18 :: This Just In
Dear Prayer Partners,
More than 100 hours have now passed since the earthquake struck. Though in disaster relief the first 72 hours is given as the optimum survival time, still today more than 100 were brought out of the rubble of collapsed buildings alive. The search for missing goes on.
The extent of the Sichuan earthquake tragedy continues to unfold. The government is already looking into the possibility that substandard construction is the cause of such a large number of schools collapsing. The official count of those killed is 29,000; however, the government has mentioned 50,000 deaths. Some remote areas are still not reached. Adding to the tragedy is the deadly dilemma that dams in the area may break, drowning rescuers and any remaining survivors.
Then there are the injured and homeless. Dr. Matthew Koh, President of MSI, reports from Mianyang that 10,000 are being housed in the local stadium. Outlying counties are still without electricity. We will be buying power generators for use in the counties. Water is in desperately short supply with some fighting for it when bottled water was being distributed. Crowded, unsanitary conditions are now becoming the breeding ground for epidemics.
Matthew and his small advance team of 4 arrived in Mianyang, a city of 5 million, on the 15th. Here more than 18,000 were reported missing. Doors were opened in a miraculous way as MSI was welcomed to work with the Mianyang Central Hospital. From there they were taken to 2 outlying counties to help with their county hospital. Originally, the team wanted to go to the Qiang minority area but the scene there is one of total devastation - only dead bodies.
Based in 3 centers, our medical teams will live in tents they are bringing in. Their work will proceed in 3 stages of service: 1. surgical; 2. internal medicine; and 3. post-trauma counseling. Later, people with skills in administration and management will be needed to train local leaders.
Following the advance team, a second team of 7 from Taiwan, lead by Dr. Chen from 2 Christian hospitals, and 10 more from Yunnan, lead by Dr. Russell Zinn reached Chengdu today. Dr. Leung Chung Ying will lead a medical team of 8 from Hong Kong tomorrow. Another team from Taiwan will go in on May 21. Dr. Philemon Choi from Breakthrough in Hong Kong will lead a team of experienced counselors to begin their important work in counseling and in training local people in post-trauma counseling.
It is marvelous to see how the Lord is providing for this mission of mercy. Dragon Air has offered free tickets and excess baggage allowances for all our teams flying in with medical supplies from Hong Kong. The Public Health officials in Chengdu and Mianyang have also provided free transportation. Contributions continue to be received from prayer partners and friends around the world.
Please stand in prayer with China and her leaders at this critical time of deep distress. Remember the missing, the injured, the thousands who have lost children, husbands, wives and other loved ones. With China’s one child policy, just think what it must mean to a family to lose their only son or daughter!
It is thrilling to see how Chinese Christians from other provinces in China are responding in an outpouring of love in this great relief effort. Pray that their Good Samaritan concern will alleviate suffering, bring comfort, and result in the advance the gospel. How can we not stand with them?
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:34-40Your brother in His service,
Jim
May 19th, 2008 at 7:00 pm EST
Check out this story. It talks about a husband who threw his arms around his wife just as the earthquake hit and their apartment building collapsed around them. They were trapped together in that embrace for twenty-eight hours, taking turns breathing and willing each other to stay alive. Simply amazing.