You've seen the news reports and pictures of the tsunami in Asia and Africa, and heard the horrifying stories and statistics of massive destruction and death. Many have been asking, "What is our church doing to help, and what can we do?"

We are providing this forwarded letter and fact sheet from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in hopes that you will forward it on to your pastors and others who can help.

Contact: www.adra.org, http://news.adventist.org/, and www.adventistreview.org for other reports and updates.


HOW CAN WE HELP WITH THE TSUNAMI RELIEF?
A LETTER AND FACT SHEET FROM ADRA

Dear Friend,

By now, you've no doubt seen the troubling images that are beaming back to us of the devastation caused by the tsunami that struck 11 countries in Asia and Africa. The efforts of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) will be our biggest response ever to a natural disaster.

ADRA staff is there, with additional help arriving, in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India providing much-needed emergency relief aid such as food, medicine and shelter to countless people whose homes have been destroyed.

On faith, ADRA has made an initial commitment of $500,000 from our emergency relief fund to respond to this catastrophe. But this is just the beginning. ADRA will be responding to the needs of the victims of this crisis for many months and even years to come.

We urgently need your help! We're literally in a race against time so save lives. Those who survived the giant waves that wiped out entire villages now face outbreaks of malaria, cholera from rotting bodies, garbage and stagnant water.

Please download this special bulletin insert at http://www.nadadventist.org/filemanager/download/448/Tsunami%20Bulletin.pdf and share it with your congregation this Sabbath to let them know how they can help their church respond to this tragedy of Biblical proportions.

Please help us by doing everything you possibly can to help the innocent victims of this incomprehensible disaster.

Blessings,
Pastor Charles Sandefur
President, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)

WHAT ADRA IS PRESENTLY DOING: (This is our initial emergency response. Plans are underway to dramatically expand our response as funds become available! Check www.adra.org for updates.)

* Phuket, Thailand: ADRA is working with a local hospital to distribute much needed care packages to nearly 3,000 people. There will be a greater response once needs are assessed.

* India: ADRA is providing shelter, blankets, drinking water and a 10 day food supply to 7,500 people.

* Sri Lanka: ADRA is providing a one month supply of medicine for 90,000 in Colombo and formula for babies in the affected areas.

* Indonesia/Andaman Islands: ADRA is providing blankets, clothing and shelter materials for victims.

Thank you for that update, Stan - just in time for me to put in the church bulletin tonight.

aldona

This really hits home as my parents were missionaries in Phuket, Thailand many years ago. I can still remember the beautiful coastline of the balmy beaches in Phuket, the dotted lush green islands along the bay, the gorgeous underwater world of pink corals, anemones, shells and colorful fishes...

Most important of all were the gentle people who lived there. People who lived very simply and yet were content with what little they had. Then the tourists came.

ADRA is doing a wonderful work. May God continue to bless.

Peace

Have just read the latest update on the ADRA International website. They are certainly doing a wonderful job, and I pray that God will continue to bless them and impress people to continue giving generously.

I notice that all of the food provided by ADRA is vegan (rice, dal, soy milk, tofu, cooking oil, cream of wheat etc). I guess that is understandable, given that this is the type of food that Adventist food companies manufacture.

I'm just curious: if an individual or corporation made a donation of (for example) powdered milk, dried fish (like they eat in Sri Lanka and the Maldives) or meat, what would be ADRA's position? Would it be distributed as usual, or would that not be "politically correct"?

(This may seem way off topic, but I just got thinking about it because this afternoon I was helping pack a food parcel for a local community organisation of Sri Lankan expatriates, who were sending these very types of food - and my contribution included powdered milk and baby formula.)

aldona

If I remember correctly (and may not) ADRA uses these foods because they fit into most muslim, hindu etc, diets without offense. Whereas meat and fish would be uneatable to many. Think of it as type O universal food.

I noticed that ADRA was among the best places to send any kind of donation. We, as adventists, already knew that but it was nice to be recognized by government officials.

My guess would be any "clean meats" would be considered OK, but I really honestly do not know. Does ADRA have a statement on their website maybe?

The following is from an email update from our local conference office, which outlines what ADRA is doing country-by-country...

(quote)
Thailand
25. Immediately following the disaster in the south of the country, ADRA Thailand organized the procurement and distribution of 1,960 relief packages containing noodles, fish sauce, rice, tinned fish, energy drinks, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, clothes and drinking water.
(end quote)

aldona