Major Earthquake in China

A major earthquake hit China Monday the 12th at 2:28pm local time. The center of the earthquake was in Wenchaun which is in the Sichuan province. This is about 1800km (11oo miles) from Shanghai. The earthquake registered 7.9 on the Richter Scale. This earthquake was 10 times stronger than the one that hit San Francisco and toppled the Bay Bridge in 1989 (6.9). Estimates are that maybe 50,000 people lost there lives with tens of thousands still missing. Kirk was at his office when the earthquake hit and did not feel anything, but Kath and Grammy felt the apartment shake. The earthquake was felt all across China and many buildings in Shanghai evacuated.

There was a moment of silence at 2:28 on Monday the 19th to honor the victims. Many organizations are collecting donations to send to Sichuan. Many countries have sent rescue teams. Our church's offerings this week are being sent directly to Sichuan through the Caritas program. It's difficult to read the papers or watch the news because there are more sad stories than great ones. Although they did find a lady 150 hours after the quake happened. I think that is God showing that miracles do happen.