Monday, February 28, 2011
Christchurch Earthquake
It has been almost a week since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Christchurch, the 3rd largest city in New Zealand (about 350,000 people). I remember first hearing about it on Facebook, and gradually throughout the day the news kept getting worse. Like after September 11, eyes were glued to the TV and internet news sites, and people were attempting to contact those they knew in Christchurch. I heard one guy say there are only two degrees of separation in New Zealand--everyone knows someone who knows someone affected personally by the quake. We heard numerous stories throughout the week from church members: one was across the street from the CTV building that collapsed, one who had just moved there for school and who had walked past the CTV earlier that day, flats destroyed.
Churches around NZ opened their doors for prayer, reflection, and support. The service at Knox included a tribute video, signing of the national anthem, lighting candles, and prayer for those affected. This has really shaken a lot of people, because this kind of quake wasn't "supposed" to happen in Christchurch--it's supposed to happen in Wellington! Not only is there the staggering loss of lives, young and old, but loss of homes and businesses that will never be rebuilt.
At the service yesterday we sang the hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand", which was so applicable to this situation:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Rather than try to describe the scenes, watch this video tribute to the tragedy and heroism of the last week in Christchurch (see most recent post). Be praying!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
This and that
It has been awhile since my last post because I don't have a lot to report. I realized that things are starting to feel quite normal, "un-blog-worthy" if you will! Not a lot happens in New Zealand from Christmas until school starts up again in early February; stores and cafes close, people go on holiday for weeks at a time, church programs go on hold. We didn't take a long holiday this summer because we wanted to wait until our new niece or nephew was born up north. Sampson finally arrived, fashionably late, and he is adorable! We look forward to seeing him (and his parents too) in a few weeks.
We have a full house for awhile! Matt and Ang have two friends here for about 2 weeks. His parents arrive 2 days after they leave, and my mom arrives 2 days after that! We enjoy playing tour guide to our new home, and they are excited to see the people and places we talk about. We plan to take mom up to the Coromandel for a week, as well as day trips here and there.
We did get to watch the Super Bowl here, live on Monday afternoon; the pastor called a "Staff development day" for the staff and their wives at his house! That evening, Kris and I watched it again with another group of people, explaining what's going on. Unfortunately, we didn't get the commercials over here; people wondered why I would be disappointed at missing commercials until I showed them a few on YouTube! My favorite is the VW one with the Darth Vader kid.
This week kicked off the kid's programs again at Knox. Things went very smoothly and there was a lot of excitement! I am helping this year serving coffee at one of the playgroups during the week, as well as being a leader for the jr. high youth group (called Seismic).
I still have not been able to find a job, so I am beginning to wonder if God has something up his sleeve and isn't telling me yet. I have enjoyed having the time to just meet with people in the church for coffee, helping with playgroup, and will be starting a Bible study this week. I'm still working on SendOutCards a few hours a day as well.
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