Yesterday my three sons and I went up to the earthquake stricken zone to bring water, food, clothes and tarps to people near BeiChuan.  We went past MianYang into JiangYou and then westward towards Beichuan.  We went through some very small villages.  The further west we went the more destruction we saw.  When we got closer to Beichuan the road was closed.  They would allow us in by foot but told us that everyone had been evacuated already.  Since we wanted to pass out supplies and bless people we turned around and looked for people in need.

We stopped along the road where there were 15 or so people congregated.  We got out to pass out water and mantou (steamed bread).  The people were initially reluctant to take it saying there were others who needed it more but I think they were just overwhelmed and didn’t know how to accept.  Behind them was a former valley that was now filled with perhaps 50-100 meters of dirt and gravel.  On either end of the dirt slide you could see clusters of homes.  They told us that there had been 10 or more clusters (units) of homes down there that were now buried.  They estimated more than 100 people had been buried (one person estimated 300).  I met one man whose home and family had all survived.  Their homes were at the edge of the slide.  I asked if they could still live in their homes and he said no.  My son and I put up a tarp over a “lean-to” that had been built.  After we had been there maybe 20-30 minutes the village head came out to thank us.  He convinced people to take the clothes we had brought.  They had been giving their clothes to survivors and needed replacements.

Next we next drove down a dirt road to a small village.  We got out and talked to the families and passed out water and food.  They said they needed rice, cooking oil and medicine.  They sent us down a dirt path to a the Wang Family.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget this experience.  We carried water and food down a trail to the Wang Family Compound.  There were 5 homes all next to each other.  One was completely destroyed, another had one wall collapsed and dirt filling most of the room.  The ceiling had partially fallen in and the concrete floor looked like it had been hit with sledge hammers.  In the next room broken bowls were on the ground.

While we were talking to them an after-shock came.  It was a strong jolt but very short.  I was looking at Mr. Wang when the after-shock hit and he jumped back and had a look of terror on this face.  As soon as it stopped he put down a basket he was carrying and sat on it.  He looked utterly defeated.  After a few minutes I knelt down and put my arm around his shoulders.  He put his head on my shoulder and we both let the tears flow.  He was so helpless and in shock.  I told him many times “God loves you” “don’t worry”, etc.  Before we left we asked if we could pray for them.  I prayed and then a local friend prayed.  He said “this is probably the first time they have heard the name of Jesus.”

Altogether we were gone for 13 hours and came back exhausted.  We all shed some tears and said many prayers.  So many people are hopeless.  The earth, that was their source of sustenance through farming, was now betraying them.  So many families were separated, children in boarding schools (even elementary students), husbands in larger cities looking for work.  Without electricity or cell phone service they don’t know if family member are okay.

On the way out we gave a ride to Mr. Liu who was trying to get to another town.  While we were driving he asked us to stop the car and we picked up a woman.  We soon found out that it was his wife.  They had lost 7 members of their family when the mountain collapsed.  Mrs. Liu told us that for the first three days she didn’t talk or even cry.  She was just in shock.  It was obvious that she had been crying recently and we were glad to give them a ride.  When we let them off, she smiled for the first time.  I think she was relieved to be in a “safer” place and joined with her family.

We drove 430 kilometers yesterday, passed out 13 cases of water, more than 200 pieces of mantou, lots of instant noodles, two large suitcases of clothes, and one hundred meters of water proof tarp for shelter.

A friend of mine and his family are serving in China. Shortly after the earthquake he emailed me the following account of what it was like when the earthquake hit.

Monday Afternoon
My wife and kids are at home and haven’t felt any shaking where they are. As it happens, I was at an out of town meeting when the room started to shake. We ran for the doorways, though I doubted they would provide much protection if the concrete building we were in crumbled. We are all safe. When the shaking stopped, we went outside.

I am just 50 miles from the epicenter. I heard that some older buildings fell, but I have seen no damage where I am. It is a little hard to know what might be damage and what was already broken…

People have all headed to the streets. Shops are closed. I am sitting outside Starbucks using their wireless Internet to read on line about happened.

A friend is with me who wants to go to the west side of the city but he said no buses or taxis are going that way. He wasn’t sure if that was “not allowed” or “not able” (roadways overwhelmed).

Good news is we are all safe.

Monday Evening
We went to our hotel and found that some tiles fell off the wall and crashed on the lobby floor. They weren’t letting anyone in the building so we walked about 20 minutes to a western restaurant. On the way we saw a broken plate glass window. Another building had big cracks in it, but they may have just been the plaster that was broken.

Most places were closed. Some said they have no electric but we saw lights on in various places. While eating our supper, there was an aftershock.

We went back to the hotel and were able to get in at 9PM “to get our things” from our 15th floor room but we stayed inside until there was a substantial aftershock. We reevaluated and headed back outside until midnight. The hotel people and government said it was OK to go back into newer buildings.

Most people didn’t feel comfortable with that and stayed outside for the night. Many bought tents to stay in. People were everywhere outside. Very few apartments had lights on. The park across the street was covered with people.

Tuesday Morning
I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until morning. My room mate said there were several aftershocks through the night. As we woke, there were two more. Even now as I am typing, things are wiggling around.

We will dress and see if we can find some food. Our hotel doesn’t have water or gas. The maintenance people shut it off for safety.

It is raining now, so I imagine many of those who we outside went in. Only tents remained in the park in the morning.

We are very grateful to be safe. I guess you are hearing reports as much we are. I heard two NPR reporters were in town doing another story when the earthquake came. I listened to their reports via www.npr.com.

Things are still shaking. There have been 23 earthquakes since the big one yesterday. (You can keep up with the shaking at this web site http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php) We are feeling those shakes, and no we are not enjoying it. We just don’t know if we should sit tight or take off out the door. It makes us nervous each time things move. But I think we are OK nonetheless. I am scheduled to fly out tomorrow night but I hear the airport is crazy.

One of my colleagues was ordered out of his apartment. Since it is an older building, it was feared unsafe. His family slept outdoors. Today he shared with us how much his family takes for granted…being able to cook, shelter from rain, running water, and so on. They are back in their apartment now.

Tuesday Evening
Thanks for remembering our staff and myself. Also remember those doing recovery and relief efforts. Most of the damage is in a mountainous area. Since it is raining, there are landslides and road are damaged. Melissa Block’s audio report at www.npr.com is quite moving as she describes the parents’ reaction as workers dig through rubble that was once a school. Continue to pray for this country too. This is a very proud year for them as they host the Olympics. They want very much to earn “face” or respect in the world. Yet, there are so many issues that threaten that possibility. This year has seen many challenges: extreme winter weather, tainted exported products, Tibet, a troubled Olympic torch run, hand-foot-mouth disease, a major train wreck (http://voanews.com/english/2008-04-29-voa12.cfm), this earthquake and so on. The leadership of this country really needs our prayers.

Wednesday Morning
We watched coverage from local TV stations last night. Some of the scenes were pretty gruesome. CNN doesn’t show those same things, thankfully. Perhaps it is the reaction of that parents that is most moving. Parents long for their child to be found and fear that they are dead. Our Father also longs to for these children.

Last night after praying before bed, the room started shaking. I was reminded of Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken…” I slept fine, although there were more earthquakes in the night.

We have resumed our meetings today as much as we can. It is lunchtime and I have heard that the water to this city of four million has been shut off for three days. I don’t know the reason, maybe to repair damaged pipes. One area of the city has some flooding due to a broken pipe.

A friend had gone to the airport and says it is very crazy there. He is at his gate with lots of people and no airplane in sight. My flight is scheduled for 8:30 PM but the flights that are going our are several hours late. Maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of the flights are canceled.

Outside the office here, life is going on pretty much as normal, except that people are buying up water. Gas for cars is limited to 4 gallons per fill up.

Later we learned that it was a rumor that the water was to be shut off. Every little shop was sold out of water and other basic food stuffs as a result. I think it shows how edgy people are. The water was back on in an hour or so.

Some of the folks who live here have been doing what they can to help. They sent two vehicles to the affected areas loaded with water, tarps and other supplies. One man is a doctor who is taking medical supplies. Because of the broken roads, he couldn’t get through yesterday and is trying a new route today.

The thought of leaving is sweet and sour. I want to be with my family, somewhere where the ground doesn’t shake, away from the “problems” here. On the other hand, I wish that I could do something to relieve others’ suffering. When I see the TV images of the crying mothers or the trapped children, I feel so far removed and yet feel deeply for them.

In spite of the destruction here, I do feel that the situation is many times better than in Myanmar where aid is being refused or stolen. Both of these places need our prayers.

Thursday
On Wednesday, we managed to have some meetings until mid-afternoon. The room swayed a few times as there were more earthquakes. I headed to the airport a little earlier than I usually would knowing that things were a little crazy there as they sorted out flights.

We boarded pretty much on time but had to wait two hours to get a spot in line to take off. I knew we were in for a long wait when they brought out the meal: 2 rolls, a piece of cake, picked vegetables, and peanuts, (pretty standard airline meal here).

We finally took off at 10:30PM, two hours after schedule. We landed at 1:10AM. I grabbed a cab and crawled in bed by 2. (I had it pretty good…my friends going to the capitol on a “7:00″ flight didn’t get to bed until 4AM!)

I talked with three college girls on my flight. All the universities, secondary and elementary schools closed for a week. They were headed home. I didn’t know school was canceled and asked why they had a break. “The earthquake, don’t you know?!” I wasn’t clear which campus they were on, but they indicated that there was damage to buildings there. I wondered who paid their airfare and I wondered about those who couldn’t afford a ticket. Where did they go?

It is nice to be back home and see the family. Life must go on, yet I feel for those whose lives have been permanently interrupted. They can’t get on a plane and leave their sorrows behind. Life without a family member or a home will be a permanent reminder of that day the earth shook.