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In Mission with the Tsunami Victims Caring for people devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. The December 26 tsunami in the Indian Ocean will impact the lives of our Sisters in Indonesia and South India for many years to come.
25 of our Sisters serve in Indonesia, where we have been in mission for 57 years. Sister Lely Ratnawati Kodrata has been updating us from Jakarta. "In the Bishops Conference Office, there is a coordinated action of collecting donations of any kind, mostly clothes and medicines. We participate in organizing those donations, packing and sending them to Aceh, one of the most devastated areas of Sumatra." Once the immediate needs are met, our Sisters will help the sick and poor people as they begin to rebuild their lives. They foresee that health care will be a big need for quite some time. In South India, where we have been in mission since 1940, several of our 124 Sisters lost relatives in the tsunami. Our Sisters have been visiting relief camps, offering health care, clothes and spiritual support. They are assessing how to best help to meet the ongoing needs of the people. Sister Elizabeth Vadakekara says, "We plan to branch out in 2 groups - one to Tamil Nadu, and the other in Kerala, to join a non-government organization (NGO) and Major Superiors' group and work toward the rehabilitation of the most needy."
"Rehabilitation of thousands of families, and making permanent houses, will take a long time," explains Sister Joan Thazhathel, also from India. "People are panic-stricken and afraid to go back, fearing a fresh onslaught of terrible waves. But some others are taking the risk and moving into their places, pitching tents, as they have no other way of livelihood than fishing." We ask for your prayers for our Sisters in the affected areas, and for the people with whom they live and work. If you wish to contribute financially to our tsunami relief and rebuilding efforts, please send your donation to: Medical Mission Sisters Development Center, 8400 Pine Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
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