Whether miracles are done either by the hand of God, the probability of fate or whimsically happen because some are lucky, the salvation of four young Australians and two Indonesians after their boat sank is worth rejoicing (Surfers catch a wave of luck, DT, Aug 16). At nearby Aceh in 2004, after the Boxing Day tsunami, a four-man medical team from Westmead Hospital answered the international call for help, performing emergency procedures for weeks afterwards and sowing the seeds of national goodwill and healing after the 2002 Bali bombings. Perhaps the timely rescue of our young adventurers in an environment of shark-straddled waters, stifling heat and unquenchable thirst was a divine reward for efforts passed. Either way, many prayers were rightly answered and our collective hearts jumped for joy as news broke. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 17Aug2023.