Louisiana Baptist Convention officials opened an envelope filled with $854 cash. Receiving cash in an envelope is not that uncommon for non-profit ministries such as the LBC. However, this money was extraordinary and downright miraculous.
The cash was an offering from several citizens who live in a community on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, a region decimated by the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives worldwide. Twenty men from this area of the world, where the average monthly income is around $100, reached deep in their shallow but generous pockets to send aid to Louisiana, which they heard was hit by Hurricane Katrina.
During the tsunami disaster, these 20 men experienced firsthand not only the tragedy of the natural disaster but also the help of Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers from several state conventions. Teams from Louisiana traveled to the tsunami-stricken area to help with the recovery and relief work. The Indonesian men remembered how these particular Americans helped them, cared compassionately for them and loved them unconditionally.
The Indonesians gave the offering to a Southern Baptist humanitarian consultant who was in Sumatra recently to assess the progress of current relief efforts.
“Some of the greatest joys in ministry occur when God surprises you,” the consultant, whose name cannot be used for security reasons, said. “My trip to Indonesia was no different, as I was blessed beyond measure – especially because God had this special surprise for me.”
“This is huge! Why would they even care?” the consultant said. He said the Indonesians told him, “It is because we were so moved and touched by the volunteers who helped us and now we are compelled to give.”
The Indonesians received a freewill offering, had it converted to American currency, placed it in an envelope and presented it to the consultant. They asked that their gift be specifically delivered to the people in Louisiana.
“Even though these men have Muslim origins, much of their perception of Westerners (i.e. Christians) has changed 180 degrees,” the consultant explained. “This event is just one example of the impenetrable walls being broken down by those who help others in the name of the Lord.”