The Quake
YES! We felt it here...bigtime! I was in my room grabbing some last minute things for a multi-day mission when it hit. I thought it was a bomb at first but it kept going. It was rather confusing what with it being my first earthquake experience. I then thought it was some guys upstairs rough-housing on the balcony so I went outside to check it out. I'd like to say it was my self-preservation instinct or something but I just didn't want to miss all the drama. As I don't watch much TV these days, its all I got! Once I got outside and saw everyone yelling for us to get out, only then did I realize it was an earthquake. Not to make light of what has happened, but my first thought was "Cool! My first earthquake!" We didn't find out until just a few minutes ago that apparently 18,000 human beings may have been lost. 7.8 on the Richter? Wow.
We were out in the countryside and didn't see any signs of major damage here in Nangarhar but I understand Pakistan was hit hard. I hope we get an opportunity to help, though I imagine it will be a rather morbid assignment.
We were out in the countryside and didn't see any signs of major damage here in Nangarhar but I understand Pakistan was hit hard. I hope we get an opportunity to help, though I imagine it will be a rather morbid assignment.
6 Comments:
I'm glad to hear that you are o.k.
I've been waiting anxiously to make sure you were safe.The best I could figure out the worst was east of you. So glad to know that you're okay.
I think God is either very, very angry or just trying to &^#(*! with us.
I'm curious what the local reaction is... I heard when Katrina hit, some in the Muslim world were all, "See? that's what you get for being a heathen." So, um, between the tsunami and this earthquake, we have about 250,000 dead Muslims. Do they think God is punishing them? Do they blame it on the Mosad? What's going on in the "Afghan street"?
And I'd like to help, donate to the humanitarian relief efforts. But some of the solicitations -- er, I want to make sure the money gets to hungry families not Islamic militants. Who do you see on the ground actually helping people?
Glad to hear you're okay, and that it was a cool experience.
Everytime I see a report on the quake, the estimated death toll rises. Last one I saw was 42,000. More people are dying, too, in India, Pakistan, Kashmir. Their houses are ruined, and a cold front hit right after the quake. They're being snowed on, burning their old furniture for warmth, scrounging for scraps to eat.
There are lots of complaints about the Indian and Pakistani governments' response.
We continue to keep you and your company in our prayers.
Post a Comment
<< Home