Colachel, India: Post Tsunami
December 26, 2004, a tsunami submerged much of coastal Colachel, India creating a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Our previously planned trip took on new significance as a relief mission and First Congregational Church brought some $150,000 from the Burlington community that would be used to support emergency medical care at the James Hospital. The monies were immediately available to provide necessary shelter, food, medicines, hospitalization and rehabilitation for over 9,000 victims treated and taking refuge at the James Hospital. Most of all, they knew from our presence in their midst and from our material support, that people they would never meet, in some small way, shared in their loss and offered their prayers. (Janice Clements)
