China Shaken Video

Multimedia journalist, Michael Zhao, shares an incredible video presentation he put together about the Wenchuan, China earthquake.

While some of the photos have been splashed across many websites, Michael includes some lesser known footage and information. On the China Digital Times website, Michael is quoted as saying,

"With this video, I hope to bring more attention to the pain and hardship millions of refugees from and around Sichuan have to go through to rebuild their homes, governments, hospitals, and schools. In nine minutes, you can see the horror and destruction that nature imposed on humanity in a rural yet densely-populated corner of southwest China. This was of course not an attempt to tell the whole story but I hope it gives a sense of the heartbreak and devastation of “a nation under attack (by nature).”

As Michael asks, please share this video with your friends.

Some friends have mentioned that it is hard to imagine such a catastrophe when it happened in a land so far away and unknown to them. While that may be true, I ask this question tonight: Are we ready for the "big one" here in the USA?

Watch the video and then tell me. Are we really prepared? I don't think so.

A Wild Ride in China Recounted

American John Bergen lives and teaches in China's Dujiangyan City. An historic city, Dujiangyan was seriously damaged during the May 12 earthquake.

Through email correspondence with blogger, Loretta Waldman, John gives a detailed accounting of what it was like to experience the May 12 earthquake in his 6th floor apartment. Visit the following link on Loretta's blog for the amazing story http://blogs.courant.com/itowns_fv/2008/05/china-chronicles-chapter-2.html

Quake Lakes Threaten Sichuan Valleys

With thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for the Sichuan region, PLA soldiers and geologists are racing against time to alleviate pressure at some of the newly formed quake lakes. To the left is a satellite image (courtesy of AP Photos) that shows the original flow of the river near Beichuan, as well as the status of the area on May 14.

Significant earthquake damage can be seen not only in the river changes, but in the flattening of the hillsides and mountains.

Some villages are already under water, while others are waiting to be evacuated. Please pray for the people of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces, as well as the relief workers who are doing all they can.

Once the tremors subside...

the devastation in China won't go away. The enormity of the disaster has yet to be fully realized.

Earthquake Footage set to Jackie Chan song "Never Say Goodbye"

Action film star, Jackie Chan, sings for earthquake victims

Thoughts and Photo series about China

China Completes 3 Days of Mourning
Originally uploaded by Life in Nanning

The devastating destruction in China caused by the May 12 quake is beyond comprehension. There are no words to even begin to describe the complete annihilation of some very beautiful areas of China.

While Beichuan and Sichuan Province are indeed the hardes hit, two other provinces - Shaanxi and Gansu have also suffered substantial damage in places.

Trying to comprehend a death toll of over 50,000, another 29,000 missing and nearly 300,000 injured it is just so hard to wrap our minds around that type of devastation. Add to that more than 5 million left homeless and the hot, humid and rainy summer season of China upon us, the people of China desperately need our prayers.

An American, living in southern China, captured some beautifully poignant photos as the Chinese people mourn those who have been lost. Can China rebuild? I believe so, yes.

Please take a few moments and visit Michael's images, he's an amazing photographer: http://flickr.com/photos/mtbl/sets/72157605154420743/


Want to help? The following are reputable organizations doing good work in China:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church Disaster Response Giving (a friend of mine will be traveling to Sichuan Province with the ELCA on Sunday to help) archive.elca.org/disaster/article.asp?id=94&mode=3

The Red Cross: www.redcross.org/

Doctors Without Borders: www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/

The Amity Foundation (I can personally vouch for this organization, having traveled with Dr. Hong in Hunan to assess conditions at Hunan's orphanages) http://www.amityfoundation.org/wordpress/?page_id=55

Shaken Foundations

Lately it seems that the world has been rocked with more chaos than usual. From terrorist bombings today in India and wild fires in Florida to the catastrophic earthquake in China, tornadoes here in the USA, and the devastating cyclone in Myanmar it is difficult not to ask "what's next?"

On one hand, I am so thankful that friends and family are safe in China while on the other my heart breaks for those who have had their lives completely devastated.

I rejoice for the amazing daughter that I have (who celebrated her 14th birthday yesterday) while, at the same time, I grieve for friends who recently lost their child and my aunt who lost her husband of more than 50 years.

I thank God every day for the blessings in my life yet struggle with the rising costs of fuel of food to keep my family afloat.

I know in my heart that we if we just trust, our needs will be met by our Lord and Savior, but I still struggle on a daily basis with letting go.

We are all part of a greater plan, my prayer is that God pull the curtains from my eyes to see that greater plan.

The people of the world need our prayers. Tonight, I especially ask that you remember the people of China and Myanmar.