Dhanusha - An year ago on tsunami day...

It’s almost an year ago the disaster occurred and devastated many nations. I thought it might be appropriate to share something that happened in my life; how I escaped from the great disaster, tsunami that hit Sri Lanka in December 2004. It was a Sunday and for some reason or the other that particular Sunday I didn’t go to church. I was at home and as usual being a typical girl, I was on the phone for quite some time. Suddenly the telephone line got cut and I received a call from one of my relatives asking whether anything was wrong at my end at that moment - (meaning if any water level was rising). I had no clue of it. Then I was curious and wanted to know what was happening???.

I went to the road and I saw a large crowd standing closer to the sea. (By the way I live 80 meters away from the sea). So I decided to go and have a closer look as to what was going on. It was around 10:30 am. I went closer to the sea as I was a bit curious to know what was going on. When I went there to the scene, I was told that the sea water came passing the railway lines and washed the temporary houses that were there on the other side of the railway lines (closer to the sea side). The people who were living in the temporary houses were taking their belongings to other side of the road. But the sea was quite normal. Then I returned home thinking that things like this happen once in a blue moon and didn’t take it seriously.

I received couple of calls after I returned home asking me to vacate the house (mind you I was alone at home as my parents were out of the country). Then I thought it’s not a joke and wanted to take the valuables and started packing my things. My fiancé was supposed to come and pick me up. In the mean time I wanted to let my annex (adjoining house) folks know that I will be vacating the house (It was 11.50pm). While I was talking to the annex folks my fiancé came and rang the bell. I knew it was him and gladly opened the gate. Then suddenly he saw the three-wheeler in which he came was reversing and taking off. Immediately when he turned his eyes towards the seaside he saw the waves coming rushing towards our house and he quickly grabbed my hand.

When I came out of the house I saw the wave. It was about 3 feet high with all the debris (the wave had washed away all the temporary houses that were there near the sea). We saw the wave in 50 meters distance. We didn’t have much time to think of anything other than to run for our lives - as fast as we could. All the people on the road too were running to save their lives irrespective whether they were old or young.

We ran for 250 meters and then went into one of his relatives’ house. Hoever we wanted to know what happened to our house, as I didn’t lock the doors. So after 30 minutes we again came back to our house and we saw that our front gate was broken down. This was the exact place where I was standing and talking to the annex people. The front gate could not hold the pressure of the wave along with the debris and had fallen down. The water level inside the house must have been around 1.5 feet in height. Thank God in the correct time HE sent HIS son to save my life from the great wave. Though there was a traffic jam at that time when my fiancé came home to pick me, but still God sent him in the right time to rescue my life.

It was a miracle and I still can’t believe how everything that happened. But I know for sure, without a shadow of doubt that God’s protecting hand was on me and HE saved me from the waves. I’m alive today because of HIM. All glory to HIM and HIM alone.

In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me. (Psalms 86:7)

Written By Dhanusha Spencer from Sri Lanka