Family members and loved ones of the AirAsia crash victims gathered in a tiny chapel in Surabaya and  held a prayer vigil on Sunday, finding comfort in the Reverend's message that their kin is already in 'God's loving arms.'

Tired and emotionally drained, the family members sang, prayed, and cried at the chapel at Surabaya, the city where flight 8501 departed nine days ago before it crashed in the Java Sea.

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The 162 passengers and crew onboard the doomed flight are believed to have all been killed in the December 28 tragedy.

Reverend Philip Mantofa, who heads the congregation at Mawar Sharon Church, urged the groups to find solace in their faith in the face of tremendous difficulties they are currently facing.

More than a quarter of the passengers who perished were members of the church, the Reverend said.

"If God has called your child, allow me to say this: Your child is not to be pitied," Rev.Mantofa said as he looked into the eyes of a grieving mother who was seated in front.

"Your child is already in God's arms. One day, your family will be reunited in heaven," he added.

More bodies placed inside simple white boxes adorned by flowers continue arriving in Surabaya after painstakingly being pulled from the water by divers. The city has been gripped by grief since the tragedy happened more than a week ago.

Three more bodies have been recovered by the divers last Sunday, bringing the total number of bodies recovered at 34.

Air and sea assets deployed by the international community to help in the recovery of the bodies, black boxes, and the wreckage have been facing difficulties in their search efforts as heavy rains and large waves continue to hamper their operations.

The multinational search and rescue operation consists of 20 planes and helicopters, and 27 ships from Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States.

At least five large objects have been detected  by the search teams using sonar equipment but could not confirm on whether or not these objects are part of the plane's  wreckage.

Several small objects have been spotted in coastlines of some beaches but so far, nothing has been confirmed yet.

TagsSurabaya, Reverend Philip Mantofa, AirAsia, crash victims, MH17 crash victims