In 2004 her home was devastated by a Tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Miraculously, she managed to survive despite her physical disabilities. Even so, while the world gasped in horror, her life lay in tatters and all hope seemed lost. But today through the generosity of the GOD TV family, she has a new home and television set which enables her to share the same life-changing message she has experienced with her whole neighbourhood by way of the GOD Channel.

This is the story of Shiryawati, one of the many people GOD TV has been able to help through our Tsunami Relief fund, but one which so graphically illustrates what can be accomplished when God’s people reach out to those hurting. GOD TV’s ‘roving reporter’, Bo Sander reports...

While on a mission to Sri Lanka in July last year, I came across a dear woman living in a makeshift shelter on the north east coast of the island. Her name was Shiryawati and she had lost everything in the Tsunami. She couldn’t walk and was living in dire poverty. The Lord put it upon my heart to help her. Through GOD TV’s Tsunami Relief fund, we were able to buy her a piece of ground in the city of Trincomale and start to build her a home, especially equipped for her situation.

What a privilege it was for me to welcome Shiryawati into her new home when I returned to Sri Lanka in December and shared in her joy and excitement. More than 50 people gathered to celebrate the occasion including her Muslim and Hindu neighbours, and the local newspaper were curious to know what God she had been praying to who had provided her with one of the nicest houses in the neighbourhood!

This is a testimony of God’s love and provision through the generosity of GOD TV’s partners and is acknowledged by a sign saying “Gifted by GOD TV, Angel Foundation”. Shiryawati now has a home with electricity and running water; two bedrooms, a kitchen, toilet and shower. What makes her most happy, she says, is her new living room where she can watch the GOD Channel with her neighbours.

During my visit to Sri Lanka to follow up on our Tsunami Fund projects, Sri Lanka representative, David Nicolle and I also had the opportunity to meet our viewers and hear testimonies of how their lives are being impacted by GOD TV.

It is clear that people are watching GOD TV all over the island via satellite dish as well as by cable in the capital, Colombo. We met many excited viewers who appreciate the spiritual input and are committed to their walk with Christ.

One of our most extraordinary viewers is Rajah, who we visited in the southern jungle area of Sri Lanka. A former prisoner, he has a heart to help others find freedom in Jesus and is using GOD TV to help some 200 drug addicts in a rehabilitation camp.

Known as one of the worst criminals in Sri Lankan history, Rajah was in solitary confinement when he received Jesus into his life. He was given a sandwich wrapped in a newspaper containing a Bible verse. Through that single snippet of God’s Word he was gloriously saved and now realises how valuable sound Bible teaching can be to those struggling to overcome addiction.

He may look like a Hindu guru with his long hair, beard and distinctive clothing, but Jesus is all over him, he has such a love for people and he is well known all over Sri Lanka. Rajah thanks God for GOD TV which he says plays a fundamental part in successful rehabilitation and he and his team now want to take the Channel into all 18 major prisons on the island.

Praise Jesus, these are just two of many wonderful examples of what the Lord is doing through GOD TV in just one small part of the world. What a powerful tool, God’s Word available 24/7 around the globe on the GOD Channel.