Indonesian Salvationists seeking God in extreme conditions
Indonesian Salvationists seeking God in extreme conditions
12 October 2018
The Salvation Army is active on the ground in Indonesia, helping to provide medical aid, food, bedding, and spiritual support.
Fourteen Salvationists are among more than 2000 confirmed dead, and four are among thousands still missing, in the tragic aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Friday 28 September.
It is expected that these numbers may still increase as more rural and remote areas continue to be accessed.
Salvos helping to provide basic needs in tough conditions.
Twenty-four corps and two Salvation Army-run schools were destroyed or severely damaged in the 7.7-magnitude quake.
The Salvation Army’s Woodward Hospital in the hardest-hit city of Palu had to be evacuated due to quake damage, which has since been temporarily repaired.
“Many sad stories have been shared,” said Australian officer, Commissioner Peter Walker, Indonesia Territorial Commander.
“We should all be very proud of the way Salvationists in this area have put aside their own personal situations and concerns to reach out to their neighbours and others to provide comfort and support.
“They continue to seek God's hand even in these extreme situations. We are grateful for the prayers and messages of support that have arrived from Salvationists and friends worldwide which has been a source of great encouragement for people linked with The Salvation Army in Indonesia.”
Courage
Commissioner Walker said Lieutenant Colonel Yusak Tampai, Indonesia Territory Chief Secretary, who visited his devastated hometown of Palu a week after the earthquake, reported that government authorities and the military are now better organised, and order has been restored in the city.
Food is still in short supply in Palu, but supplies are coming.
Aid supplies have started arriving more regularly but are still in short supply. Fuel is still difficult to obtain. Power has been restored in some places, and even some stores are now open.
Emergency services personnel are still attempting to find missing people lost in fields of mud.
The Palu Salvation Army Woodward Hospital is still operating using outdoor areas, and some indoor rooms with easy evacuation access. More than 350 patients have been treated at the hospital and a further 545 by the outreach medical teams.
Lieut-Colonel Tampai explains that the emergency phase of The Salvation Army’s response in Palu is expected to continue until at least the end of November. A significant aspect of this will be to provide pastoral and emotional support to victims and their families.
Food and medical assistance will also be provided throughout this time, despite the challenges of scarce supplies and interrupted access routes.
Temporary shelter is anticipated to be a pressing need for at least six months, as survivors rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
Following participation in a daily coordination meeting of disaster response agencies in the city, The Salvation Army has begun a trauma care program in some of the makeshift tented communities that have been set up around the city.
Asked how people around the world can help The Salvation Army’s response in Palu, Lieut-Colonel Tampai responds: “Prayers would be the first. Secondly, please, please give your donations (see link below) and we will greatly appreciate it.
Australian support
The Salvation Army in Australia has been called to mobilise and support Indonesia's earthquake and tsunami recovery.
It has launched an internal appeal, and is asking Salvos to help in two ways:
1. Pray
Pray for the people of Indonesia, and for our fellow Salvationists who are on the ground.
- Pray for Salvationists in Indonesia as they serve the community and recover from this disaster
- Pray for first responders who are currently engaged in rescue and clean-up in dangerous conditions
- Pray for the people of Indonesia
2. Give
Donate to the Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal.
Funds raised will go to providing urgently needed supplies, including food and medical supplies, to those in the disaster zone.
Resources
A range of resources have been created to use in your corps and on Facebook. The resources are designed to help discuss the situation in Indonesia and how Salvos in Australia can help.
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