DEATH TOLL NOW 94,000

Breaking news (CNN.com 1/2/05)

Indonesia’s health ministry raises quake, tsunami death toll to more than 94,000, bringing regional toll to more than 155,000. Hopes of finding the thousands still missing from the tsunami gmillers weakly as aids begin to reach hardest-hit areas.

However CNN reports that the recovery effort in Aceh, after a slow start, is becoming more organized, with more armed forces and aid workers making their way to the capital, Banda Aceh, and then into the province's more remote areas.

Where there were survivors, they swarmed military helicopters -- the only transportation that could reach most of the areas -- bringing packages of food, water and medical supplies.

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Despite all the saddening and discouraging news, it is time to be thankful. Let's be thankful for:
- $2 B aid pledged by many governments
- The international + domestic disaster workers who have started to arrive in many remote areas.
- The solidarity shown by fellow Indonesians worldwide & international communities. More and more countries are getting up to speed in realizing the size of this catastrophe.
- For all the donations made to Permias' fundraising account.

However there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, who are still waiting for aid. Please pray for:
- for immediate and efficient delivery of food, water, and medical supplies to those who need it most
- for peace and mutual support among survivors rather than enmity. There have been reports of looting in the disaster areas.
- for each individual who is suffering from the disaster or mourning for the death of a loved one. Pray that he/she may be granted extra wisdom to go through this calamity. For each life that has been saved, pray that this event may change their lives for the better, that it may help them be stronger than before. May they be an inspiration to us all about how to overcome trials & pain.
- for ourselves, that we may be granted wisdom & empathy to understand our brothers' sufferings.

Let's continue our work & remember that each minute that we spend & each dollar that we raise will count.