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A Nation Grieves

"Tears filled my eyes when I heard the news," said Wang,* a student in southern China. "I just feel so sorry inside about what has happened." Wang's parents live in the area worst-affected by the quake, and it took him many hours to reach them over the overloaded cell phone networks. His family is safe, but most in the area were not so fortunate.

Wang, along with the rest of the nation, is grieving with the many who became orphans and widows as buildings crumbled and landslides covered entire villages. Continuing aftershocks and mudslides have impeded relief work, and countless people have lost everything they own. Across the country, flags flew at half mast and organizers halted the Olympic torch relay during an unprecedented 3-day period of mourning this week.

Over 5 million people were displaced by the quake, and seas of blue government-issued tents mark refugee camps filled with people in despair and shock. Christians in the area are delivering supplies, speaking words of hope, and playing with children who are starting to smile again. Workers are fatigued, but pressing on, knowing that they have only touched the tip of the iceberg.

Tangshan:
Children of the Earthquake


In 1976, the city of Tangshan was rocked by one of the most destructive earthquakes in modern world history. Our monthly focus for prayer and fasting, Tangshan has been on the minds of many after the recent earthquake.

Both Gloria* and Emily* were born several years after the monstrous earthquake of 1976 that shattered the city that they call home. Growing up they heard the same stories over and over from their parents who survived, even though at least one-quarter of a million other people didn't.

Read Their Story ยป

Pray for the Earthquake Victims
Ask that God would continue to protect Christian workers and give them strength, love, compassion and understanding as they help those who so affected.

Pray that doors will open to allow relief resources to reach those who need it most.

Pray that this tragedy will cause many of the 1.2 billion lost Chinese people to reflect on the brevity of life on earth and the need for eternal life.

Following the Torch
May 4, the Olympic torch began the final leg of its worldwide journey by returning to Chinese soil. Its path will touch every province and its shadow will pass over extremes of every kind, including places that have heard the truth and many that are still in darkness. Join us as we journey through some of these places in a series of narrated photo galleries on thew web.

Watch The Feature

Christmas in China
Attention students! Spend your Christmas on the edge of lostness. Experience East Asia and bring hope to those who have never heard by participating in Christmas in China 2008.

  • When: December 19 - January 2
  • Cost: $570 plus airfare
  • Applications deadline: October 15, 2008

For more information, contact: eavolunteer@pobox.com or go to http://easia.imb.org

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