Growing up in Sacramento, CA earthquakes were talked about but not felt much. My first memory of being in one was my freshman year of college at UC San Diego. As the earth rocked because of the Whittier earthquake, I simply stayed in bed and slept through it.
The next earthquake I remember was the Bay Area one in 1989. This is quite memorable to me because it took place during the World Series.
In the 1990s, however, earthquakes became more real. I had just begun working full-time at Cal Baptist in June 1992 when the Landers earthquake struck. Destruction took place in an area very familiar to me because I had interned at a church in 29 Palms. In January 1994, I was once again rocked in the early morning by an earthquake that took place in Northridge. Just the night before I had been driving on the freeway that collapsed. I was also given opportunity to serve people with the American Red Cross in the days following that earthquake.
It wasn't until August 1999 that the devastating destruction of life from an earthquake became more of a spiritual hurt for me. I had been living in Istanbul for just a little more than a month. Just long enough to have learned some Turkish phrases, get over major cultural shock, and get to know my neighbours. On August 17, again early in the morning, I was woken by the shaking of my bed from an earthquake. This one, however, made me jump up and seek the shelter of the door frame. I had never felt one this strong before. And it lasted for what seemed forever!
When it stopped I simply went back to bed.
But for thousands and thousands of Turks, they did not go back to bed. Thousands died. Thousands and dare I say, millions, began living a life filled with fear.
It wasn't until I began receiving phone calls and e-mails from friends in the U.S. that I realized how horrific this earthquake had been. CNN was bringing them news that I had yet to receive. It was time to react.
For the next couple days, months and even the next year most of my life centered around meeting the needs of those affected by the earthquake. The epicenter was about an hour east of where I lived and was measured to be 7.6 magnitude on the richter scale. The final estimation of loss of life was close to 30,000 people.
30,000 people. Gone. Unprepared.
The good news is that God is God and he saw fit to use this disaster for His Glory. The efforts of earthquake relief brought about the sharing of the gospel to those who had yet to hear.
So in light of today's
news I am driven to my knees. I mourn the loss of life. And yet I praise him with the hope that His Glory will once again be shown.
