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CBN.com – December 26, 2004. The monstrous tsunami pummeled southeast Asia, ending 250,000 lives. Two million more people were left with no home. In Waco, Texas, members of Antioch Community Church watched the news in horror, but not as mere spectators.
“The church should be the first to respond. We thought, well at least we could show up to bury the dead,” Robert Herber says.
“I have to go and be the hands that I can be and the heart of Christ I can be. I felt compelled,” Jennifer Smyer says.
“We saw this opportunity to go and share the love of Jesus and his great grace. We oughta jump in,” Pastor Jimmy Seibert says.
In a matter of days, they did -- with both feet.
“The response was huge,” Herber recalls.
“Literally, we turned 200 people away who wanted to be part of this journey,” the pastor says.
Antioch focused their efforts on Tangalle, Sri Lanka – one of the worst hit areas. What they found there was mind numbing.
“Husbands would come up to us and say, 'I just buried my wife.' Mothers weeping, saying they’d just lost their children,” Herber says.
“We all ran, but couldn’t run fast enough. Two boats came in on the waves and surrounded me. Then, my mother and other family members were taken by the water,” one of the tsunami victim says.
“I heard God so clearly initiate, ‘Do something practical, meet their needs, and it will speak the Gospel to these people and you’ll see a village changed,’” Smyer says.
“They called and said, ‘Hey, we think the best thing we can do for these guys is build ‘em homes. Whatdya think? So we prayed about it and said, “Man, let’s do it! Let’s build a village. Why not?’” Pastor Seibert says.
Two years and a million memories later, Antioch has now built 85 homes. That’s housing for 350 people! They also built a community center, a school-slash-medical clinic, and a great playground for the kids. But their primary goal is still being accomplished.
“We saw person after person after person come to Jesus in the midst of this trial,” Herber says.
“Now we know everyday that God is with us and He will continue to help us. Thank you,” says one Sri Lankan man.
“… you played with our children, cared for the sick, and are everyday with us. This makes me want to take a picture of your God and hang him on my wall and worship Him,“ says Smyer.
Though the construction’s finished, Antioch has not left Tangalle. They’re still involved in a livelihood program to help some start new careers -- making native products. Long-term missionaries are nurturing the church there for 5 to 10 years.
“… you can hear music at night, you hear families laughing, kids all over the playground – you see life restored,” Smyer says.
“I am so thankful for a people who want to respond to God’s broken heart for lost lives,” Pastor Seibert says.
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