Tsunami Victims in Heaven?

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12, NAS.

Shortly after arriving in Indonesia, Rita*, a retired social worker from America, met Wati, an Indonesian school teacher. Rita had told Wati that she had come as a learner, and she wanted to know about Wati’s culture and beliefs. Wati became a cultural guide and advisor to Rita, and the two became good friends over the years.

When the tsunami struck the island of Sumatra in December 2004, Rita and her husband, Bill, went to the stricken area to be part of disaster relief efforts. Wati knew this and often commented on how glad she was that Rita and Bill had gone to help the Indonesians struggling after such a huge disaster.

Eighteen months after the tsunami, Rita and Wati where chatting about a variety of topics. Suddenly, Wati became serious. She looked straight at Rita, which is unusual for Wati’s culture, and asked, “Do you think the victims of the tsunami went to heaven?”

“Well, Wati, what does your holy book say about it?” replied Rita. Wati admitted that she did not understand Arabic so she only knew what the religious leaders told her. While Wati had an Indonesian Quran she could read, it is believed that only the original Arabic was uncorrupted. So she could not rely on the translated Quran.

“Our religious leaders tell us that all the tsunami victims went straight to heaven,” said Wati. “I’m not sure I believe that, what do you think?”

Rita opened the Bible and shared the Gospel. She shared that without Jesus no one goes straight to heaven. Wati thought about this and said, “I used to think all religions were about the same, but now I see that what we believe is very different. I’m not ready to make such a big change, but I can see the difference.”

*Names changed for security.

Pray that:

Many people like Wati will hear and understand the difference between following Islam and following Jesus.

Despite the big change that faith in Jesus will require, many in Indonesia will accept His offer of salvation.

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