I was woken up early this morning by a phone call from my mother; Nepal
had been hit by another major Earthquake, 7.3 on the Richter scale. This
was after the devastating Gorkha Earthquake seventeen days ago that has
claimed over eight-thousand lives and counting, and two weeks of
unrelenting aftershocks.
My sister, Rae Goss, who is in Nepal doing mission work and thankfully safe,
told me on Skype that “It’s gotten to where we don’t even count anything
less than a 5 as a tremor anymore…We don’t worry until the fifth second.”
For context, Nepal has been hit by over one-hundred sixty after-shocks that
are over 4 on the Richter scale; rightfully mini-earthquakes of their own. It’s
not just the death toll and the damage, but the continued tremors that
keep fear alive. Over a million are homeless, and there aren’t enough sound
buildings, tarps, and tents for them all. Unseasonable thunderstorms are
pouring down; a blessing for water and sanitation, but dangerous for those
exposed to the elements.
As CNN quoted Mark Sarrado about this most recent Earthquake, “For the
first seconds, it was complete silence. By the fifth second, everybody
started to scream.”
While this latest tremor was less than five times as powerful as the Ghorka
Earthquake, it has brought with it it’s own share of injuries, lives lost, and
property damage.
My sister Rae, in the midst of this chaos and uncertainty, has written about
the spirit of fear this has caused in the lives of the people of Nepal.
“Dear family and friends,
I am riding a boat today. This boat is made of cement and brick. The sea I
ride is made of rolling earth and fear that crashes over and over in a loud
roar. The wind is dust and it brings with it the smell of too little water and
too much waste. My house boat rides these abnormal waves and creaks
and groans in time with my own whimpering. Yet I am not alone; a solid
foundation holds me in the palm of His hand. But still I cry. I am grateful for
the Holy Spirit for I have faced some times when my fear and anguish was
evident but I could not form words. God knows and the Spirit intercedes.
I spoke before of a spirit of fear. It holds fast. It is strong. Yet, we cling to
our faith in God who has saved us. The worst is past, quakes don’t get
stronger, they taper out. It has been over two weeks and the tremors had
not settled, but as my dresser shakes, I see day by day the tremors die
down. I know in time they will only fade. Despite my fear, there is hope and
comfort in that knowledge.
So, when the size 7 earth quake hit today, around 17 days from the first, I
am crying in my heart. I cry tears of thankfulness that our house has
survived so many quakes, and tears of frustration as I struggle to fathom
why this spirit of fear is allowed so much power. My heart breaks for those
living in their condemned houses because the alternative is facing the
nightly thunderstorms with no shelter. Just last Sunday, we had a funeral
for one of our member’s infant baby son who died in the quake. How much
more fear will there be?
I know man chose a path apart from God, and that separation caused the
earth to be cursed. I know that with a reminder of death, redemption
comes and countless souls can be saved that might not otherwise have
been. But I do not understand the power given to this Spirit of fear that
continues to terrorize. I can not pretend to know God’s plan or purpose,
but I know God is with me through it all.
All I can think to do is change the question. Not why, but ‘How’? How can
we dispel this spirit of fear, and How can I share Gods comfort and peace
and love and compassion with these people. My heart weeps for their fear.
I want to wipe it away but I can not. I am only a small girl quaking in the
presence of this earth quake. I can only Pray. And allow God to use me to
accomplish His purpose. Even if all he asks of me is to pray and wait on him
or to go, in any circumstance I hope to be a part of His greater compassion
and love. I tire of waiting, but what can I do but hold on to Him? To let go
would be to be swallowed in fear. He is my only shelter. Here is a song
that brings tears to my eyes; it seems apt”.
Rae Goss