Sri Lanka Disaster Report

from Ross Tooley
including reports from: John Robb and Pastor Larry Jensen

Dear Dave,

 

Here is another letter I am sending out concerning Sri Lanka. I have wept watching the news and reading the reports about the disaster in general. This new report is very moving but so representative of the disaster. It is written by a John Robb...  He does mention the Foursquare church in his report. My work in Sri Lanka has mainly been with the A/G.

Blessings brother!

Ross

***

The island of Sri Lanka seems to have been [one of] the worst hit with up to 18,000 (a figure now a day or two old) being reported as possibly dead. My IPC colleague and friend, Pastor Leslie Keegel, who heads the Foursquare Church movement in Sri Lanka writes about the tragic loss of life among his people: “12 families of our Batticaloa city Church were washed into the sea. The pastor's wife and his two children are lost. George's mom, his sister and niece were also attending the worship service when disaster struck. George' mom and sister escaped but his 13 year old niece was carried away. Just an hour ago her body was recovered.

 

In two other villages two pastors lost their spouses and children. According to unconfirmed reports I have, over 100 of our people are feared dead or missing. In the southern province we have no news of three pastors and their families. The areas where they are living are also disaster struck. The damage to human life is colossal, leaving alone the loss of property and devastation to infrastructure. I am sitting in my home praying, answering calls and coordinating relief efforts. The situation is absolutely overwhelming, will have to conduct many funerals and help people in refugee camps with food, clothing and water.” 

Please pray for Leslie and his churches and for all those affected in his country.

Thanks for your prayers and any financial assistance you can provide,
John Robb

Dear Friends,

 

I just got a call from Larry Jensen from our Kohi church asking if I knew a way to get money to those needing it in the disaster areas. I forwared him the email from Sri Lanka (below).

 

I also told him I'd be happy to transfer the money electronically for him if he gave me cash or a cheque made out to me or to cash. However I can't give any receipts that would satisfy for tax purposes. * You would have to go through someone like Wolrd Vision for that.

 

Below is my email to Larry concerning my friends in Sri Lanka and how we can help [this was not included]. They are people whom I 've known for 34 years and are dear to me. They have served the Lord in the midst of much persecution. Many of their A.O.G church buildings have been torched and burnt to the ground in recent years. Last night I found myself praying that these Christians would reach out lovingly to their Buddhist persecutors with this relief effort.

 

Please pray for my friend Pastor Dishan. He needs physical strength and wisdom. I imagine he will be inundated by calls from pastors around the nation, asking for help for their stricken church members and others in their vicinities. Because Sri Lanka is an island nation, the damage was not confined to the East Coast. Places in the South and North were badly hit. Even Colombo on the West Coast experienced big waves!

 

God bess you all!

Ross

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Hi Brother Ross,

 

Thanks for you concern brother.  I have already packed 9 trucks with emergency relief and sent them to the East and South.  It cost about US$20,000, but I got it mainly from the local people who responded in kind (mostly) and some cash.  I am also looking at the long term process, when all the hype ends and the news changes to something else.  Then the politicians will be gone etc.  So we are collecting whatever monies and building materials (roofing sheets, cement bags etc.) for the long haul.  Let me know if you guys can partner with us for the rebuilding process.  If people want to help, the best way right now is to send cash, as it is needed now and we can buy most of the stuff here.  We have also stretched ourselves beyond what we have and are buying things on credit.

 

Our account details for a telegraphic transfer are given below.

Account Name: People's Church Assembly of God

Email for the other details:  Dishan Wickramaratne

As I write to you now the death toll has risen to over 18,000 in Sri Lanka alone.

 

We need a lot of prayer too,

 Dishan

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*  Some of the other articles posted on Across Pacific & Asia have given various ways funds can get to those involved directly in the relief work.  These have included various YWAM bases, etc.  Across Ministries is also willing to help process donations.  100% of the funds will go as designated.  Feel free to give as the Lord leads you, through whatever channel you are most comfortable with.

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