KILLER QUAKE HITS CHINA

The 7.9 killer earthquake that hit China on Monday, May 12, has plunged the nation and the world into a state of shock and unbelief. Hundreds of children, and perhaps thousands, died in the massive earthquake as their schools collapsed on them.  The latest report from the Chinese government states that more than 22,000 have been confirmed dead with the tragic possibility that the number could rise to 50,000.

In a move to alleviate the suffering of her people, China has taken the unprecedented step of appealing to the US and others to send at least 50 heavy earth-moving machines and large cranes to unblock roads and lift huge pieces of cement from buried victims. Unfortunately, the help needed is agonizingly slow in reaching the most desperate situations because of the extensive destruction, but the US and other nations are heroically attempting to do the impossible. 

THE EXTENT OF THE QUAKE RECEIVED MAY 17

• 436,000 properties destroyed

• 4.8 million homeless

• Death toll 22,500 with 14,000 still buried

• 159,000 injured

• 135,000 Chinese troops and medics involved in rescue operations in 58 counties

• More than 4,000 after shocks, some as high as 4.7

 Reports are reaching us of Chinese Christians, both inside and outside China, responding to the urgent needs of their countrymen with the love and compassion of Jesus.  The entire world-wide Christian community is responding to the desperate needs of this nation.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

As we watch the heart-wrenching rescue scenes going on and hear of the plight of the people, you are probably asking yourself as I am, what can I do to help? There are some very practical things for every church and every Christian to do.

PRAY: In spite of the urgent physical needs of the people, we must give ourselves to intense intercessory prayer for God’s help in this hour of distress. Above all we do, prayer is most important. Pray for greater revival in the Chinese Church and for pastors and Christian workers to be filled with the Spirit as they minister in the midst of this awful destruction. Pray for Bibles and literature to be available to help those in distress. Work with your pastor to organize your church for prayer and ministry.

GIVE: One of the best ways of assisting in the name of Jesus at this time is to give generously to a reliable Christian relief organization.  At times like this, unscrupulous people take advantage of our generosity, but the funds are squandered on themselves and little or nothing reaches the needy people. Give through a tested and tried church mission board, and do it quickly.

VOLUNTEER: Doctors, nurses and medical personnel and counselors are desperately needed. Check out the list below of reliable Christian relief organizations and volunteer your services.  This is going to be a long-term project. These organizations will appreciate a few weeks of service at their state-wide facilities or in overseas situations. Churches can provide the funds for travel and supplies for volunteers to go.

SUPPLIES: Everything for survival is needed: water, blankets, food, medicines, etc. These are difficult to ship and that takes time. It probably is better to send money since many of these supplies can be purchased in nearby countries and shipped faster.

SOME RELIABLE RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONNEL ALREADY AT WORK IN CHINA.

• World Relief

• World Vision

• Samaritan’s Purse – on the scene

• The Christian and Missionary Alliance and CAMA Services, the relief arm of the C&MA is already actively working with relief efforts and personnel.

• Campus Crusade for Christ

• Various Baptist mission organizations and any bonifide evangelical mission working in Asia.

• Your Christian business friends living and working in China with legitimate reasons for being there. There are thousands of them there and they are mobilizing fast.

WARNING: Please be careful to whom you send relief money. Know the organization and be sure that your gift goes for the intended purpose. Pleas from many unreliable groups you never heard of are making urgent appeals already!

Churches will need to be rebuilt in the affected areas. Consult your mission board for steps you can take to assist them or contact China Clippings' editor.