The soaring death toll and devastation of the monstrous tsunamis in Asia and Africa compel us to take the necessary risks in order to help the victims of this catastrophe. The REACH Children’s Home, just half a mile away from the beach, was only flooded and all of our children and workers are safe. This doesn't mean we can be complacent, however.

Sri Lanka is my native land; we are well acquainted with the people, the language, and the places, so my brother, a medical doctor, and I decided to go to Sri Lanka to do what we could to help the suffering people. Several others who heard about the trip are joining us: Greg Shaskan, a second year resident, and Jarred Price, a first year resident (both from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Indiana); Sherry O’Donnell, an internist; Nick Skinner, a medical assistant; Joseph Fernando, a family practice physician; Kimberly Wilson, a nursing student from Illinois; and Barry Mills, a youth pastor from Colombo, Canada.

In Sri Lanka, those with medical expertise will work with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Kimberly, Barry, and I will concentrate on caring for the children who are orphaned, or children who need temporary care and shelter. A church school has been made available to us for this purpose. After we know exactly what we are dealing with, we will rent a home or two for the children who need long term care.

Pray that we can find loving, compassionate individuals to take care of the children and support and comfort them in their time of distress. The psychological impact of this disaster is beyond our human ability to comprehend, but we serve a God who loves those children more than we do; we will depend on Him.

PS: We are beginning to hear that the children in the refugee camps are being abused, all sorts of things ... I am trying to “reach” the children so we can help these kids.

Jasmine Jacob, REACH International president