Life in Australia flows generally quite calmly, in a moderate prosperity, without any special noise - unless, politicians provide us with details of the hussles that exist between parties and how from time to time they "will fight" to win in the elections at the different levels of state administration or local.
From time to time we hear about the fierce battles and wars - but it's somewhere far away from us, among the less civilized nations with dictatorial governments – but for us democracy reigns.
We follow the various events and disasters in the world, checking how others are coping. Almost in every case Australia immediately provides some kind of assistance for the needy.
We heard of the flood in China or Poland, the burial of miners in Chile, the earthquake in Haiti, etc., etc.. This all happened thousands of miles from Australia.
However the great disasters have now cought up with us in Australia: a great flood in Queensland, Cyclone Yasi and again another flood in Queensland and later in Victoria, fires in Western Australia.
Six months ago, Christchurch - New Zealand, was struck by an earthquake which was rather high in strength, but the damage was not much (about 20%). On the 22nd of February another shock - Christchurch was again struck by an earthquake with less power as the previous one, but the effect was much more dangerous. The buildings were damaged in 90%, up to now officially 100 people have been confirmed dead, buildings are still under ongoing threat of collapsing.
The reports on TV and in newspapers, provide images of terrifying sights and scenes. The 6 story TV building has been significantly damaged all that remains is a tangle of steel, concrete, wooden beams, bricks, car wrecks amongst it all - above it all a cloud of smoke coming from the lower decks.
In today's newspapers (24 February) appeared (in some of the first pages) a photograph of 15 year old boy Kent and his 18 year old sister Lizzy, who sat on a grass lawn for half-day in anticipation and hope that rescuers would extract their mother, a local TV presenter, from the rubble. In the evening, a policeman knelt next to the children and said, "I have terrible news ..." He explained that it was impossible to save their mother ... with a heavy heart I look at the tears of the children who will never see their mother, and never have another opportunity to share a few words with her...
In the building on the 3rd floor were students from Japan, China, South Korea, who went to school to learn English. Japanese student's father, when he saw what was happening said – “my daughter was so happy going to the monthly study - the only thing I can do now is pray”. Two siblings brother and sister aged about 20 years - from South Korea were also killed in this tragedy.
On Friday, February 25 in addition to the Herald Sun, on the front page is a little "santa". He’s only few months old - Gowland Baxter, who did not get a chance at life. This few months old boy, dressed in the Christmas clothing as if he is looking at you wanting to ask - WHY? Baxter was born in just two weeks after the first earthquake in Christchurch in September. Has become the youngest victim confirmed Tuesday, of a deadly earthquake.
One can not help to share a tear when looking at the sorrow of children, parents, friends - and even the rescuers. A spirit of hope grows when watching the help that the rescuers from Australia and other countries provide, and the willgness to help of ordinary people.
Real life situations are often filled with mixed emotions, broken hearts and hopes, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears ...
In these sad pictures I found a picture of a smiling senior couple that were saved from the ruins, and next to them was their son smiling with folded hands as if in prayer, in gratitude for saving his parents from the rubble after 24 hours.
Destruction is not only affected the downtown Christchurch - it all looked like the apocalyptic "end of the world." The nearby glacier, a few minutes after the devastating earthquake, broke off a block measuring 30 million tons and fell into the lake causing a wave height of 3 m.
In these difficult times, in sorrow and pain the whole of Australia joins New Zealand, and I think all the people of the world.
Boguslaw Kot - Tr by Estera Klauza
Adventist Sanitarium Food Company in Christchurch continues to function, and immediately proceeded with dedicated staff to supply the evacuation centers and support centers in various products: their drinking water, Weet-Bix, So Good, Up & Go and bread.
ADRA also in cooperation with governmental units provide immediate, emergency assistance to victims of the earthquake
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