Five fishing boats provided by Gospel for Asia

By Allie Martin
August 1, 2005

(AgapePress) - Seven months ago hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives as tidal waves swamped coastal areas in Southeast Asia. Since then, missionaries with Gospel for Asia have worked tirelessly to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of the tsunami victims.

Today, the tide comes in along the coast of Tamil Nadu, India, only yards from where homes once stood. Entire fishing villages along the coast were devastated with the tsunami hit on December 26. Witnesses say the first wave was 40 feet high, and the second 60 feet.

Nearly 800 families in one coastal village were left homeless, and more than 2,000 people died. So a local church, sponsored by Gospel for Asia, is helping by supplying fishing boats to villagers. Pastor Ebenezer with GFA says the boats are helping many rebuild their lives.

"We give them what we give according to our ability, in the name of Jesus," the pastor explains, "and they do understand that they receive this in the name of Jesus."

One of the boats was given to Joseph, a fisherman who lost family members -- and his livelihood -- during the tsunami

On this day, 15 boats -- at a cost of $5,000 each -- were donated by Gospel for Asia. During a brief ceremony each boat, fisherman, and family were prayed over. Joseph is one man who survived the December tsunami, but he lost two of his nephews along with his fishing boat, nets, and supplies. Through an interpreter he says that the boat from Gospel for Asia will allow him to start rebuilding his life.

"I believe that this is going to be of help to me the rest of my life," the interpreter quotes Joseph. "This will be a good source of income with which I can take care of my family."

GFA workers say relief efforts such as the boat project have opened the door to the gospel in what historically has been a hostile area for missionaries. Pastor Ebenezer attests to that fact.

A prayer service of dedication over the boats

"Until about a year ago, this used to be one of the most communal riots-prone place," he explains, "but today there is much harmony among the different communities [and] religious groups, and people [are] happy about the help they are receiving from Christian churches."

GFA hopes to provide up to 500 boats for fishermen affected by the tsunami. The boats are not only for believers but also for non-believers.