THE GOOD SAMARITAN

HELP FOR THE VICTIMS

OF THE SUNAMI IN SRI

LANKA

“... he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.”
Proverbs 14:21.

“Christ says to His redeemed people, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me’
(Matt. 25:34-36). . .

“Prayers, exhortation, and talk are cheap fruits, which are frequently tied on, but fruits that are manifested in good works, in caring for the needy, the fatherless, and widows, are genuine fruits, and grow naturally upon a good tree. . . .

When hearts sympathize with hearts burdened with discouragement and grief, when the hand dispenses to the needy, when the naked are clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seat at your fireside and to a place in your heart, angels are coming very near, and an answering strain is responded to in heaven. Every act, every deed of justice and mercy and benevolence, makes sweet music ring in heaven. The Father from His throne beholds and numbers them with His most precious treasures. ‘And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, when I make up my jewels’.”
(Review and Herald, 13-7-1886)

Sri Lanka was one of the countries mostly affected by the Sunami. 30.000 people died and more than 100 persons lost all their belongings.

The surface of the island is 65.610 km2 and there live 20.000.000 inhabitants. 69,3% from the population is Buddhist. There is not much tolerance for the Christians and the government discourages the contact with the western civilization for fear of proselytism.
Our brother and sister Gabrielle and Jurena Artale volunteered to travel to Sri Lanka, at their own expenses, from 31 May to 15 July 2005 in order to bring the support of the Good Samaritan to the victims of the Sunami.

Brother Sunil, the field leader met them at Colombo, the capital city and they travelled together to Panadura, in the southern part of the country where a rich and influential Moslem helped them to reach the area where the disasters were the worst.

Although five months had gone by since the Sunami hit the area, the impression was quite desolating. The houses were all destroyed and people lived in improvised shelters made with branches and shirt.

After the Good Samaritan team had a good view of the area, the Moslem asked them how much money they had to buy provisions and rebuild the houses. Our co-workers explained that the Good Samaritan department had other plans. They wanted to buy tools for the people to reassume their work so that they themselves could rebuild what was destroyed. The man was positively impressed with this project. He said that many organizations had restored houses and given people provisions of food but they still living in poverty and misery.
Therefore, our team visited the different families and heard their needs. They all asked for mattresses and were happy to hear that they would receive working tools since they had lost everything that could help them make a living, such as sewing machines, carts to bring the fruit and vegetables to sell at the market, refrigerators for their stores, carpentry tools, etc. Our brothers rented a truck to transport all the things they bought besides some mattresses and chairs.
They developed a special system by which the people who received working tools will pay back at small instalments and this money will be used to buy tools for other people who did not receive any help.
This project was welcomed by our brothers in Sri Lanka and by the authorities. Our brothers there want to continue working in that field. They regularly visit the families to get the instalments and invest in other tools.

With an offerings of 3.858, 28 Euros, the Good Samaritan department could help many families who were badly affected by the Sunami.
We want to thank all our brothers and sisters who prayed and contributed so that this help could be provided as a token of love for our neighbour. The people in Sri Lanka have again a living hope for the future. Some families were won to the gospel and are receiving Bible studies. Praised be the Lord!

– General Conference
Good Samaritan Department