Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

On December 26, 2004, Deacon Ned Berghausen witnessed the Indian Ocean tsunami from a building on Koh Phi Phi Island in Thailand. The disaster claimed over 220,000 lives. As the 20th anniversary approaches, Deacon Berghausen reflects on how surviving this event changed his life.

“It was profoundly transformative,” stated Deacon Berghausen, who is currently serving at St. Agnes Church in the Highlands. He attributes his commitment to Christianity and his role as a deacon to this experience.

Deacon Berghausen recalls sensing God's presence during that time of immense suffering. Reflecting on the date of the tsunami, which coincides with the feast of St. Stephen, he noted its significance: “The Christmas message is Emmanuel, God is with us. To follow Christmas with the feast of St. Stephen reminds us God is with us in dark times.”

Before experiencing the tsunami, Deacon Berghausen described himself as "agnostic," though he attended Mass at St. William Church. At that time, he was exploring his path in life at age 24 and had joined the Peace Corps to teach English in Bangladesh.

In December 2004, he traveled to Koh Phi Phi for a break when a powerful earthquake struck off Indonesia's coast, causing devastating waves across multiple countries.

Following the disaster, Deacon Berghausen joined other tourists and locals to rescue those affected by wading through floodwaters to bring people to safety.

He later learned about the high number of casualties on Koh Phi Phi Island and expressed gratitude for witnessing acts of courage during rescue efforts: “I am grateful to have seen the courage (of those who responded to help victims) and to see God’s work in action.”

Despite surviving, Deacon Berghausen has dealt with survivor's guilt but does not believe he was spared due to worthiness; rather, he considers himself fortunate while recognizing that “God can work through suffering and evil.”

Surviving this catastrophe opened him up spiritually: “Surviving the tsunami ‘opened me to God’s grace,’” he said.

His experiences both before and after led him toward serving others: “I came slowly out of those experiences with a desire to serve people and help alleviate suffering."