Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Dear Friends,

Yes, there was an earthquake here yesterday morning and yes, we felt it! We were sleeping in our beds and I woke first to feel the bed shaking and heard our dining room hutch shaking and the dishes inside moving around. Joel was out cold and had I not woken him up, I think he may not have even noticed! J We live about 2 hours away from the town of Yogjakarta where the earthquake did the most damage. We are far enough away that we had no damage here but there is much damage there and lives lost. I’ve heard from others that close to 3000 people have been reported to have died due to the earthquake. NTM does not have anyone stationed down there but there were two families there doing some shopping, I think. They said their hotel ceiling had plaster falling off of it and they had to leave the hotel. They should be here tonight and we’ll see them and get the scoop from them.

There is also a report that the nearby volcano, Mt. Merapi (the photo attached was taken from town. Mt. Merapi is seen in the distance and is recently active and Mt. Merbabu is the dormant one in the forfront) had some activity just before the earthquake but they aren’t sure yet whether the two are connected. In all honesty, you all there at home probably have more info than we have here. Without a TV yet or international news, we are slightly limited in the information arena. I did try to find some things online yesterday right after it happened but I guess it was too soon and the official reports hadn’t been released.

Our mission has asked that we not travel anywhere near the volcano so we won’t be making any trips in that direction. We can see it from town (about 10 minutes ride on the bus from here) so should it go, I think we’d likely go there to watch from a safe distance. Please pray for those who live in “Jogja” – as we call it and also those around Mt. Merapi. Their homes and lives are there and they are very hesitant to leave to get to safety.

Thank you for all the emails and prayers for our safety and our teammates safety. It is so encouraging to us! Please pray that we can learn this language quickly. It is at times like this that people face the true reality that life on earth is temporary and we could be sharing with them the hope we have for this life and the life to follow. Without language though, we can only live it out before them.

We value you and your support via prayer, finances and encouragement.

Your teammates,

Joel and Bethany Potter