Indonesia (MNN) – From celebration to devastation, Indonesia’s Independence Day was overshadowed as a 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the eastern part of the country.

The quake struck off the coast of Flores Island on Saturday, killing at least 68 people and injuring more than 200. Over 1,300 homes were damaged, and roughly 12,800 people displaced.

Daniel Saputra, international director for Southeast Asia with Trans World Radio (TWR), says reaching survivors is a major issue.

“There [are] some people still missing because the location that was hit by the earthquake is quite remote, actually. The island is a big island, but then transportation to some of the places is still very challenging.”

Flores Island (Image by Cherene Saradar from Pixabay)

Saputra says that for disaster survivors, “Their suffering is actually longer because all the trauma is actually still with them for many years after the incident itself.”

TWR is already uniquely positioned to provide spiritual comfort amid devastation. The ministry’s local partners are on the ground providing emergency relief, while TWR broadcasts Gospel hope through radio.

TWR developed its “Hope Prevails” programming after the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. The trauma-healing programs address the emotional and spiritual wounds left by disasters.

“We came up with these 60 programs of trauma healing to help them see that there is still hope even after all these disasters,” Saputra says. “And even in the later programs, we say there is God [who] is willing to help. He is there, and He’s approachable. We just need to come to Him, and then we will get refuge on Him.”

(Photo courtesy of TWR)

The ministry has already seen Gospel outreach doors open through disaster response.

Saputra shares, “Sometimes the radio station is a radio station [run by a different religion], but because they know that we are doing good and we are helping the survivors, they ask for more programs from us.

“Then it’s like a door-opener for us to bring more ministry towards this group of people in that location – not just the trauma healing, but also other ministries. We can actually bring the Good News to the people in that location.”

Pray God makes a way for emergency responders to reach survivors who may still be buried in the rubble. And pray TWR’s message of hope in Christ reaches people who are traumatized and grieving.

You can make a difference by giving to TWR’s Indonesia Earthquake Response Project.

Header photo courtesy of TWR.