Please pray for the people of China after Sunday's earthquake

Eric and I were greatly disturbed to hear the news about the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province China. We are terribly saddened for the tremendous loss of life and the many injured and missing. We also wonder how this disaster has affected the children living in orphanages, as well as the children who have just now become orphans. Oh, what sadness! Our heart and prayers go out to all the hurting.

There is an active Church of believers in China, however (Praise God!), who have now been given the opportunity to love, assist, and minister to those in need. As these Christians are "underground" due to the Communist regime, please pray that God gives them strength, courage and wisdom as they seek to put Christ's love into action.

Also, some of you may be interested in the fate of the orphanages in the areas of destruction. I'll share what little I know. Jenny Bowen, Executive Director of Half the Sky Foundation, posted the information below at their website. (This organization sponsors orphanages across China, including Noelle's orphanage in Hefei, Anhui.) Keep checking back at their site for continued updates. (http://www.halfthesky.org/)

"The Earthquake in China "
May 12th, 2008
We have received many emails and calls about the terrible earthquake that struck Sichuan and Chongqing yesterday. We have reached the three orphanages where Half the Sky operates programs: Chengdu, Chongqing and Yibin. All is well. At each place, the children were all evacuated until the tremors passed. The buildings suffered no great damage. And no child was injured.
We will reach out to other welfare institutions in the province today. Should we learn of any problems or earthquake-related needs, I’ll post another note.
While Half the Sky exists first and foremost to provide nurturing care and education to orphaned children, we are pleased to be in a position to be the eyes and ears on the ground in China for all of you who have such concern for all aspects of the children’s welfare. We are so grateful to those of you who make our presence in China possible. (Article continued at http://www.halfthesky.org/journal/?p=87 )

"Half the Sky’s Children’s Earthquake Fund"
May 13th, 2008
During the past several hours Half the Sky has been working hard to get more information about the children impacted by the Sichuan and Chongqing earthquake. We know that it is not only children in welfare institutions who are in trouble. We know that hundreds of children have been separated from their families, have lost their parents, are hurt, traumatized and in pain. We know we must help; we have been working to figure how best to do so.
We have just a little bit of news. There have been hundreds of aftershocks, one reported to be as strong as 6.0. Children have again been evacuated from the Chengdu institution. Relief workers have arrived in the epicenter, Wenchuan. (Article continued at http://www.halfthesky.org/journal/?p=88 )

For more information about the earthquake and other links, see also:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_as/china_earthquake