – goes to missions.  Nothing is withheld for administrative purposes.

Send donations to:

NACCC
PO Box 288
Oak Creek, WI 53154-0288

 I want to make a contribution to the work of this mission!