We know that 80% of the town of Meulaboh in Aceh was destroyed by theTsunami waves and 80% of the people also died. This is one of thetowns that was hit the hardest.But there is a fantastic testimony from Meulaboh.
In that town are about 400 Christians.They wanted to celebrate Christmas on December 25th but were notallowed to do so by the Muslims of Meulaboh. They were told if theywanted to celebrate Christmas they needed to go outside the city ofMeulaboh on a high hill and they can celebrate Christmas there .Because the Christians desired to celebrate Christmas the 400believers left the city on December 25th and after they celebratedChristmas they stayed overnight on the hill.
As we all know, in the morning of Sunday, December 26 -2004 , therewas the earthquake followed by the Tsunami waves destroying most ofthe city of Meulaboh and thousands were killed.The 400 believers were on the mountain and were all saved from destruction.
Now the Muslims of Meulaboh are saying that the God of the Christianspunished us for forbidding the Christians from celebrating Christmas in the city. Others are questioning why so many Muslims died while not even one of the Christians died there.Had the Christians insisted on their rights to celebrate Christmas inthe city, they would have all died. But because they humbledthemselves and followed the advice of the Muslims they all were spareddestruction and can now testify of God's marvelous protection.
This is a testimony of the grace of God and the fact that as believerswe have no rights in the world. Our right is come before God and commit our lives to Him. Our right is kneeling down before the Lordalmighty and commit our ways to Him. He is our Father and is verycapable to care for His children. Praise the Name of the Lord.
Bill Hekman Pastor, Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia