earthquake aftermath thoughts

Well, the news from earthquake affected areas just gets worse and worse as personal stories emerge and the extent of the destruction is realized. I have a love/hate relationship with the news... part of me wants to read and read and read article after article, but there is another part of me that doesn't want to see any more photos or read any more news, it's so very sad.

It feels very strange that my life can go on as "normal" (washing breakfast dishes, making up enchiladas for dinner, reading books with the girls) while not-too-far-away lives have been wrecked forever and it will be ages before the survivors have anything that resembles a "normal" day again.

News and conversation is, of course, saturated with the earthquake and the devastation it left behind. Our friends north of us continue to feel aftershocks - several as high as 6 on the Richter scale. A mom friend of mine was home with her three sleeping little girls when the earthquake occurred.... snatched them up and ran out of her building, no time for putting on shoes or grabbing extra clothing. Thankfully, there was no damage to her home and everyone is safe. But unsettled.

So many children were just starting an afternoon of classes when their school buildings collapsed (Chinese schools break over the lunch hour and resume classes at 2pm - the quake struck at 2:30). Many peasants and farm laborers would have been outside in the fields, and probably spared from damage caused by collapsing structures. But children and teachers were inside.

With no medical training, and two little girls in tow, I am certainly not a "potential asset" to the rescue efforts. So, I pray. For wisdom for the rescue workers and government officials directing the efforts. That the rain will stop and those huddled outside in the cold will be able to get something warm to eat, dry clothes to wear and a safe place to sleep at night. That believers in the area will be confident in the goodness of their Lord, despite their circumstances.