"Christian kindness makes all the difference in the world.

…As United Methodists, it is a privilege and a joy to express the love of God in a time of crisis."

--Rev. David DeWitt Iowa (La.) United Methodist Church

Photo courtesy of Bethesda United Methodist Church   Members of Bethesda United Methodist Church attend a concert to raise funds for tsunami relief.

Just outside our nation’s capital the response was a “Wave of Compassion” concert where more than 100 people donated $6,000 for the survivors and victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

In rural Missouri, church members left worship with a blank envelope and instructions to place the envelope "on your night stand, your coffee canister, TV remote or any place where you will see it every day and pray about what God wants you to give."

In Michigan, Jeffrey Bignell, a member of Reading United Methodist Church, felt "the moving of the Holy Spirit" calling him to do something. He started a campaign at his church to raise money to buy water-purifying tablets to send to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. As of Jan. 11, the church had raised enough money to buy tablets to purify 12,500 gallons of water.

Photo courtesy of Larry Hollon At it's strongest entry point, the tsunami leveled buildings for miles inland.

Together, United Methodists in this country have contributed over $4 million to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, including $24.00 of wages contributed by women in the Dupage County, Illinois women’s prison.  These funds will offer healing and hope to tsunami victims in Asia and Africa.

The money is already being put to good use.  Two weeks ago, a United Methodist delegation visited both northern and southern Sumatra, including the cities of Medan and Banda Aceh, and delivered 100,000 doses of antibiotics and anti-diarrhea medicine for use in the recovery. Their visit laid the foundation for a future partnership with the Gereja Methodist Indonesia (Methodist Church of Indonesia) in Medan, Indonesia. 

Photo courtesy of Mike DuBose A girl shares a tent with other families and children at a camp for displaced people.

In December, we sang and prayed O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  In the aftermath of this terrible disaster that occurred on December 26th, the response of Methodists and people of every faith and background from all over the world is powerful evidence that our prayers have been answered. 

We begin the new year knowing that God is with us.  Even in the times and places of greatest desolation,    there is hope. 

The Methodist Church of Banda Aceh is being reconstructed as a sign of hope for the neighborhood.  It will be re-built with financial assistance from the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. Bishop Michael Coyner, area episcopal leader, pledged $50,000 to the church. Photo courtesy of Larry Hollon

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