Captain’s Blog

Captain’s Blog #85 - from Nazarene Communications Network news.

The Samoan Islands, Indonesia, and the Philippines have all suffered major natural disasters in the last few weeks. Two earthquakes, a tsunami, two typhoons, and landslides have claimed more than 1,000 lives and affected millions. With a future now uncertain, residents of these areas are grieving their loved ones, destroyed homes, and demolished communities.

As evidenced in the following reports, Nazarenes across the Asia-Pacific Region and around the globe have responded quickly and generously, seeking to come alongside those in such desperate need.

Church in Samoa
The Nazarene Church in Samoa has responded to the people who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami by gathering 30 sacks of rice, three sacks of sugar, two sacks of flour, 41 boxes of noodles, 11 boxes of tuna, more than 20 bags of clothes, and many other items to combine with $25,000 Samoan dollars ($10,300 U.S. Dollars [USD]) to help the victims. Interim District Superintendent Toeleiu Amuimuia, all pastors, District Advisory Board members, and representatives from each local church have worked together to collect these relief materials.

Samoan churches in Australia and U.S.
A large number of Samoans live off the islands, but are still strongly connected to the community there. Nazarene Samoan congregations in Australia and the U.S. were among the first to respond after the earthquake and tsunami. They came together in prayer, organized drives to collect needed materials, and volunteered to serve however they could. Eager to assist their countrymen, they continue to explore all avenues of participation in the relief effort.

Korea
Korean District leaders, Nazarene Missions International (NMI) leaders, and lay elders had a meeting to determine their initial response to assist the victims of typhoons and flooding in the Philippines. The result was a $5,000 donation from the Korean NMI.

Japan
Nazarenes in Japan began collecting funds to help those affected by the typhoons in the Philippines as soon as they heard about it on the news. They immediately sent $3,300 USD from reserve funds and put into motion fundraising campaigns to send more. They saw a need and responded as quickly as possible.

Hong Kong
The church in Hong Kong instantly began collecting offerings to help relieve the suffering of their Filipino neighbors. They collected HK$16,945 ($2,200 USD) on the first Sunday and have planned further special offerings.

East Timor
An individual donor in East Timor, a small island nation in Southeast Asia, volunteered to support the cost of sending two people from that country to join a work team in Indonesia after the earthquake. Together with other volunteers, they will be able to assist in the recovery process.

Indonesia
Nazarene volunteers have joined with other organizations to assess damage and respond to the earthquake in Padang, Indonesia. They are currently caring for 300 families by providing food, bedding, tents, and water.

Singapore
In Singapore, Nazarenes were touched by the story of a young girl in the Philippines who needed new shoes to go school. Hers were worn and muddied by the flooding. The churches in Singapore responded by coming together to collect and send children’s shoes and four large duffel bags of clothing.

Solomon Islands
Nazarenes in the Solomon Islands held a benefit concert to raise funds for disaster victims. They were thrilled by the eagerness of people to come and drop their offering in a collection box. At the end of the night the box was full, representing a real sacrifice for Solomon Nazarenes, many of whom live on low incomes. These crisis events have revealed that the Solomon Islands Church has transitioned from a receiving church to a giving church.

Manila, Philippines
Throughout Manila, Nazarenes gave clothing, helped clean destruction, sheltered victims, and served meals to the hungry. Many churches were opened as evacuation centers. Because some victims were afraid to leave their homes to receive food coming from organizations passing it out to the community, Nazarene pastors have responded by quietly directing those persons to the church and helping them individually.

Many churches in Metro Manila collected clothing for the victims. The Central Visayas District sent 18 boxes of clothing, even though district resident Nilo Rosende was a victim himself of a fire that destroyed his home and all his belongings.

Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary responded quickly and with great skill to the needs of the community around them, welcoming people in and providing shelter, food, water, and minor medical attention. Hundreds were helped.

More Help is Needed
Persons and churches wishing to help can make a donation through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and mark their checks “Asia-Pacific Disaster Relief ACM1200” and mail them to the Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116 Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Online donations can be made by clicking here: ncm.org.

The Asia-Pacific Region praises the Lord for the many people around the region and the world who have jumped to help their brothers and sisters suffering from a barrage of natural disasters.

Captain’s Blog #84 - Samoa - Before and After Tsunami

Captain’s Blog #83 - From the NMI prayerline

Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami

Pray for the people who are suffering after an earthquake produced a tsunami and caused substantial damage and loss of life in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga. Pray for residents of these islands as they recover, pray for relief agencies, including Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, as they provide assistance.  Click here for more information about the Samoan tsunami.