Dear Christchurch*, city of my birth and home for the first 3 1/2 years of my life - that earthquake "whallop" was so harsh, fast, violent and brutal.
We stay hoping, hoping so very much for further rescues, while we so fearfully know the list of fatalities will grow.
We are enormously grateful for the speed with which they have got here - and for the work of all the overseas specialist Search and Rescue teams that have added to our own. NZ's Urban Search and Rescue squads were soon there- humans and their very special trained dogs. Next up our cousins, the Aussies had their teams in action here, soon followed by those from Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and California,USA. The highly skilled UK team landed in NZ on Thursday afternoon, with more incredible UK backup following .
The help, support and care is so incredible. I cannot come up with the right words to express my own thanks. I'm humbled by the international help that arrived and has been deployed so very swiftly. Help that is so gratefully and appreciatively accepted and received.
(*I may have been born in Christchurch and the Canterbury district, however I am strongly, staunchly and most stubbornly a Wellingtonian - Wellington has been my hometown and chosen place to live since my 4th birthday. 42 years on and I wouldn't change it - I'm so used to walking up and down steep hills that my legs would fail on an alluvial plain!!!
Sending so very much love, hopeful thoughts and special care to you dear birth-city Christchurch, from Wellingtonian Michelle)
Postscript : There is also a rescue team here from China.
And 326 Police Officers from Australia arrived after a request for help from the NZ Police Force Senior Bods. These Aussie Police Officers arrived at Chch airport to receive a spontaneous standing ovation from all the NZers present
Sadly the death toll is now at 145 and is expected to grow. We pray
15 comments:
Thinking of N.Z.
Dear John, Matey, a friend I would so love to have a pint with (remember mine is dry cider),
very much appreciated, xxxx Michelle
(of course Zeb, being a cat, is just snoring away zzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz....)
And from me and The Man and Sam and David and Bryon. We are all holding our breath and praying here as well dear Mickle.
My prayers are with your loved ones, and hoping you don't suffer any sadness from these earthquakes. Much love to you and Zebby.
We spent a wonderful week in ChristChurch in 2001. Our hearts ache for all of NZ.
My prayers and Love to all NZ/ landers.
Can't help but weep over the pictures shown on TV...so sad.
Hello Michelle
Echoing all the above - its hard to watch the tv pictures and yet we want to to see for ourselves the effort put in by the rescue/recovery teams.
Take care
Cathy
Hi Michelle,
the response has been so fast, but watching the tv coverage has been heartbreaking. The positive part of me is still hopeful of further rescues.
My thoughts are with everyone in N.Z. the news does not sound good with so many people still missing. Love to Zebby and yourself. Diane xx
My thoughts are with all in N.Z. I'm so glad to hear about all of the help brought in to rescue those in the earthquake. Prayers being sent their way!
I'm so with you.
This last week has been horrific. We're all involved in volunteer support down here in Dunedin - getting lunches organised and donations ready to help our friends and family up in Christchurch.
Despite this awful time, it has made me realise how proud I am to be a new Kiwi. We have supported one another unbelievably through this, and we WILL pull through.
I too am praying for more lives and comfort and saying much thank yous for all the help that has been quick to respond in compassion and heart.
So glad to know you are OK (sorry my knowledge of NW geography is bad - had to look Wellington up on the map when I heard about the earthquake). Glad that you family are OK. Such a tragedy for Christchurch and district though.
We continue to pray for your country and thank God for your saftey. I pray that God comforts you all and heals the wounds of the injured. Amen.
Been thinking of all in NZ and you in particular my friend. So glad you and your family are ok.
My thoughts and prayers with those suffering and those left behind. So glad the international scene have shown up for you, especially your nearest neighbours who are having a rough time of it too.
Not around on the blog these days, but signed in to send you and Zebby much love.
From the house with the 5 cats, still purring loudly. :) xxx
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