e-StudioMax clients missing after Tsunami in Asia

A New Zealand couple, Andrew and Belinda Welch, who are e-StudioMax clients, are missing after the Tsunami hit the beach resort they were holidaying in.

The newley wed couple were travelling around the world and had planned to spend a year helping an orphanage in Thailand. They were staying at the southern Thailand beach resort of Khao Lak when the tsunami struck.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Brad Tattersfield says fears that they have been killed are still not confirmed.

Meanwhile a chilling prediction has emerged from the Khao Lak beach tourist resort in south Thailand. Local police now say up to 3,000 people may have perished there. More than 1,800 bodies have been recovered from the beach and luxury hotels, popular with Western and Asian tourists.

Hotel owners say most of the 5,000 rooms on Khao Lak were full when the tsunami hit.

A friend of the famillies son is helping to search for the couple in Phuket.

We ask that you would join us in praying that Andrew and Belinda are soon found and that they are both safe and well.

(Picture shows John Croft, who is waiting for news of his daughter and son-in-law.)

UPDATE: Andrew & Belinda are still missing and are now presumed dead by their family. It may still take some months before they can be identified amounst the bodies recovered in Thailand - if they are found at all. A mermorial service is to be held for Belinda & Andrew on the 14th of January at the Assembly of God church in Esmond Rd, Takapuna, Auckland - all are welcome.

Andrew & Belinda's website is www.welchandwelch.com. The family has posted a memorial message on the front page along with details of the memorial service as well as contact details for more information.

UPDATE: 14-3-05: Belinda's body has been formally identified, but Andrew's body has still not been found. As of two weeks ago, 2000-post mortems are still to be done.