Global Peace Initiative launches rescue mission in tsunami–struck nations

New Delhi – A Houston–based evangelist is on a mission to rescue thousands of children orphaned by the tsunami disaster in Asia. Recently, Dr. K.A. Paul, founder and president of Global Peace Initiative (GPI), departed from Cincinnati on his ministry's Boeing 747 with 76,000 pounds of antibiotics, food and water for tsunami victims in India and Sri Lanka.

The flight complements an international relief response to the Dec. 26 tsunamis, including assistance from private organizations and U.S. military forces. The toll of confirmed deaths has reached more than 145,000 people, with at least 5 million left homeless, the Associated Press reported.

“Our immediate goal is to rescue up to 2,000 children orphaned by the tsunami,” Paul said. “Many of them are currently being moved into GPI emergency shelters scattered up and down the coasts of Sri Lanka and India.. ... With God as our help, we will see to it that every single orphan in all 11 countries struck by the catastrophe is adopted.”

Paul's Charity City, a children orphanage near Hyderabad, India, is considered the world's largest children's home. Funded largely by Cincinnati Reds owner Carl Lindner, GPI (www.globalpeacenow.com) established the home in 2000 and it currently houses approximately 1,000 orphans.

Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, Paul didn't cancel plans for a crusade this weekend in Andhra Pradesh, which suffered casualties. “It's an incredible opportunity to preach the gospel like never before,” Paul, 41, told CharismaNow. “God can absolutely use this situation to bring more people into His kingdom than ever before from these countries.”

Paul has been called the world's most popular evangelist and “the Billy Graham of India.” When he travels to India, millions of people attend his services.

Along with Paul, the GPI team that departed on Global Peace One, the world's only privately owned Boeing 747, includes former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, Lindner and a group of 94 medical specialists, search and rescue team members and volunteers.