Greatest Need

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.” Psalm 69:1, NIV.

Ten Chinese-Indonesian families from tsunami stricken areas in Northern Sumatra relocated to a housing compound outside of Medan. They were given a six-month supply of rice and six months of government subsidized electricity. After that, they are on their own. When leaders of this community were asked about their needs, they immediately asked for medical help for Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu Chi Wai* is a 48-year-old delivery driver. He has four small children and a pregnant wife. His right leg was severely broken in the tsunami. Infection around the screws had the community concerned that he might lose his leg and be unable to provide for his family.

On the morning of the tsunami, Mr. Lu was at the market when the initial earthquake hit. He rushed home to find his young family outside. He was warned not to go into the house because of the earthquake.

During that conversation, the first wave came and knocked down a tree that separated him from his wife and children. He was caught up in the wave. Debris in the water broke his leg. Fortunately he was able to catch onto a roof as he swept by and pull himself out of the water. He could already tell his leg was injured, as his ankle was badly swollen. He clung to the roof for over an hour before the waters subsided.

As the waters receded, he took stock of his situation. His first great relief was to see that his wife and children had managed to climb onto another roof. While his immediate family was spared, he later learned that his mother and four of his nieces and nephews were killed by the wave.

Two full days after the tsunami, Mr. Lu made the torturous 14-hour bus journey to Medan. Once in Medan he had surgery that left him with two large screws and five smaller screws in his leg.

After accessing the community’s needs, Southern Baptist volunteers conducted a medical clinic. Not only did doctors help Mr. Lu, but they also saw 27 other patients. Thankfully, Mr. Lu has not lost his leg. The screws are now out and he is recovering. .

It says a lot about the character of a community that its leaders looked past the many physical needs to focus on the medical needs of one man and his family. It also says a lot to that same community that followers of Jesus listened to their needs and addressed them with love and compassion.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Followers of Jesus will continue to offer practical help, while sharing the gospel with survivors of the tsunami.

Mr. Lu’s healing will be complete and that glory will be given to God.

Many people in this community will respond to the gospel and then return to their former communities as ambassadors of the healing found only in Christ.

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