Oct. 2, 2009

Christian Station Encourages Survivors of Devastating Tsunami in Samoan Islands

Sources: HCJB Global, Christian Science Monitor

As international aid pours in to the Samoan Islands after a devastating tsunami killed at least 150 people and destroyed dozens of coastal villages on Wednesday, thousands of local residents are turning to Christian radio for news and encouragement.

Showers of Blessings, a partner ministry of HCJB Global with stations in Apia, Samoa, and Pago Pago and Manu Island, American Samoa, continues to provide updates and sharing from God's Word to listeners rattled by the disaster.

"Our station was the only station still reporting during the earthquake and tsunami," wrote Lori Sword of Showers of Blessings in an email sent from the station in Pago Pago. "Praise the Lord, we were in a safe location, allowing us to serve and minister continuously. Isn't God great!"

"Thank you for your prayers and encouragement," she continued. "Everyone is working on cleaning things up as help arrives from U.S. It's amazing the power nature has when God allows His creation to speak. But God has been merciful to our people, considering we are such a small island that can be easily washed away."

The tsunami entered into the mouth of the harbor and headed inland toward Pago Pago, brushing villages along the coastline of the harbor. "I believe it was the reefs that protected most of these areas," Sword explained.

Staff members at the station stayed up until after midnight Wednesday, taking telephone calls nonstop from concerned listeners, both to share prayers requests and to send condolences to grieving families. "We were like the connection between the outside world and our people here," Sword said.

"Our station reaches the villages in Upolu, and that's a blessing for people who did not have phones. Also, those areas in the back were ones that were hardest hit by the tsunami, and they too have lost loved ones. "We had people calling and emails pouring in. Even now our phones are ringing nonstop."

Dave Pasechnik, one of HCJB Global's vice presidents for international ministry, said it "hurts to see what has happened to these islands. We've had a long relationship with our partners there dating back to the early 1990s when we put in the first Christian radio station in Samoa. Since then we've helped with three more stations on the islands."

Throughout the years, a number of personnel from the stations in Samoa have attended HCJB Global's annual training program in Singapore, Radio School of Mission. "In addition, we've had James Totton, one of our trainers, go to the islands to do hands-on broadcast training," he added.

Pasechnik said he's feeling anxious since he hasn't been able to make contact with Afeleti Lui, the manager of a partner station in an area ravaged by the tsunami.

"I pray that all our partner's staff members are safe, but I'm sure this tragedy has touched many of their lives these days as probably some of their loved ones have been swept away by the tsunami," he said. "Pray for the Samoan people during this time of crisis, especially for our partners as they work to serve as the Voice and Hands and Jesus to a hurting nation."