Earthquake update from long-term missionary in Macau
Tue, May 13, 2008
“By now, most of you have heard that there was a big earthquake in west-central China yesterday. I didn’t feel it in Macau, but it was felt as far away as Vietnam and Thailand. And the losses to that part of China have been devastating…estimated over 10,000 dead and many more still buried in the rubble. Transportation has been disrupted. Many visitors to the area are unable to leave yet.
“I feel that God was really looking out for us. My husband, Paul, and I were originally planning to go to that part of China this past weekend to have our wedding celebration with his family members there. We would have been very close to the area hit hardest by the earthquake. We decided to push back that trip to early June so we could have a few extra days there. And it’s obvious to me that God was in that decision in a way we couldn’t foresee.
“We didn’t feel the earthquake here, but it did a lot of damage in the part of China that Paul is from. Between this earthquake and the recent cyclone that killed thousands of people in Myanmar, I’m afraid many people will be asking that age old question, ‘Why does God let bad things like this happen?’ Only in faith can people be willing to believe and accept that God does have ultimate control and that He ultimately wants good for His people, even in a hurting and sinful world. The Bible does say that before the end, there will be earthquakes and famines in various places, and I think this is definitely part of that.
“Please keep the people of Sichuan and that area in your prayers. Pray that this disaster will lead to good and that the church there will be God’s loving hands and feet to reach out to the people in need there.”
Tags: earthquake, Eddy, macau
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Mary and Paul: We’ve been praying for you and Paul here in Taiwan…recently talked with May. We’re thankful that our Heavenly Father has kept you safe during this time…Mike and Irene Paul
Dear Mary and Paul,
Thanks for getting this up on the blog. Please keep praying! There were more pictures on the news tonight (May 16th) about people still being pulled from the collapsed buildings in Sichuan, China. As sad as it is to think of all those whose lives are already gone, the thought of finding even one alive should stir us to action. How much more is that true for us who have been rescued by the power of the Holy Spirit and are called into action by His powerful word!
A number of us here in Hong Kong have begun and will continue to meet with the CCC leadership at both the provincial and national levels as to how the LCMS can best help the local church in the affected areas to respond to the needs around them. As these discussion progress, we hope to make more details of the plans available. Of course many of the needs will be in the area of rebuilding churches and training centers damaged in the quake. A number of individuals have already mentioned the need for counseling for the quake survivors. We will meet this Sunday with one of the provincial leaders to get their assessment.
Please do pray. There are many amazing things happening even as we wait to understand all of what God is doing in these days.
Peace,
Rev. Carl Hanson
LCMS World Mission
Area Facilitator for East Asia
Carl,
Hello from Bettendorf, IA. As a follow up to our Ablaze! studies at Our Savior, our Sunday School children in grades 1-4 will be praying for a missionary family. Your family has been chosen for large group where are all of the kids get together. Is this the best way to interact, or is an email a better way to correspond? Is there additional information you can send our way, that would give the kids some additional insight on what you and your family experience. I look forward to hearing from you when you get the opportunity.
Take Care and we will praying for you, your wife and your children, and families you are impacting.
Gods Blessings,
Karl Schmidt