Tsunami Relief in India

Partnering with Brother Tony Coffee, Partners In Progress, joined Healing Hands International and White's Ferry Road Relief Ministries to supply $22,600 each, a total of Total $67,800 to meet these needs.

You made this possible,

Bill McDonough

Letter from church in India:
July 30, 2005
Dear Bro. Tony Coffey,

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and blessings and all your guidance in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ in India.

Tsunami work:

As we planned in your visit we are taking full care for those 30 families of Fishermen community in “Salvation Place” near Chennai. Funds which you sent to me were fully used for the reestablishment of those lives. We have provided them with small fishing nets and repair for the boats and bought new wooden boats. Total 43 individuals of Tsunami victims got help from us for their boat repair along with ‘Rakshanakuppam’ – Salvation place people.

I spent some amount for Church buildings repairs in the costal area in Andhra Pradesh and in Tamilnadu state. Personally Sonia and my self visited those interior Beach side Church Buildings and we helped them with the material like Sand, Bricks and cement for the repairs of Church Buildings and houses.

During this relief activity many people approached me and asked for help. But we have limited funds so I decided that not to deviate form our original plan. I spend some funds for the construction of Children home in Sathyaveedu village near Chennai. Because of God’s grace we make use of every Penny for the glory of our God. I made 13 visits to Chennai and all costal area Tsunami victims after your visit and encouraged them that God will take care all the burdens and told them that don’t be discouraged with this tragedy. Those who got help from us regularly attending for the worship to the near congregations and we done all the work with the help of local congregations so these Churches got regular visitors every Sunday.

Sonia and I selected a few really deserving orphan children to stay in our children home. Out of 128 children, we selected 73 and we send remaining children to other Hindu hostel near to their village. Presently we have 33 children in our newly constructed home in Sathyaveedu and we placed 40 children in Chennai. Presently we are searching and requesting Government hostels to give admission to these 40 children those who are living in Chennai. Because we felt that cost of living in Chennai is more expensive most probably if God willing with in 2 or three months we may accommodate most of children in Chennai into the Government hostels.

But we have to maintain this Sathyaveedu Children home because there is no other home nearby. Please pray for those kids.

I found need for the medical help to kids and adults who have been victimized by this tsunami. We already provided the fishing community the necessary help to start their livelihood by providing fishing nets and fishing boats. If we have some more funds we need to provide school supplies like uniform, school bags, notebooks for kids who have lost their homes. I have all the bills with me for the fund you have sent to me and I personally bought materials like wood, cement, sand, bricks and Iron for the construction and repair of boats and buildings. All contributions were completely used for this noble cause. The generosity of the Christians is superb in this time of crisis.

If you have any further funds we will use for medical needs and orphan Children care. I have request form fisher men Christian families in costal area that they want 4 family fishing nets each net cost around 35000 Rupees. But I don’t have fund available with me really they are deserving people they don’t get any help from government or any other people because they are Christians I promised them and told that I will ask my supporters if they provide I will get those nets for you. Please consider to raise funds for the Medial needs and 4 more Family fishing nets and orphan children care.

Evangelical work:

Because of this Tsunami Relief activity I got lot of contacts of the Churches of Christ in costal belt and in other places. I am getting invitations from the local congregation for the Gospel and Bible classes for the preachers in Andhra pradesh and Tamilnadu states. During my travels I am utilizing every opportunity to preach Jesus Christ and teach Bible to the fellow Christians. After your visit I made regular visits to the congregations where you delivered gospel messages and word of God. I am happy to say that there are 14 souls were added to the Body last month in various congregations. It is really encouraging for me and Sonia to see that Church is growing day by day.

We are planning to start English Congregation in Kakinada. Because we don’t have English worship meeting place in Kakinada. And few Students from other states are studying in Kakinada and they don’t know our home language. We are working for this prayerfully. We are enjoying working fulltime for the glory of our Lord in India. I
Once again I am humbly requesting you that please forgive me for my long silence. Hope you will understand my situation without computer.

Please pass on our love to Leslie and all the Saints in Dublin.
I will keep in touch.
In Christ,
Vijay