Below are the observations and reflections of John Woodberry, MAF manager of Disaster Response, who is on-site and has witnessed firsthand the devastation of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh.

John Woodberry
Photo: Operation Blessing

Some experiences in life stop us in our tracks and force us to remember what is important and what is transitory. We should live in that state of knowing it is God’s world and that His grace abounds. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a tragedy to turn us from our self-absorbed worlds and make us realized what we really were placed on earth to be and do.

I am reminded of what Mr. Poritus, deputy minister of Flight Safety in Bangladesh, said as his mind drifted back to childhood memories of 1964. He was just in fourth grade when a cyclone hit. An eight-foot wave hit his village and home, pulling his baby brother out of his mother’s arms. A minute later the surge retreated, and the baby was caught in a tree 30 feet away … still alive. His mother ran to save his baby brother.

Mr. Poritus is now on an MAF flight to his home village of Rayenda. Cyclone Sidr has hit, and he wants to see how his mother is doing. His childhood home is well inland, but he has heard that the cyclone winds of around 160 mph have destroyed his two uncles’ homes, killing a cow.

Thankfully, his family is safe. He is so happy to see his mother, yet sad to see homes near the river completely destroyed. The winds drove a 20-foot wave into this riverside area. Villagers clung to tops of trees to stay alive, but approximately 1,500 died.

Home Severely Damaged by Sidr
Photo: Rune Karlsson, MAF

The deputy minister is much subdued on the return flight. As I talk to him, he speaks about a family that lost five of its members. We sit in silence. What can we do to help?

My thoughts return to the situation in Jelaynora, a poor fishing village on a small river. We arrive with Friendship Hospital staff members, who are assessing a food distribution planned for the next day. People swarm us from all directions wanting to tell their stories, wanting to show their homes, hungry and in need of help. I can still see an older man holding tightly to a child I assume is his grandson, as he describes how they survived. The storm and wave slammed into their homes at night. They awoke clinging to what they could to survive.

1 John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

We have much to do and little time to do it. The floatplane is fully booked day in and day out, supporting those bringing relief and hope to these people. God, give us wisdom to know what is most important. God is calling us to love and serve these people. That is why we are here. Let us not forget.