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We’re also excited to introduce our new Global Neighbour program.
Plus news from Timor Leste, India, West Papua, and a reflection from UnitingWorld National Director Dr Sureka Goringe.
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In the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, UnitingWorld and the Uniting Church in Australia mourn alongside our Indonesian partners at the tragic loss of life.
Since the magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit on August 5, the death toll has risen to 347 according to local Indonesian media, and tens of thousands have been left homeless by the damages.
Bali also experienced strong tremors on Sunday night but thankfully no deaths were recorded, and damage was minimal.
UnitingWorld National Director Dr Sureka Goringe has expressed heartfelt sympathy for those who have lost loved ones and commended the work of the Bali Church in helping their neighbours in Lombok during the crisis.
“We’ve been close contact with our partners and we are heartened to hear that their congregations are raising funds to support the recovery work in Lombok,” said Dr Goringe.
“We celebrate our partner’s prompt and compassionate response and offer our prayers for all in Lombok who have been tragically affected. We also pray for all the professionals and volunteers helping the affected communities.”
MBM, the social work foundation of the Protestant Christian Church in Bali is working with other non-government agencies and helping to mobilise volunteers to support the recovery. The Indonesian Communion of Churches is also responding with funds for the rescue and recovery efforts.
Our partners are not currently seeking donations from abroad.
Uniting Church in Australia President Dr Deidre Palmer has invited all congregations to pray for the families of the victims and the recovery efforts.
Please pray alongside our church partners in Indonesia for those who’ve lost loved ones, those who’ve lost homes, and for all the people responding to this disaster.
Rev. Dr Apwee Ting of the Uniting Church Assembly Resourcing Unit has written this prayer for Lombok in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
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Berdoa buat Lombok
Ketika bumi menggeliat membangunkan manusia yang terlelap oleh mimpi mengejar hidup
Ketika isak tangis kepedihan manusia yang ditinggal oleh yang terkasih
Kita tersentak, merenung dan bengong kekasih hati, mutiara hidup telah hilang kembali kepada Sang Empunya hidup
Kesunyian, kesenyapan dan kesendirian sekarang menguasai hidup hidup tidak lagi bermakna seperti kemarin
Dengan doa dan solidaritas kuulurkan cinta dan kasih yang ada merangkul engkau yang sendirian ditengah reruntuhan
Lombok, kusebut namamu didalam doa ku kepada Sang Pencipta hidup.
Lombok, kuulurkan tanganku bersama berjalan dan berbagi derita
Lombok, Kepada mu ku berdoa kepada Tuhan kita.
Amin |
Prayer for Lombok
When the earth writhed waking up people from their dreams of pursuing life
When we heard of human pain who has lost their loved one
We gasped, pondered and stunned sweetheart, the pearl of life has been lost back to God who created life
Silence, emptiness and solitude now master life life is no longer meaningful like yesterday
With prayer and solidarity I extend love and care embracing you who are alone in the midst of the ruins
Lombok, I said your name in my prayer to the Creator of life.
Lombok, I extended my heart and hands Let us walk together to share our pain
Lombok, To God we pray together.
Amen |
UnitingWorld is the international aid and partnerships agency of the Uniting Church in Australia. Our partner church in Bali is the Gereja Kristen Protestan di Bali (Protestant Christian Church in Bali), who we work alongside on projects to empower women and alleviate poverty in rural Bali. Read more | See more (video).
In this edition of Update, you’ll read about families in Indonesia, Maluku and West Papua who, with your support, have been trained in goat breeding, learned about family farming or used micro credit loans to start small businesses. They’re not just seeding a new future for their families, they’re contributing to a better future for all.
You’ll also read about the impact of using the Bible as a powerful lens through which to see the world and drive change for women in the Pacific.
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