From Indonesia, January 24 — After a week of talks, visits, and observations—during which some of the fifteen hundred faithful local brethren have been empowered to reach out to hundreds of their fellow citizens who lost everything—we are confident that this horrific disaster has provided the opportunity to demonstrate the love of the Lord and His children for the suffering. The papers here are quoting the Muslim majority as asking, “Why is God angry with us?” Saturday’s Jakarta Post dedicated a full page to quoting religious and government leaders who are saying this is a judgment of God on the people of Indonesia. Christians have been given the opportunity to demonstrate that God is concerned and is using His people to help those who are suffering most.

Partners In Progress has committed $50,000 for immediate use by local Christians for relief. They are distributing pots, pans, dishes, lanterns, and clothing and preparing to help victims repair and rebuild their humble dwellings. A house can be rebuilt for $2,400 to $3,000, and PIP is endeavoring to raise funds to provide as much of the needed building material as possible. Millions of dollars are needed to make just a small impact on this situation. Today the Indonesian government announced that 189,000 people have died and more than one million have lost all their belongings.

The President is saying, “We are very grateful” (Time Magazine, January 24). While we were at the Medan airport waiting on a military flight to the disaster area, the President and First Lady, who were visiting the disaster relief command center, made a special effort to walk over to the five of us and shake our hands and say, “Thank you for coming to help.”

While on the ground, we have learned that the “Great American Myth” that Indonesians are unreachable with the gospel is far from true. Where well-planned evangelistic efforts have been implemented, the church has grown more rapidly than in most areas of the world, and the only hindrance to wider growth seems to be the lack of missionaries, local workers, and proper funding. On the island of Nias alone, 45+ village churches with more than fifteen hundred faithful brethren have been planted since 1974.

Across North Sumatra churches are growing, and with additional well-trained workers, Indonesia could be one of the very bright spots of mission activities and church growth of our brotherhood. Those who track such statistics tell us that churches of Christ are spending only 8% of their mission budgets in Asia, where more than 60% of the world’s population resides. Our prayer is that this massive disaster, affecting four Asian countries, will awaken our interest in sharing Christ with them because He Cares.

William E. "Bill" McDonough, Director
Partners In Progress
Phnom Penh, Cambodia