Are You Afraid?

At one of the morning clinics in Banda Aceh, the last person I talked with was a 26-year-old woman named Ziah*. Her father and younger sister were killed in the tsunami. Her mother and niece survived, and Ziah and her mother are now raising her niece. 

Ziah had , an allergic reaction,  a rash, to Indomie (packaged) noodles.  I talked with her about changing her diet.  She said, "That is all we have. Only Indomie. We have no money." She explained that she had been a pedagang (merchant/trader) near the beach—selling clothes, but her business had been washed away. They were poor before the tsunami; now they are very poor.  Her clothing was faded and well-worn. 

When the volunteer doctor prescribed Benadryl, I explained that since the medicine causes drowsiness Ziah should take it at night.  Ziah’s eyes grew wide and she said nervously, “Oh, but then I might not wake up if there's an earthquake and the tsunami starts coming.” I tried to explain and assure her that it wouldn't make her that sleepy.

After the doctor had finished, the team was packing up to leave. Ziah just sat there. Then she asked me, "Are you afraid?" 

I gently and quietly replied, “No, I'm not afraid. I am a follower of Isa (Jesus) and I trust Him.  No matter what happens, He is with me and cares for me.  Sometimes something might frighten me, but I can always turn to Him for hope and help.” 

Then I told her, "I know that God cares for the people of Aceh.  Look, He has sent all of these people to Aceh to help the Acehnese people because He cares for you." 

There were tears in her eyes as she took my hands in hers. She didn't want to leave, but our team was pulling out.  She thanked me and put her hand to her heart.

*Names changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Ziah will open her heart to Jesus and discover that He truly provides all that she needs.

The Acehnese people will experience relief and freedom from fear, sleepless nights, and anxiety.

Followers of Jesus will have opportunities to share with tsumani victims the hope they have in Christ.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.