Despite South Pacific floods, ‘the Lord reigns’
HONIARA, Solomon Islands — “The Lord reigns” — even in the midst of a tsunami warning.
Christians packed into a church building in this South Pacific nation on a recent Sunday and sang those words, days after heavy rains swept through the region, killing 23 people and leaving 9,000 homeless. Hardest hit by the floods were the capital city, Honiara, and the island of Guadalcanal, a site of intense fighting during World War II.
Randall John Uthe, who works with Malaysia-based Crisis Relief Services & Training, or CREST, traveled to the islands to assess needs and assist in relief efforts. He sang hymns with a congregation there as the government issued a tsunami warning, but no additional damage occurred.
Missionaries Randy and Sharon English visited the islands about a month before the floods and are scheduled to return. The Forest Park Church of Christ in Georgia, which supports their work, is collecting funds for relief.
“Please, we ask that you pray for all the people affected by this terrible tragedy,” Randy English said. “Also, we ask that you please pray for the many members of the church in Honiara and nearby villages who — as in times past — are serving and helping others, doing what they can with what resources they have.
“Pray, please, that we can reach these members and friends in their great time of need — and with the assistance that they need.”
Christians packed into a church building in this South Pacific nation on a recent Sunday and sang those words, days after heavy rains swept through the region, killing 23 people and leaving 9,000 homeless. Hardest hit by the floods were the capital city, Honiara, and the island of Guadalcanal, a site of intense fighting during World War II.
Randall John Uthe, who works with Malaysia-based Crisis Relief Services & Training, or CREST, traveled to the islands to assess needs and assist in relief efforts. He sang hymns with a congregation there as the government issued a tsunami warning, but no additional damage occurred.
Missionaries Randy and Sharon English visited the islands about a month before the floods and are scheduled to return. The Forest Park Church of Christ in Georgia, which supports their work, is collecting funds for relief.
“Please, we ask that you pray for all the people affected by this terrible tragedy,” Randy English said. “Also, we ask that you please pray for the many members of the church in Honiara and nearby villages who — as in times past — are serving and helping others, doing what they can with what resources they have.
“Pray, please, that we can reach these members and friends in their great time of need — and with the assistance that they need.”
DONATIONS FOR RELIEF may be sent to:
Solomon Islands Flood Relief
c/o elders at Forest Park church of Christ
P.O. Box 1405
Forest Park, GA 30298-1405
(Please make checks payable to Forest Park church of Christ, earmarked for “Solomon Islands Flood Relief”)
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