Solomon Islands Earthquake and Tsunami Update

HCJB Global sent a medical team from their hospital in Ecuador, South America, to serve the people devastated by the earthquakes and tsunami that struck the northern Solomon Islands on April 2nd this year.

With the help of Tina and Charlie from Gud Nius Redio they brought supplies, medical help and Christian encouragement to the people, many of whom are still hiding in the mountains and jungle for fear of further big waves. Now, the medical relief team is on its way home.

Charlie reported by e-mail when he got back to the radio station in Honiara

". . . I went with Dr Stephen's team to the Choisuel Province while Tina went with the other team to the Shorthand Islands. We visited about 15 villages, 6 of them had clinics, which made the work of the doctors more convenient but still the other villages with out clinics were able to provide chairs and tables under the traditional leaf hut houses.

At Puzivai Community High School I interviewed the principle who gracefully related an astonishing testimony of two female students whom an angel of the Lord safely led to be with the rest of the School at a higher ground . . . Many of the locals were traumatized by the effect of the Earth Quake and the Tsunami, as a result, most of them were still hiding away in the mountains.

In fact, the little activities and games conducted by Dorothy Nelson (Dr Steve's wife) and I were very effective since it got the mind of the children from the memories and the anxiety of the lost loved ones and damaged properties. But still I see a great need for more intensive counseling because of the limited amount of time. Many houses, kitchen utensils, dugout canoes and out board motors were never to be seen again as they were washed away by the waves.

Nevertheless, I can be thankful to God because of the positive comments about the work of the doctors made by the locals . . . [they] were always patient and faithful in performing their duty despite the fact that translation into Pidgin English by the assistant Nurse and I takes a bit of time. . ."

Web Links

• Gud Nius Redio
• Medical Team Pictures