From a Blest Man
Pacific Rim Tsunami Volunteer First Person Account
By: Dr. Charles Owyang, from California

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3, NIV.

I know that it is the prayers of many that really have kept our team safe as well as spiritually discerning. Along with the invaluable services we've provided medically and through other means, we've really felt God's Spirit as to when to share about Jesus and when to keep silent.  It is truly incredible to be here, and it is one of the best experiences of my life.  I cannot believe all the first hand accounts of people's tsunami stories I've heard. It is amazing and overwhelming to be meeting all these hero survivors.

Today, I met someone with whom I really connected. He was in many ways like me, and I could only imagine if I were in his shoes. He was 32 years old and married with 2 children - one 4-year-old girl and another 6-month-old baby. He was gentle, sincere, and polite. When I asked him to share with me his tsunami story, he said that he had lost his wife in the tsunami and presumed she was dead. He paused a moment at that point because it seemed that my question had exposed a deep hurt. 

I saw his 2 kids out of the corner of my eye and sadness came to my heart, as these kids will grow up without their Mom. He said that Nora, the 4-year-old, had been asking and asking for a picture of her mom and that he had just found one two weeks ago, which has been very helpful for her.

He went on to share that he was from an island off the northeast tip of Sumatra. When the tsunami hit he grabbed Nora but the baby was with his Mom. The island was hit so hard that after the tsunami he decided to leave for the mainland. For the next month, he searched for his wife and child. He found the baby 52 kilometers from his hometown and 3 islands away. He still has no idea how his boy got there.

He is now in an IDP (Indonesian Displaced Persons) camp that we were visiting. He is raising his children by himself. I don't think he has much experience in raising kids, but I could tell by the way he held them that he loved them deeply. I had to swallow hard to fight back the tears.

I had a chance to share how I had experienced deep hurts in my life and how I had received healing from Isa (Jesus), the Healer. I know that as a doctor, I have limits in how much I can help and heal.  Only Jesus can do the work that he needs to give him healing in his heart. I told him that I would pray for him as he is going through all this. 

We locked eyes and the look in his eye of deepest appreciation and gratitude was special. It sent butterflies through my stomach. He asked for my address, and he gave me his. On the one-hour trip back, I was still praying for him.

Whew, what a morning already. I am really blessed to be on this trip.  To know the medicines we bought with all the money we received and the toys we've given out as well as the relief efforts we've brought to a people in desperate need was a huge personal blessing. I really thank God and all my supporters for this trip and the sacrifices they have made to be a part of this awesome and profoundly meaningful work.

Pray that:

Volunteers will come and experience the blessing of meeting and ministering among the tsunami hero survivors in Pacific Rim.

Survivors will see Jesus in the volunteers and be open to hearing and receiving the gospel.

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