Photos by Reuters/Aly Song
China (MNN) ― The death toll from China's massive quake has soared beyond 12,000, and that's expected to go up as more missing people are found in the rubble. The quake jolted Sichuan province and is thought to be the worst in three decades.
Nearly 19,000 people were buried under rubble in one city alone. Rescue efforts were hampered further by heavy rain in areas without power or communications.
The Chinese government is opening the door to outside aid. Russia responded with a plane full of rescuers and supplies.
Meanwhile, Baptist Global Response's Jeff Palmer says they're partnering with the Southern Baptists in an emergency response. A needs assessment is ongoing. "The first thing we're going to do is get water, food and shelter to those who are in need. That in and of itself, people coming from halfway across the world, is a testimony to the people who are there. It's the love of Christ that compels us, and we are commanded to help those who are in need."
Even as Christian relief teams are being assembled, Palmer says, "Prayer is the strategy that we want to mobilize, first and foremost--praying for those who are in suffering, those who've lost family members, those already responding to the effort, [and] also pray for wisdom and knowledge of how to respond."
Pray that the international community will find ways to respond quickly and effectively. Pray, too, that God will raise up Christian relief workers to help meet needs. Click here if you can help.
