New Zealand Earthquake

[Eileen K.]

Hi Ladies

I think our luck ran out today. 5 months ago a 7.5 earthquake hit Christchurch, and no one was killed It happened at 4.00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Today a 6.5 quake hit at 12:50 p.m. on a Tuesday lunchtime. Todays quake was close to the centre of Christchurch and only 5 Km deep. The death toll is 65 and rising. The people of Christchurch have experienced over 2,000 after shocks in the last five months. They were just begining to get their lives together and now this.

Thanks to the Aussies for sending search teams thay will be here by midnight, mind you rescue missions are flying back and forth across the Tasman this year, as we sent teams to Queensland for the floods.

Please keep the people of Christchurch in yourthoughts. I don't know how much more they can take

Di

[Margo C.]

Di, please keep us posted. Virtual hugs and prayers sent your way.

[Margo C.]

I've been watching the news coverage this morning. So sad! Prayers. Sandi

[Margo C.]

Adding my prayers to our friends in that beautiful country. How awful for you all. Hugs!!
Peggy

[Dawn S.]

I am so sorry to see this happening to your beautiful country! The pictures are almost unbelieveable. Such devistation and so many injuries. I pray the death toll stays low! Many prayers going your way!

Dawn
In Montana, USA

[karen f.]

They are in my prayers.

[Pam D.]

DH and I were in Christchurch on holiday last spring. Seeing pictures of places we have been to and recognise brings the reality of it to home to us hard. We send prayers for all those involved.

[Pam D.]

Thanks ladies for the wishes.

I have woken this morning to the news that there are approximately 200 people still unaccounted for. These people are most probably in the rubble of the buildings you have seen on your TV screens. The Civil Defence people are asking for people to phone the Red Cross if they know that someone is missing. The Prime Minister said last night that this is looking like it could be NZ's darkest day. The poor people in Christchurch, they have been experiencing earthquakes and after shocks since September 4. I said last night that they had experienced 2,000 after shocks since Sept, I got that number wrong, the aftershocks number betweem 4 and 5,000, before yesterday's quake. Groups of Search and Research Teams from the North Island are now in Chch, and the Australian Teams arrive early this morning and will be deployed immediately. The Mayor has declared a State of Emergency.

You will have seen the photos of the Church in the Square where the Spire has collapsed - that is so sad, that church is iconic. They are also concerned that people may still be trapped under the rubble of the Church. I have also heard that a nine month baby has died when a Television fell on him, and the parents couldn't get an ambulance and others stopped to help.

I am sure my Guild will be doing everything we can to help the people of Chch, once we can get our heads around what is happening.

I will keep you informed. Have a nice day.

Di

[Charae H.]

What heartbreaking news. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Kathryn S.]

Di, seeing the photos is heartbreaking. Having been through some major earthquakes myself, I know that that aftershocks are unnerving and almost intolerable. I hope and pray that people can get rescued. God bless those people who are coming in to help, they are truly angels. I'm sending prayers over for you and all in NZ. Kathy

[Kathryn S.]

Our love and prayers are being sent from Canada.

[Kathryn S.]

Di, I thought of you immediately last night when I saw the news. My thoughts and prayers are going out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Judy

[Lynn K.]

Love and prayers for certain. Thank you for adding your voice to the news media, which often over-hypes. Apparently not this time though. It really is as bad as they say.

[Lynn K.]

I didn't turn on the news this morning before work as I was running behind noor last night before bed so I didn't know about this until later in the day. I am glad you are okay, DI. I could not remember if you lived near there or not. But your sister or another relative does, I believe? Or they were vacationing there at the time of the last quake? Are they okay? I hope so. Thoughts and prayers for everyone there - hope the rescuers are still able to get some people out alive yet.

Kathy

[Deborah W.]

Sending my thoughts and prayers to you all in this very difficult situation.