Indonesia: Help is on its way to Palu
Two Open Doors workers are making their way towards Palu city, Indonesia, where they intend to asses the needs of believers there and distribute aid following the recent earthquake and tsunami.
Palu airport has been reopened, but commercial flights have been limited to one single flight per day. Since it is very difficult to get flight tickets, the two Open Doors workers flew to Gorontalo, about 544 kilometres away from Palu city, and are continuing their journey by land for another 15 hours to reach Palu.
Two Open Doors workers are making their way towards Palu city, Indonesia, where they intend to asses the needs of believers there and distribute aid following the recent earthquake and tsunami.
Palu airport has been reopened, but commercial flights have been limited to one single flight per day. Since it is very difficult to get flight tickets, the two Open Doors workers flew to Gorontalo, about 544 kilometres away from Palu city, and are continuing their journey by land for another 15 hours to reach Palu.
Over 1,350 people have died, and more than 59,000 people have been forced from their homes as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. Aid workers are struggling to reach the worst hit areas in Donggala, which was also affected.
Open Doors local church partners in Palu who were affected by the earthquake said, “We have tried to go everywhere for help but [there is] none available." They desperately need clothes, tents, milk for babies, blankets, clean water and medicines.
'Thank you for your presence and help'
Indonesia is located on the 'Ring of Fire', a horseshoe-shaped area around the edges of the Pacific Ocean, from Australia to the Andes, which makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. Just recently, in July and August, the island of Lombok was hit by an earthquake that killed more than 560 people and devastated thousands of houses.
41 families of believers affected by the Lombok earthquake received aid through Open Doors local church partners, including food, tents, blankets and money to buy building materials for collapsed houses. "Thank you, Open Doors for your presence and help. May God bless you abundantly," said one of them.
We have a compassionate and powerful God who calms seas and storms, and who sees every act of devastation. Please join us in lifting our brothers and sisters in Indonesia to Him.
PLEASE PRAY:
- For God’s protection on the Open Doors team as they travel to Palu, and that they will be able to distribute aid to the believers successfully and safely
- For all the victims of the tsunami and earthquake, especially those in hard-to-reach places, that God would provide for them and bring healing for those who have lost loved ones
- For the Indonesian government and aid agencies as they work to distribute food and shelter to those in need, and for the victims of the Lombok earthquake as they continue to rebuild their lives.
