Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.

Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.

But what about a fisherman whose nets have been ripped to shreds by the mighty waters, whose boat has been destroyed by the crushing waves, who was being pulled out to sea but by the grace of God was picked out the grip of the tsunami by a loving son?This man asked us, "What next?"The question is shared by the thousands of fishermen who know only one way to feed their family – by fishing in the waters of the Bay of Bengal.

Near Ongole, in the state Andhra Pradesh, I visited many fishing villages to help deliver aid and to listen.The Telegu Baptist Fellowship set in place a plan to provide 800 families in more then 20 villages with 25 kg. (55 pounds) of rice, using funds sent to them from American Baptists giving to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.That rice would feed a family for about 25 days. Where do you get that much rice?The day I arrived in Ongole, we went to rice mills to shop for 20,000 kg. of rice, 44,000 pounds! This took a good part of a hot day, but we found a man who was willing to give us top quality rice for a very good price and would package it in 25 kg. bags, as we needed.He also helped find the four trucks we needed to move all this rice.

The next day, we drove to the coast with half the rice.Each fisherman had his story to tell and concerns to voice; we listened.On December 26th, 2004, many of these fishermen went out to sea as usual at 5:30 am.The fishing was poor and they noticed some unusual movement of the sea.As always, when the morning fishing was poor, they headed home.They were shocked as they viewed the shore that they knew as home. It was wiped clean for as far as they could see down the coast and scattered around were pieces of boats and nets that were ripped, shredded and useless.They had to land their boats much further inland than normal, some even landing in trees.They had to help each other from being pulled back out to sea by the strong current.This area of India experienced little loss of life, but a way of living was destroyed in just a few hours.What now?

Government officials visited the villages telling the fishermen not to fish in the sea for three months and then gave each family 100 Rupees ($2.25) and a small bag of rice.The fishermen appreciate what was given, but it was not enough.They need to get back to the sea, to work, so they can provide for their families.They need the government to come through with promises for help getting boats fixed and buying new nets.For men whose work earned them only enough to feed their families each day, the cost of new boats and nets is beyond their reach.We listened to their stories and prayed with them, though most were Hindu.One village had a number of Christians and after the prayer with the larger village assembly, they took us aside and asked if we would pray with them separately.What a privilege to share the bond of brotherhood!After each village, I left wishing more could be done.What about protein and vegetables, the boats and nets…?What next?

I enjoyed being with the children in each village.Though shy at first, a quick snap with a digital camera and… voila… instant smiles when they saw themselves in the tiny screen.They loved the attention, and I loved seeing their joyful faces and showing them how beautiful they are.What a surprise to find joy in those who are experiencing hunger and an uncertain future!

I moved down the coast to the city of Nellore to visit an area served by Abundant Life Ministerial Associates (ALMA), headed by Mr. Rufus Kamalakar.I talked with him about his ministry, which centers around an orphanage for 20 children.But for the last 3 weeks, he has been visiting the coastal villages including some tribal villages of the Yanadi people, delivering relief supplies.His teams provide each family with a sack containing 10 kg. of rice, onions, tamarind, chilies, lentils, and oil.These provisions can feed a family for about 10 days.Some who lost their homes were also provided with blankets and straw mats to sleep on.Rufus hopes to make a second round to the villages with vegetables and milk powder if funding allows.This venture is reaching thousands with food for the stomach and food for the soul.ALMA has connection with these villages from much before the tsunami hit, through a network of evangelists who have been working in these villages bringing the light of Christ to the thousands of people living and working along the coast.Many of these villages are very isolated, accessible only by small boat or ox carts through the back waters, and take hours to reach.

One village we visited is called The Lighthouse Village.Yes, there is a lighthouse near by.As I handed the first bag of relief supplies to the village leader, I saw pride and some hope in his eyes.On the beach lay his damaged boat and in the trees his tattered, useless nets.He and the other men of the village took the supplies, but all wanted to get back to the sea.As in the other villages, I spent some time with the children, interrupting their school lessons taking place on the beach.Taking their pictures, I enjoyed their smiles, laughter and shining eyes.Where is the light for those of the Lighthouse village?Though they lost much, there is light.I saw it in the eyes of the village leader and in the eyes of the children.I saw it in the eyes of the evangelists.The light of Christ's love is shining bright with the help of your prayers and your gifts.Your gifts to Baptist World Aid and One Great Hour of Sharing make it possible for those ministering here to bring the Good News to the lighthouse village and to many others who are suffering from the destructive power of the mighty sea in the Ongole and Nellore areas.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."Matthew 5:14-16

Please pray

• that the Indian Government gets into these villages to help supply the needed equipment and repairs and serves its people wisely
• for those providing relief, who have been working long hours for many days
• for the children of the villages, that the joy I saw in their eyes spreads
• for all those who are suffering as a result of the tsunami
• that the light of Christ will be a lighthouse in this storm of suffering