Lombok Earthquake Relief (Indonesia)

Over the past week 2 major earthquakes (6.9 Magnitude) have hit the tiny island of Lombok, Indonesia, leaving over 100 dead and thousands without homes and food/water. This is where my friend Brock and I lived over the summer from May 18th-June 15th for the whole month of Ramadan. We traveled the island over that period of time living with the local villagers and created relationships with the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. The people of Lombok are the most welcoming, selfless, and generous people I know. Already living in poverty and in a 3rd world country, they would treat us like family and would welcome us into there lifestyle with them. They had so much to offer us even though they had nothing, providing us with meals, experiences, shelter, and more, often not ever letting us give them a dime in return. They would go out on a limb to help us with anything we needed. Two of our closest local friends there, Lalu Budiarto and Arif Sapriyanto, have had to move there families to other villages due to the destructions of the earthquake. With there own homes and villages already damaged, they are in other villages with shelter of people, helping others and proving food/water/supplies for those in need. I sent money to them yesterday through western union to help them, and they quickly used it to give supplies to the local people in need, and sent me pictures of those they helped holding signs saying “Thanks a lot Mac”. I quickly realized they could use much more than what they have received from me. With how far the dollar goes in Indonesia, every penny would help immensely. They need it much more than we ever will. All funds will be sent to our local life long brothers Budi and Arif (as mentioned above), who are spending each day helping everyone around them. Every donation helps and would mean so much, to help the people of Lombok. They would do the same for us in a heartbeat if we were in the same situation.