Lausanne update from Sri Lanka

Just got this in my mailbox and wanted to post it...
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Dear Lausanne Colleagues,

By now you are fully aware of the devastating impact of the earthquake and tsunami on the peoples of Southeast Asia. The death toll is now 80,000 and rising. Millions of people are affected by this calamity.

Adrian de Visser is from Sri Lanka and is the Lausanne International Deputy Director for South Asia. He writes the following, asking for prayer and support. If your ministry/organization is planning to participate in relief work in this area, please feel free to be in contact with Adrian.

May the Lord be with all who are affected by this disaster and with those who are trying to help.

Dr. Tetsunao Yamamori
International Director, LCWE
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A Message From Adrian de Visser - Sri Lanka

Dear Dr. Yamamori,

Thank you for calling and writing to us. The earthquake and the resulting tidal waves (tsunamis) have caused major destruction to the nation of Sri Lanka and beyond.

The Government has declared it a national disaster. The number dead has gone up to 21,500 (this is the government information) we believe it is well over 25,000, about one million displaced and about 250,000 homeless.

This morning I made contact with two leaders of the Christian community in the deep South and no aid has reached them yet. I will lead a team carrying dry rations, milk powder, baby clothing and drinking water tomorrow morning.

APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS
Last morning our staff worker in the North and East called to inform he is safe but was traveling to the uncleared areas (uncleared areas are the areas that are under the control of the Tiger movement). Many thousands have died in these areas, including new believers, who have come to know the Lord during the past few years. We are dispatching some essential goods tomorrow through him to the North.

We called off our 31st Night Service. This is the day all our churches come together - usually a day of great rejoicing, when our leaders introduce those who have come to know the Lord within this year and we have a large scale baptism ceremony. We cancelled the service out of respect for the mourning in our country. We will be conducting a week of praying for the nation.

OUR RESPONSE
Stage One
We are presently collecting food, dry rations and clothing from our believers, friends and community to help the people who are living in temporary camps. In fact all our elders, staff and believers are going from house to house at this moment collecting stuff.

Stage Two
We want to respond to the needs of the people in the South of Sri Lanka. This happens to be the most affected area. In their hour of need we feel compelled to express our love and concern for them.

ACTION PLANS
Provide people with drinking water, milk food, sugar, tea, dry rations, stoves, candles, cups, utensils, feeding bottles and clothing.

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS AN APPEAL ON BEHALF OF OUR NATION TO PARTNER WITH US IN THIS TIME OF GREAT TRAGEDY.

Any financial aid can be wired to the following bank:
The HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK CORPORATION LIMITED
24 SIR BARON JAYATILAKA MAWATHA
COLOMBO 01
SRI LANKA
Swift: HSBC LK LX
Account Name: Kithu Sevana
Account Number: 001-333418-001

In the midst of the pain and confusion we know and we believe that God is Sovereign, He will bring something good out of this. We deeply appreciate your prayers.

Rev. Adrian de Visser - Adrian@lausanne.org