(November 5, 2010 - by Harold Goerzen) With the treble tragedies of tsunami, earthquake and volcano simultaneously buffeting Indonesia and leaving hundreds dead and injured, partners of HCJB Global are actively responding in both word and deed. "Partner radio stations in Mentawai (earthquake and tsunami) and Yogyakarta (volcano) are responding to the disasters in their areas," said Ty, director of the mission's Asia Pacific Region.

"Another Indonesian partner is onsite in Mentawai with logistical and practical help," Ty continued. "We have asked how we can help specifically, but there is not a call yet for us to be more involved on the ground."

A 20-foot tsunami slammed into the remote Mentawai islands off the coast of Sumatra on Oct. 25, killing at least 449 people. The tsunami was so big that some bodies were found in treetops.

The tsunami was triggered by a 7.7-magnitude undersea earthquake. More than 300 people are reported missing, and about 700 homes were swept away, leaving some 23,000 people displaced. The islands lie almost directly above the fault that spawned the 2004 Indian Ocean monster quake and wave.

Less than 24 hours later, Mount Merapi, about 800 miles southeast of Mentawai near Yogyakarta in southern Java, began an eruptive cycle, killing 44 people and injuring dozens of others, most with severe burns. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia. More than 70,000 villagers have been evacuated from the 9,700-foot volcano's once-fertile slopes.

HCJB Global has sent a shipment of several hundred solar-powered, fixed-tuned SonSet® radios to the affected areas. The sets only pick up the local partner stations.

The national phenomena happened just days after HCJB Global's Asia Pacific Region held its Radio School of Mission (RSM), a training program for announcers and station managers. Seventeen radio station managers from across Indonesia attended the weeklong event that ended Oct. 20.

"One of the station managers who came to RSM runs a station in Mentawai," said Dave Pasechnik, vice president of international ministries, including the Asia Pacific Region. "We heard the station manager is safe, and the station is still on the air. Pray that their broadcasts would be effective as they minister the love of Jesus at an incredibly difficult time."

Pasechnik told Mission Network News that it's unclear how many of HCJB Global's Indonesian partners have been affected by the disasters, especially because communications have been spotty.

"Currently, the biggest need is for food, blankets and tents," wrote a local believer in an email message. "Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Mentawai where almost 90 percent of the victims are Christian."

Pasechnik said HCJB Global is ready to assist, depending on partners' needs. "If they ask for our help, we'll definitely be there to help them and have a team go in and do what we can."

John Brewer, engineering director for the region, helped install the partner station in Mentawai a year ago. "Praise God that our partners and the station are fine after the earthquake and tsunami," he wrote. "Please pray that relief efforts would reach these remote areas and that God would use the broadcasts-ours is the only station on the island-to minister to the people."

Radio trainer James Totton added that one of the participants of an advanced announcer course in September runs a radio station in Yogyakarta. "We pray that our partner station's staff there will have the wisdom to know how to minister to frightened and hurting young people," he said. "It's been a very tough week in Indonesia!"

Sources: HCJB Global, Mission Network News, Associated Press