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News Item: Report on Tsunami Relief by Elder Palmer
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| Report on Tsunami Relief by Elder Palmer | 11 Jan 2005 |
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Report on Tsunami Relief By Elder Tom Palmer I finally had time on this Sabbath day to write to our family and share with them some of my observations on the Tsunami relief effort. My main computer is temporarily out and so I hope just providing a copy of my family letter will be adequate until we can do a more thorough report on relief efforts in Indonesia. I feel this captures many of my feelings and impressions. There is still much to be done, but we are working closely with Elder Subandriyo, President Jensen and the wonderful saints in Indonesia who have responded in such a beautiful way. I should have copied Elder Brown/ Elder Allen and Richard Hunter, but did not have their addresses readily available except through groupwise -- please forward to others as you feel appropriate. We feel so blessed to have the local, area and church support in our efforts here. It was a blessing to Indonesia to have Bishop Edgley, Elder Dickson and Elder Garn be with us and share their vision. Terry Oakes and Richard Hunter are wonderful resources to the area and we feel blessed by their support as well. Elder Palmer My family letter follows: Two weeks ago the earthquake off the shore of North Sumatra, Indonesia and subsequent tsunami impacted the lives of individuals, families, communities, and countries throughout the Southeast Asia area in ways they would have never chosen. Our lives will never be the same as a result of what we have witnessed during the past two weeks. Elder Maxwell once said something to the effect that we generally do not choose the trials we will experience in mortality, but we do choose how we will react to them and what we will learn from them. I can assure you that I would not have chosen to experience what I have had to feel and witness, but I can also assure you that I have a testimony of the Love of God for all of His children. We do not know why such a tragedy occurred, but He does and that is sufficient for us. We have witnessed many blessings, many miracles, many hearts softening, many relationships mending and many reach out with love to those in need. It is difficult to even imagine the level of suffering that has affected so many. My visit to the hardest hit area in Indonesia, Banda Aceh, this week stirred deep emotions within me as I hurt for those who have and still are suffering so much. The Savior suffered more than any other and He did it for me and for you and did it voluntarily. My gratitude for Him and commitment to Him is greater than ever before after witnessing what I would call unimaginable suffering and realizing that His suffering was even more intense. I will try to share a few of my observations during this most difficult time for so many of our brothers and sisters. The magnitude of the loss of lives, injuries, displacements, damaged and destroyed homes, businesses, farms and personal property, separated families, and literally loss of a generation in some families is hard to even measure. As of today, in Indonesia alone there are over 104, 000 confirmed dead, 100,000 + injured, 35,000 + children orphaned or separated from family, hundreds of thousands homeless, and hundreds of thousands searching, wondering, and a few still with hope that a family member may be found. After our visit to the area, it is clear that thousands more will be counted among the dead and many thousands never counted as inhabited islands literally disappeared. As we responded immediately upon learning of the disaster, we witnessed the Lord open door after door. We had 9 pallets of medical supplies in temporary storage that were immediately available for relief (they were part of a shipment only a few weeks ago of eye surgery equipment for another project in Jakarta and someone from headquarters was inspired to fill the remainder of the container with medical supplies). Two full containers of clothing had been shipped from the Humanitarian Center to Indonesia approximately 6 months ago to International Relief and Development iV an organization with whom we partner in Indonesia and in many other countries. The containers have been stalled at the port in customs and the week following the tsunami they were released and shipped by this organization to the hardest hit areas. Had they been released sooner, it is likely they would have already been disbursed elsewhere and unavailable for relief of the victims of this disaster. The Lord pre-positioned needed supplies and also pre-positioned needed servants. One of the greatest blessings the Lord has provided for the country of Indonesia is Elder Subandriyo. A man small in stature, but very large in faith -- he literally walks by faith. I have witnessed him as an instrument in the hands of the Lord in bringing about His will so many times during the past 4 months of our service, but there has been an almost visible mantle upon him during this crisis. I have watched government official after government official soften, grant requested permissions, and even become his servant as we have sought for clearances to extend the relief to the victims the Lord would have them receive. I have been taught much as I have witnessed his love for the Lord, love for the beautiful people of his country, and his untiring efforts to build the kingdom. He is truly one of the Lord’s chosen and noble ones clearly prepared before this life to bless our Father’s children in Indonesia. I believe the Lord pre-positioned President Jensen, who had already scheduled a flight to Medan (following the disaster flights were not readily available) and was able to coordinate an effort in Medan (the closest city to the disaster area in which we have saints and missionaries) only two days after the tsunami that sent needed food, medical supplies and other needed emergency supplies by truck to the benefit of the victims. He had just added two missionaries to the area and the lead missionary in Medan was raised in North Sumatra and knew the area and continues to provide much leadership to the relief effort as goods are shuttled from Jakarta or flown in from the U.S. and then forwarded under his direction to the affected area. Almost immediately the Jakarta District leaders (and assigned members) purchased and began assembly of personal and hygiene kits that included items unique to this country. Over 3,000 kits were assembled and shipped to the disaster area for distribution to those most in need. Another 5,000 kits will be prepared and sent soon with all branches of the Mission participating. Within days after the tsunami we were witnessing our supplies being shipped by U.S. Air Force cargo planes to the affected area. It was a joy to witness Indonesian and U.S. Air Force personnel working shoulder to shoulder loading these planes. We too participated in the loading along with the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Lynn Pascoe. We had coordinated our shipping with USAID the relief arm of the U.S. in foreign countries. We continue to coordinate many of our shipments with them and they welcome our tents, medical supplies and other items because they are well packaged and properly labeled. In less than one week following the tsunami the Church in cooperation with Islamic Relief Worldwide had chartered a cargo plane (MD-11) and filled it with 143,000 pounds of humanitarian emergency relief supplies from the Humanitarian Center (consisting of medical and first aid supplies, hygiene kits, clothing and shoes). This plane headed for Medan, Indonesia and was told in flight that they would be unable to land there. Elder Subandriyo, Garry Flake and I were in Medan to meet the plane and in cooperation with Islamic Relief officials in Indonesia to provide distribution on to the needed destinations. We were advised at different times that 1) there was no proper unloading equipment, 2) there was no longer a slot time for the plane at the congested airport because it was delayed, 3) there were cargo planes that needed unloaded to open the way, and 4) there were two other planes that were scheduled to arrive and we could not land this one unless they failed to show (they had always arrived as scheduled). We witnessed the hand of the Lord through His servants clear the way for the landing. A slot time was made, a cargo plane unloaded and two planes failed to show. Within a very short time of our arrival at the airport the Lord was in charge of this international airport with Elder Subandriyo directing the work. From the air traffic control tower, to the security guards, to the airport tarmac patrol all were responsive to Elder Subandriyo as we freely walked among planes, in and out of secured areas, interacting frequently directly with the tower. We joined hands with an unloading crew and the local missionaries to help unload a Russian cargo plane that had to be unloaded within two hours or our plane could not land. In two hours the plane was unloaded to the amazement of their crew and the airport officials. Just as we left the cargo bay of this plane we witnessed that our plane had arrived. Initially, they were going to refuse any unloading due to inadequate equipment, but they saw our determination and witnessed the unloading of the lower cargo bay by hand. A missionary in white shirt and tie on one end of a 100# bail of clothing and an Islam brother on the other we unloaded bail after bail. The crew of the airplane were so impressed with our young elders they sent from the cockpit before their departure a package of goodies from the U.S. The plane then flew to Jakarta for unloading of the top bay with special equipment. Even that is an answer to the Lord’s will as Garuda Airlines (at the request of a wonderful Sister Bertha, who has literally been an angel in this relief effort) will fly the goods directly to Banda Aceh and avoid the trucking that is required from Medan. We returned from Medan and arranged for more shipping and coordinated with Garry Flake, who directs the humanitarian emergency relief for the Church, our continuing efforts and the level of the Church’s commitment to this effort. On Wednesday evening we welcomed Bishop Richard C. Edgley (counselor in the Presiding Bishopric), Elder John B. Dickson (our Area President), and Elder Daryl H. Garn (counselor in Area Presidency), as well as Terry Oakes and Richard Hunter from the Area office. We held a brief update meeting and were inspired by their direction and commitment to the victims of the disaster. The next day these individuals along with Elder Subandriyo, President Jensen, Garry Flake, Hendro Suranto and myself flew to Banda Aceh--the area affected the most by the tsunami. We first met with Dr. Alwi Shihab at the Command Post for the government. He is the Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare (#3 position in the government effort under the direction of the President and Vice-president). He has become a good friend of the Church, of Church leaders, and of the Lord’s work in Indonesia as he has recognized the mantle I referred to earlier that rests upon Elder Subandriyo and other leaders with whom he has met. He gave us a brief overview of needs--both immediate and long-term and Bishop Edgley assured him of the Church¡|s commitment to these needs. A major concern now that many of the immediate needs are being met is that hundreds of thousands will need to be relocated--literally new cities built with all of the infrastructure needed for cities much much larger than Flagstaff. As we witnessed our Church leaders interact with these officials and provide direction to this effort we were reminded of the love the Savior has for all of us and the extension of His almighty hand in reaching out in love to those in need. As we left, I expressed to Brother Alwi Shihab (and he is my brother) that we prayed daily for him, for he has such a burden on his shoulders as he is over the entire relief effort. He already knew we prayed for him and has expressed his gratitude in the past for the prayers and faith of Elder Subandriyo. What followed next I will never forget. We were taken in two vehicles to the area of the city of Banda Aceh that was most affected by the tsunami. It was most of the city! At the edge of the damaged area (in this city they estimated the wall of water extended up to 12 km along the water front and then came inland as far as 7 km (4 miles +) destroying almost everything in its path. In this city alone they have numbered the dead at over 30,000 people. We witnessed a large area (maybe 5 acres in size) where they indicated as many as 10,000 were buried in a mass grave. We witnessed piles and piles (ranging in height from 3 to 10¡|) of autos, boards, cement, buses, trucks, trees, mud and other debri. Many of these piles which in most cases was one continuing pile (only broken by the plowed streets and roads) have been undisturbed by search efforts--there are likely still 10,000+ dead in these piles. We witnessed the bodies found in that day’s search wrapped in black plastic and laying beside the road for pickup. We witnessed the smell of death. It was a very sobering and quiet experience as we moved through what remains of this once beautiful city. I wondered why more people were not looking for relatives in the piles of rubbish, but recognize that given the force of this wave, the 11 days of searching that had already passed, the fear of another wave, and the need to care for the living their hope was likely gone. As we traveled further, I saw a very old man next to a large pile of rubbish softly poking a stick into the mud and debri seemingly looking for something ¡V perhaps a grandchild. It was almost more than I could bear and is a scene that I cannot remove from my mind. Such a tragedy has caused suffering most to those who remain and have lost family members -- parents their children and children their parents, husbands their wives and wives their husbands, grandparents their grandchildren and grandchildren their grandparents. It has to be one of the most difficult trials to bear. To experience it vicariously has been almost more than this grandpa’s heart can bear. It is a sad thing when one of the most critical needs two weeks after the disaster is body bags in which the dead are placed for transport and burial. The Church has 50,000 that have begun to arrive from China. It will be weeks before all of the dead are found/identified and buried and then there will be thousands who will remain missing. I have pondered much on what has been experienced. I have felt the Love of the Savior being extended to the living in their hour of need and I have felt that those who have passed on have been invited into a setting where they will be taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ--an experience they would not likely have had in their earthly experience due to the war-torn culture/region in which they lived. Perhaps their acceptance of the gospel will invite a softening of the hearts of those who remain. In the Lord’s wisdom there is much to be learned from what has happened. I hope I have been a good student for I do not look forward to such a lesson again. One additional observation. In late November the island of Alor experienced an earthquake that left many dead. In response, the Church provided relief funds directly to Dr. Alwi Shihab’s ministry. His response was that this was the first Christian church to offer relief to his Muslim brothers and sisters in Alor. Humanitarian relief in Indonesia has been primarily under the name “Latter-day Saint Charities”, yet he referred to it as an offering from The Church. From that reference onward we have included the full name of The Church in correspondence, shipping documents, etc. and at airports, in interaction with government and non-government agencies, in all of our relief effort we are now referred to as “The Church” or in Indonesia: Gereja Yesus Kristus dari Orang-orang Suci Zamin Akhir. It makes clear that the love extended in this relief effort is really from the Savior Himself. Friday evening a fireside was held to express thanks to the wonderful saints of Jakarta District who have been so responsive to every need. President and Sister Jensen’s son, Burkley, had been pre-positioned by the Lord to be here to assist in the relief effort and to use his unique talents to put together a DVD production that highlighted what had occurred in the past 12 days. He had just returned 6 months ago from a mission in Hong Kong and had done wedding dvds etc. in the past. It was a fitting summary and captured many of the emotions we have experienced. Our lives have been blessed to be a small part of the Lord’s offering and to witness His mercy towards the victims of the tsunami. He is mindful of us all and knows our every need. In His own way He will lift us all if we but let Him. I bear my witness of Him. I know He lives and that He loves us. I know our Father sent Him to bless our lives with His love. I am grateful for His chosen servants with whom we labor in Indonesia and with whom we were privileged to serve this past week. My love for you, my family at home, and for my family in Indonesia has deepened as a result of what I have experienced. Your prayers, your fasting and your offerings have been felt in a very real way in Indonesia. Please know of our prayers in your behalf in your times of trial--trust in the Lord and have faith that He will bless you in your times of need. Elder Palmer |
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