News & Stories

Hands of Concern Reach Out to Flood Victims

February 12, 2007

Two years after the devastation of the December 2004 tsunami, the people of Indonesia have again been struck by tragedy. The recent flash floods and landslides have killed 110 people across the north of Sumatra. In the beginning stages of flooding, more than 300,000 people fled their homes. Now some are returning to clean up and start rebuilding their lives.  
 
Rebuilding lives is what CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates), the relief arm of The Alliance, is all about. “This tragedy is another opportunity of ministry in this area,” said a C&MA missionary from the region. Relief efforts have been under way. Most of the displaced have been living in tents and waiting for help, unable to return to their homes because the mud is more than three feet deep. In interior villages, the only thing people had eaten for 15 days was ramen noodles.  
 
Recently, CAMA visited a village along the coast, bringing equipment to clean and purify wells. Cooking utensils, vegetables, cooking oil, and oil lanterns were provided to needy families. “We were well received and could even share God’s love and pray with people,” said a C&MA worker.  
 
Pray for the newly formed foundation “Hands of Concern” with which the C&MA and CAMA of Indonesia will continue to partner in Indonesian relief and development ministries.