an update from my missionary friends in China . . . Laura
Howdy All,Today started out pretty slow. Actually things slowed down yesterday while I waited for this afternoon to roll around and my meeting with Heart to Heart, the disaster relief group that I will be working with. Last night, after I got back to my hotel room from dinner, I got a phone call from the desk. I was informed that another quake was predicted to hit sometime between then and 06:00 today; I was invited to spend the night in the lobby. It may not be five star, I don't have a bathroom, but my room does have a bed. Earthquake or no, I was sleeping in my bed. I did go down and check and sure enough they had moved all of the furniture against the walls and people were bringing their bedding down. Since the news had apparently gone out to the whole city, I was curious to see what was going on in the streets.
From my window things sounded noisier than usual. I had a rented bike from my trip out to DuJiangYan and headed out to take a ride around the middle of the city where I am staying. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. The streets were lined with people planning to spend the night in the open rather than risk being inside if a quake hit. It was a crazy mix of carnival, family reunion and Boy Scout Camporee. It seemed that there wasn't an open area not occupied by campers. People roamed the streets alone and in groups carrying bedding, wearing backpacks or dragging suitcases looking for a good place to sleep. Some were even sleeping on islands in the middle of busy intersections. Crazy! One thing I noticed; there wasn't a single beer bottle to be seen. The Chinese tend to drink quite a bit at times but not at this time. I started really looking at the groups as I rode by. A lot of people were playing cards, laughing and conversing but I didn't see a single drinker in the bunch. I rode home, went to bed and woke up without a single shake throughout the whole night. As I was coming back from my meeting today, grassy areas were already beginning to fill with campers.The meeting with the group was very encouraging. Like minded folk sharing my sense of this being a long term project and a desire to make an eternal impact. The group falls under the authority of the Red Cross and is allowed to deliver supplies to any area they can reach. I know at least one of the men involved and worked with him nearly 9 years ago. This is a very solid group and I look forward to helping them in any way that I can. Here is a list of the needs as they were explained to me today. They are not in any particular order.
1. Small teams of workers, 4 to 5 people. The teams can include foreigners but they must be foreigners that have been in China for more than four months. Exceptions are being made for medical personnel and other critical areas. The members must be prepared to work outdoors, have proper footwear and clothing. Necessary water and food for volunteers will be provided on trips out.
2. Chinese speaking grief counselors. I think mature, solidly grounded folks are a good start but this kind of thing really requires someone who can listen and may have had a little training in doing so.
3. Help from outside the country should probably be financial. I will have a contact address and way to send funds to the organization in the next couple of days. For what it is worth, the guys have been here a long time and seem properly squared away.
4. Help inside China:
a. Tents. There are not enough to go around, not even close. The military has provided for many but outside of town centers I have not seen a single tent and most of the population lives in the hills and areas around the towns. It did rain a bit today but so far the weather is holding. The insects are not as bad as our little island paradise but it can't be good sleeping under canvas and plastic tarps.
b. Medical supplies that can be purchased here. I would like to be able to purchase goods in the South and bring them here. There are already shortages of these items. These would include: latex gloves, face masks, antibiotics and pain meds.
c. Water purification: Water is an issue especially in hard to reach areas. It is much easier to hump in water purifiers or water tablets than it is to carry enough water to keep people supplied. The area has water in creeks, streams and wells but it is not necessarily clean.
d. Many people in other parts of China have friends and family in the area. We need vehicles, with or without drivers, to take teams into the affected areas that can be reached by road. That area gets larger day by day as more roads are cleared.
5. My buddy John: he has this crazy idea of passing out 700 rechargeable flashlights and then going on a regular circuit to exchange charged lights for used ones. He is a loon but that is the way to build relationships and make sure people really see the light. The principle is sound and after visiting Dujianyan and seeing only candles and lighters he may have the best original idea I have heard yet. The light of the world, imagine that!
5. Last, and certainly most important, please keep this place lifted up. Men are just men and prone to all kinds of foolishness. Most people have been helped by the initial response but now they are waiting. The government has hustled to do the best for everyone and now people seem to be waiting for them to put their lives back together again. We know the old refrain, all the kings horses and all the kings men... I don't know what will happen when people's expectations are not completely met. Please lift up soft hearts, patience and the presence of peace. Please lift up the government. Praise the boss for the work they have done. Lift up that they would have wisdom and resource to give real help to the people. Please lift up those that have rushed here to help. A bit of a bottle neck has formed and people are working around the clock to coordinate the need and the available personnel and supplies. Please lift up OFH as everyone does their best to continue to study, teach and support what is happening here.
Thank you for lifting us up. Thank you for responding in what ever way the boss calls you. It's a body and it moves smoothly and effectively only when the son is the head. There is much to be done here and most especially much that the body has been called to do. I thank the boss for your being a part of that. In the vine, Tim and the clan
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