Earthquake Aftermath & Humanitarian Efforts
Trip Start
May 07, 2008
1
8
15
Trip End
May 24, 2008
Chengdu,
China
Thursday, May 15, 2008
It is about 4:15 p.m. here on Wednesday and I have been unable to check e-mail today until now.
Yesterday afternoon, all of us sorted through our luggage and donated clothing and other items. We joked that there was a reason we didn't pack as light as recommended by all because God knew there would be a need here for clothing items. I went through the kid's suitcases with them and they were incredibly generous in what they wanted to give away. Cuinn said that she hoped some of her items would make a little girl smile.
Then later in the evening, Chris found out that his team was leaving at 5:00 a.m. this morning. We spent last night packing a backpack with all his needed supplies, tent, sleeping bag, food, water etc. I don't think the tent or sleeping bag will be used at all. We then spent time in prayer with the team.
This morning, before Chris left, I read to him Bonnie's verses of the day which were so appropriate:
'The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:5b--7
We also read Romans 8:28 together:
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Many of you probably don't know that Chris' favorite verse of late is Proverbs 16:9, yet another verse that is so timely at this time in our lives.
"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
Chris left at 4:30 a.m. this morning as one of the first medical teams to get into Beichuan, near the earthquake's epicenter. He called me briefly this morning to let me know that they made it Beichuan, were allowed to go in and will begin work there. They are supposed to work in 36-hour shifts so he should be home tomorow evening but I'm not sure the schedule will be strictly adhered to. I plan to leave on the next shift so that one of us will always be here (even if sleeping) with our 2 young children.
Today has been busy back here in Chengdu with the coordination with another organization in mobilizing supplies and finding places for people to stay from other areas of China who want to base in Chengdu and go help in the disaster areas. Also, yesterday and today, people are gathering requested supplies for distribution in the disaster areas. People yesterday were contributing money to buy big military tents for refugees to use. Our host family's son, who is 18, managed to get 5 of them. He is absolutely incredible, with a serving heart. He is out today at a wholesale medical supply store (yes, they have those here) where he is buying requested pharmaceuticals, sutures, forceps etc. Some people are contributing their time and others money, but the unified response is pretty incredible.
Chris did take our digital camera with him but I don't know if he will have any chance to use it.
Here is a link to an article from today/yesterday: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24609645/. The town where Chris is working at right now is mentioned to the right of the page.
A lot of people have separately e-mailed me wanting to make a contribution. You can send any monetary contribution to IDEAS in Littleton and mark that it is for Chengdu earthquake relief and they will wire the money along to our host family to help purchase more medical supplies, tents and other items requested for the relief process.
I sit here and reflect that God has us exactly where he wanted us to be and exactly at the right time. First, with the timing of the quake because if it had happened a day later we would already have been gone and then with the news coming to us of allowing foreign workers into the disaster areas yesterday afternoon. If that news had been delivered this morning, we already would have been gone as we were planning on flying out early this morning to Xichang.
Continue to keep all the affected people in China in your prayers. There is incredible loss of life as you will read about in the article I referenced above. There also are people we know waiting to hear whether their loved ones are o.k. Also pray for the medical teams that they will have clarity of thought, energy to perform even though tired and for Chris that he will have a translator with him.
Love,
Wendy for the Tuey Family
