All schools in Tamil Nadu observed 2 minutes of silence this morning, continuing to hold in our hearts the victims of the tsunami – those that lost their lives as well as those who are still struggling to hold their lives together.Yesterday was the first day of classes here at Kodaikanal International School after our 6-week winter holidays.With the whole school gathered together in the morning, a few moments were taken to consider the impact of the tsunami on the world and on people not far from us here in the state of Tamil Nadu.While we spent time considering the grief of the events, we also rejoiced as a community that we did not lose anyone of our school family.Many of our staff and students live or vacation in exactly the areas that were destroyed by the events of December 26th.We have heard many stories of grace – last minute changes of plans, having to settle for a second choice hotel because the beach-front one was full, or a tardy tour bus driver.The tardy driver was what saved a group of school staff who were visiting Sri Lanka.If it wasn't for the delay, at 9 am on the 26th they would have been on the coast road approaching the city of Galle.I'm sure you have seen news images of the devastation of that place and of the 2000 lives lost in a train on exactly the stretch of coast where our friends would have been traveling.Instead, the tour van had just arrived at their hotel about 30 minutes away from Galle.They were standing around it as hotel residents began racing into the parking lot, advancing water bubbling at their feet.They leapt into the van, the driver started up the engine and gunned the motor, sending the van in reverse up the driveway as fast as he could go.By the time they got onto the road, the water was racing around them a foot deep, breaking down low walls and swirling debris.They got out of the van to get to higher ground on foot; the driver climbed a telephone pole.By the grace of God they were able to be with us and share their experience as we started the new school semester.Another of our teachers had been at home in Port Blair on the Andaman Islands.While we worried, without news of her for a week, she was safe and has also been able to rejoin our school community.

Now that we have come back together, our school is planning and beginning to implement a response to the disaster – some way in which we can join our hands with those who are reaching out for help.On New Year's Day a small group of staff and students went to the coastal town of Vellankanni, about an 8-hour drive from Kodaikanal.It is a pilgrimage site where many people lost their lives, including members of one of our cafeteria staff's extended family.The group listened to survivors' stories, shared the food and tarps they brought, spoke with a catholic priest about how to help in the town, and saw for themselves' the tremendous devastation.The church had buried 800 identified bodies and erected a large shed which held 1200 more unidentified bodies.A notice board outside the shed contained pictures of about 200 faces of those inside.When they asked the rector why there were 1200 unidentified corpses and only 200 pictures, he replied that those were the only ones that were not damaged beyond recognition.What sadness and shock fill that community!

We will be returning to Vellankanni on January 28th with a group of nearly 100 staff and students.We will be helping to clean up debris that still clogs the streets and pathways.We will be giving surviving families that are presently staying in the church building, a gift of a Relief Trunk.Many don't have any place to put their few belongings, donated clothing or anything to begin to rebuild a home with.The trucks will contain a tarp that can be used for shelter, a sleeping mat, a couple steel cooking pots, plates and cups, a towel, and an assortment of food and toiletries.Each Relief Trunk costs Rs.1500 (US$ 35) to put together.Staff and students are contributing and we hope to be able to take at least 200 Relief Trunks to Vellankanni.Today a high school science teacher offered to spend a night sleeping in the sample shelter that has been erected on campus, if students gave him enough cash for one Relief Trunk by the end of the day.He had the money in his hands within 15 minutes and is now looking for a warm sleeping bag to borrow (the temperature dipped to freezing last night) and ideas for keeping away the stray dogs that wander the campus at night.I will be a part of the trip to Vellankanni, offering what I can in the way of first aid and nursing care.

David will also be traveling to one of the affected coastal areas of India.He will go to the state of Andhra Pradesh, to the town of Nellore where relief funds are being sent to our Baptist partner churches in that area.A grant from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering has been sent to the Telegu Baptist Convention.David will assist them as they begin to implement a plan for distributing relief supplies to survivors of fishing villages in the area.

It has been hard being so close to the area of devastation, and yet too far to be able to have a clear understanding and ability to make a difference in the suffering.We are grateful that God has led our school to a relationship with one town and one church in that town.We pray that we can make a difference in the lives of some families and orphans in Vellankanni this month, and in the months and years ahead.Thank you for the many ways in which each of you have responded to this global tragedy through prayer and gifts!Each one of us can extend the hand of Christ to those who are hurting.

We have one additional prayer request:Kodaikanal International School, where our family serves, has been in the process of seeking a new principal since the sudden resignation of the previous principal in October 2003.On January 23rd, three candidates for principal will arrive in Kodaikanal for a 2-day interview process.Please pray that Spirit wisdom and discernment will guide those who are making the decisions and that the candidate chosen will be one who will lead the School as it strives to fulfill its Christian mission as well as its educational mission.