The massive tidal wave unleashed off the coast of Indonesia struck Sri Lanka at 9 o'clock Sunday morning, December 26. Some 40,000 people died, including 70 percent of the monks in one Buddhist monastery.
Soon Agape staff members from GAiN Germany (Global Aid Network) flew in to assess the situation and see if GAiN could help. They found that Christians had developed a good reputation as they immediately shared their food with fellow survivors.
Christians in Sri Lanka comprise only 0.4 percent of the population, and shortly before Christmas had been experiencing a wave of persecution. Churches were burned and believers killed. Another wave of church burnings had been planned for December 26, but the tsunami struck first.
As the head monk, who had planned the December 26 attack, saw the love of Christians in sharing food and shelter with those who had persecuted them, he realized he was wrong about Christians and asked forgiveness from a pastor.
Due to the good example of the Christians, government officials gave GAiN permission to distribute aid directly through the churches.
German staff members worked closely with Campus Crusade of Sri Lanka to identify five villages where this would be possible. GAiN has committed to help these villages for a minimum of one year.
"We plan to raise 2 million US dollars [1.5 million Euros]," says Klaus Dewald, leader of GAiN, "which will be given equally to Christians and non-Christians alike. We want to help the whole society and show the compassion of Christ for the Buddhist and the Moslem as well as the Christian."
The short-term plan is to provide food, clothing, kitchen equipment and temporary shelters. Long term, GAiN plans to build an orphanage and at least 300 brick homes, as well as provide new fishing boats and equipment. "These are fishermen," says Klaus. "Give a family a boat and nets, and they can survive."
Next summer, teams of students from Agape university ministries across Europe will travel to Sri Lanka to help rebuild these villages. 
