Overview of our trip by Dan Kane

We visited 7 coastal villages in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu where we treated over 4500 people. Not all patients we physically treated were tsunami related, but we did see our share of tsunami injuries including broken bones requiring casting, open sores, infected lacerations, injured shoulders, wrists, necks, backs, hips, knees, and ankles. -

Besides addressing physical needs, many of the people who we treated were suffering from deep emotional and psychological terror from the tsunami event. Each day we heard numerous accounts from survivors who lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and other relatives. Some recounted how clinging to palm trees saved them while the devastating
waves crashed through their villages taking lives and destroying their grass huts or brick homes. Members of our team often ministered by lending an ear, praying with and comforting grieving survivors. -

Many of the people affected by the tsunami made their living by fishing. Due to the fact that their simple fishing boats and nets were either destroyed or significantly damaged, many are without a way to meet their basic needs. Relief efforts have provided some assistance, but because many of the villages we visited were located north of the heavy devastation in India, they are often out of reach of the large relief agency efforts. -

Many live in great fear of another tsunami coming without warning. One afternoon a false report that "the water was coming" sent the village into a frenzied panic as they ran further inland to escape the non-existent coming waves. Predominately Hindus, they believe the gods of the seas are angry with them and they don't know why or how to appease them. -

The Dalits or "untouchables of the Indian social structure" living in these villages experience even greater hardships. What aid does arrive in the villages is often taken by the high caste villagers. Members of our team witnessed firsthand acts of discrimination against Dalits. One evening, along with our Indian partners, Operation Mobilization India, we delivered household items (buckets, water pitcher and plates) to a predominately Dalit area. Obviously, there is still much work to be done. Thankfully, our partners with Operation Mobilization India, have committed at least 1 year of ongoing ministry to the villages we visited.