The Tsunami left a path of destruction, from Malaysia all the way to Africa. Photo credit: Baptist Press/Danny Avison/Visual/ZUMA Press

In the aftermath of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that sent deadly tsunamis across the Indian Ocean on Sunday, December 26, well over 100,000 persons are dead in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries, with thousands of others still missing and millions more injured or affected in some way by the devastation.

CNN.com reports that as far away as Somalia, on the horn of Africa, thousands have been killed by tidal waves. Today's Christian joins with other Christian ministries around the world to mourn the losses, pray for those who have survived, and seek ways to alleviate the suffering caused by this catastrophe. Religious organizations like World Vision, World Relief, and the Jubilee Campaign were at work in the affected regions before the tragedy and are now redoubling their efforts to help those in need.

Ann Buwalda of Jubilee Campaign USA, based in Fairfax, Virginia, has said in an urgent appeal to supporters, "We at Jubilee are especially concerned about this disaster because of our work in the area and the relationships we have developed as a result of that work. We support an orphanage, the Caleb Chandler House, in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, and recently visited and formed friendships with Christians suffering persecution for their faith in Sri Lanka."

The small island nation of Sri Lanka, off the southeast coast of India, was one of the hardest-hit regions by the disaster. The east coast of Sri Lanka bore the full brunt of massive tsunamis spawned by the earthquake. Tens of thousands of people are dead, with many more still missing. More than a million people have been injured, left homeless, jobless or without power, or otherwise affected by the waves. Jebamoney Ratnam, pastor of Holy Trinity Church and a leader of the National Christian Fellowship of Sri Lanka, sent the Jubilee Campaign USA the following e-mail message earlier today:

"Your prayers and words of encouragement have been a great strength in this hour of crisis. The tidal wave has been devastating and perhaps the worst natural disaster Sri Lanka has ever experienced.

"As I write, the death toll has risen to 12,000 and thousands are missing [Editor's Note: That number has since risen dramatically]. Over one million—5% of the population— have been affected. The infrastructure has been heavily damaged—bridges being swept away and electrical communication in most areas non-functional. I am sure the CNN news coverage would keep you updated with the developing situation and with the magnitude of the devastation.

"While secular international institutions and foreign Governments have pledged assistance, the Church cannot be silent. In fact, we believe this is the time the Church should stand up in unity and share our Lord's love with those who are in dire need—to those of the faith as well as others. Nine districts on the coastal line have been badly affected. Along with the National Christian Fellowship, we are collecting dry rations, clothes, money, etc., in order to help the victims. There are thousands of poor innocent adults and children in camps."

Ann Buwalda went on to say, "Three members of Jubilee Campaign's staff met Pastor Ratnam in October when we traveled to Sri Lanka to investigate reports of the persecution of Christians by extremist Buddhist monks. We spent the bulk of our time in and around the capital city, Colombo, which is situated on the west coast of the island, but the National Christian Fellowship, of which Pastor Ratnam and a number of the other pastors we met are leaders, represent churches all over the country, including the hard-hit regions on the east coast. Please pray for the people of Sri Lanka and for all those assisting in recovery efforts. Pray that the Christian community of Sri Lanka will bear witness to the compassion of Jesus Christ through their ministry in this time of turmoil."

Dan Wooding is the founder of the ASSIST News Service, www.assistnews.net.