On December 26,2004 thousands of lives were lost, countless homes destroyed, and millions of innocent men, women, and children suffered grievously when the tsunami roared through our region.

Hardly anyone anywhere could remain indifferent to this calamity.

For us as Shluchim - emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - our outlook changed radically on December 26th of last year (Tevet 14, 5765.)

When my family moved to Thailand 13 years ago, we were expecting to tend to the small Jewish community that has been here since the sixties.

Only after our arrival did we discover the “backpackers” phenomenon -- hundreds of thousands of traveling young Jews -- for whom we started extensive programs. We created a network of “home away from home” Chabad centers geared especially to the needs of these young, searching Jews.

And last year, when the tsunami struck it became clear to us that the Rebbe had sent us here not only for the local community, not just for the itinerant young travelers, but indeed for the 60 million inhabitants of Thailand .

In the aftermath of this terrible disaster, the Shluchim in Thailand tended to the victims regardless of race or faith. They were all human beings formed in the image of G-d who needed and deserved all the help they could get.

Many have asked us rather incredulously: “How do Chabad rabbis get so involved in the field of disaster relief, home improvement, or toy distribution in a country where Judaism is not even a recognized minority?”

My standard, and somewhat flip answer has been, “We actually didn't have a ‘board meeting' to plan our humanitarian response, nor did we first establish a budget for saving lives.” The truth is, we didn't have time to think at all -– we reacted reflexively to a situation beyond our worst nightmares.

The Torah teaches us to react effectively and swiftly when others are in need. It is toward this G-dly ideal that we constantly strive: to help make this world a better place –- “ letaken olam b'malchut Sha-dai .”

Chabad of Thailand has been lauded for its significant role in alleviating the suffering of those who survived the tsunami, as well as identifying and maintaining the dignity and ritual integrity of the bodies of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Yet, we feel that we deserve no special credit for what we did.

For this is precisely our mission as Shluchim. We go out anywhere and everywhere in the world, wherever a Jew – indeed, any human being – might need us. To save lives, to teach Torah, to provide spiritual guidance and, most importantly to reveal the innate good, the spark of G-d, within humanity and within creation.

Thus, distributing food and toys to those in need is actually very characteristic of our mission. Because the A-lmighty desires that each of us, with our own efforts, work to make this world a better place, bringing it ever closer to its ultimate perfected state with the coming of Moshiach.

If we deserve any praise at all, we share it with every one of the thousands of Shluchim and Lubavitch rabbinic interns, in thousands of Chabad outposts around the world, who would do just as we did, anywhere, anytime, in living up to the Rebbe's expectations of each of us.

But if anyone deserves special thanks, it is the hundreds of caring people like you who supported our efforts through your generous contributions. Your kindness enabled us to do what we were supposed to, and for this and your continued support of the Rebbe's Shluchim the world over, we are forever grateful.