A few thoughts about the providential tsunami (yes, providential!):
 
  What a witnessing opportunity!  Much of the affected area is in the 10-40 window, an area of intense spiritual darkness dominated and oppressed by Satan's religions of eternal death:  Islam, Bhuddism, Hinduism, animist religions, etc.  Missionary work in this area is often dangerous and must often be carried out in secret or as an incidental part of social ministries (relief, education, agriculture, etc.).  Getting missionaries and evangelists into this part of the world is often impossible or very restricted, resulting in only a very few getting in to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
  Right now, the doors are wide open for relief efforts.  The Gospel can be carried in with the greatest relief effort in the history of the world.  What a great opportunity!
 
  Please pray hard for missionaries and relief workers, for the fruit of the Gospel, and for the faithfulness of God.  Intercessionary prayer is desperately needed.  Pray hard!
 
  The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) personnel who were in the affected areas when the earthquake and tsunami ocurred are reported safe.  http://www.lcms.org
 
  LCMS World Relief is participating in efforts there and elsewhere http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891
 
  Lutheran World Relief http://www.lwr.org also providing relief there and elsewhere.
 
  A final note about the providence of the Lord.  There have been rumblings about terrorists operating in and basing out of some of the areas hardest hit (Indonesia, etc.).  Is it possible that God was protecting the US, Israel, and others by Divine Intervention?  Are the earthquake and tsunami answers to prayer for protection?  Although we may never know, I do know that the Lord works in mysterious ways, in His own time, and to His Glory.
 
  Pray hard!
 Fear not!  Occupy.  Look up!
 
  YSIC--
 Ghoti
 :-)