Earthquake Response

One of the incredible things about working with Firestone is that we have workers in many of the places in the Muslim world where disasters (like tsunamis and earthquakes) are happening, and they are in a position to help immediately. This has happened once again--thankfully, none of our workers have been killed by the recent earthquake in South Asia.

Below are a few of the email reports we have received:

First, from a worker in the Arab Gulf, who writes:
"Pray for the many thousands of Muslims who have been devastated by the recent earthquake in Asia. There are many expatriates in the Gulf including a school friend of Zachary's, who have lost relatives. The newspaper quoted a restaurant worker in town: "I had a mother, father, wife and two kids...I didn't believe it at first. How come Allah can deprive me of all his blessings? But that's what happened to me, I have lost everything and life has suddenly become totally meaningless for me." "

This just in from some personal friends of ours who just arrived on the field a few days ago:
This morning as we were unpacking some of our clothes, we felt a strange sensation. The entire room started rocking gently back and forth! After being puzzled for a few seconds, it dawned on us that this was an earthquake, so we snatched up the baby and ran outside, along with the other guests staying in the house. Apparently, [our city] experiences earthquakes every six months or so, but they have never been devastating to the city, as the epicenter is usually up in the mountain ranges. It was an unusual way to start the morning, to say the least. Later in the day we found out the earthquake we felt was actually a magnitude 7.6 quake centered in Pakistan, nearly 400 miles away. Whole villages have been wiped out in that region as well as several apartment complexes in neighboring cities. Here in [our country] there is only one reported death- a girl who was killed by falling debris. Please pray for those affected by the quake.

From another region:
As you by now have heard all over the news there was a 7.6 earthquake that hit [near] us on the Pakistan occupied side of Kashmir. The quake was so large that when it reached us here...it was about 5.0 earthquake here and was felt all the way down to Delhi. Currently some members of our team have gone to survey the damage and find out any way that we can help. Since we don't know the language it may be difficult to help very much directly. Pray that God would provide us specific opportunities to be a blessing during this time of response.
On the Indian side ...more specifically the Uri sector, there was much devastation. Some friends of ours are from this area...so this may be the place that God will bring us to. Please keep everything in prayer!
And from the center of it all, one of our team leaders writes:
"One friend of mine, working with the national airline said to me an hour after the quake: 'Its good that it happened, because we are bad people and need to repent here'! May it lead to the cross....!
"We as (NGO) can help with Disaster Relief along the KKH, where Kohistan and the Batagram (Gujar/Pushtu/Hazara) area are most hit and whole villages have been wiped out. We can help with your donations for (NGO) to bring relief as well as rebuild villages along the KKH down the Indus, and beyond among the 5 unreached peoples we are working and the other smaller groups in Kohistan..."
"We have the set up, office to work all over Pakistan...but are appealing for funds as well as short term personel to manage disaster Relief efforts under (NGO)."

Please pray and consider giving generously.