Asia (MNN) — With over 1 million people homeless in Indonesia alone, tsunami relief funding continues to pour into organizations providing the essentials to the victims in 11 difference countries. Large relief organizations both Christian and secular are seeing record amounts of cash. But, they can’t do it alone. And, many can’t share the Gospel as they help. That’s why organizations like the Evangelical Free Church of America need your help.
EFCA’s Compassion Ministries is reaching out, too, says Jim Snyder. Snyder says they’re the second wave of response, different from many larger groups. “They’ll go in and be involved in the clean up work, but the actual one-on-one or personal contact with individuals is not necessarily met. And, it’s through these second wave response organizations like ourselves that we’re able to be involved in ministry contact, crisis counseling, to be able to meet with these people and actually provide some benefit to the local church in these areas.”
The EFCA has set a goal of raising $500,000 to help in areas hit hard by the disaster. Snyder says while the ‘second wave’ response is important, they’re also helping physically, too. “We are working through our indigenous partners and in most cases they’re able to purchase relief supplies there locally to be able to distribute to the people who have been affected.”
Right now EFCA is recruiting a teams made up of skilled individuals to send to the various countries to help in counseling, health care, clean up, and rebuilding efforts. Snyder says they’ll be heading there, “When the time is right.”
This disaster, while horrifying, says Snyder, could be an incredible spiritual opportunity. “We do have a tremendous opportunity on a one-on-one basis to be able to share our faith along with our actions. Over all, I think this is going to be one of the most significant things we’ve seen in the past decade.”
You can help fund the EFCA’s second wave response by sending your checks to:
Evangelical Free Church of America
901 E. 78th Street
Minneapolis MN 55420-1300
You can also call them at 800-745-2202 or give on-line at http://www.efca.org/international/
