On Monday, May 12, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in Sichuan Province in China. The earthquake shocks reached Beijing (3.8 in magnitude) and Taiwan, 1,000 miles away. Over 18,000 people died; many thousands more are feared dead. Buildings collapsed and the highways are covered by landslides and debris, blocking government relief. On May 13 a chemistry factory near the epicenter exploded, which contaminated the water that supplies Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan Province. Airplanes and paratroops are being used to send food and water to the victims, but many areas are unreached.
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New orphanage building kept all the children safe. |
The epicenter of the earthquake was in a mountain region 70 miles from the
Ark Tibetan Handicapped Orphanage that Christian Aid helped start and has supported. Freddie Sun, Christian Aid’s China director, called the director, Dr. Liu, and learned that the orphanage had some cracks in the walls and only minor damage to the telephones, electricity, and plumbing.
Praise the Lord, God protected all of the disabled orphans; no one was harmed. Christian Aid is also thankful for the many supporters who got these children out of the old dilapidated building last year and into a new, sturdy building. The former building was completely demolished during the quake!
However, water is scarce and food prices are soaring. The orphanage has supplies for one week. About 100 children who were injured and lost parents in the earthquake are expected to fill the facilities, further straining the ability of the orphanage to take care of the children.
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Old orphanage building destroyed by the earthquake. |
Christian Aid also assists several Bible schools that sustained damages. In the northern part of Sichuan Province, a Bible school had serious damage. They have no water, and they had to cancel classes. Less severely affected were the Bible schools in the surrounding areas of Sichuan Province, Gansu, Yunnan, Guizhou and Qinghai provinces and the discipleship centers in Tibet.
All these schools suffered minor damage to their in buildings, facilities and communications. Many students’ and teachers’ homes nearer to the epicenter of the earthquake had greater damage. Highways and roads remain blocked, which makes it difficult to conduct classes. Additionally, officials are fearful that buildings may be unsafe, and have instructed everyone to stay outdoors, day and night.
Pray for the recovery and repair of the Bible school facilities and for an adequate supply of food, water and daily needs of these mission projects.
You may give to one or more of the needs listed below to help with relief work from the China earthquake.
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