As most of you probably know by now, we spent the last week or so in ChristChurch (on the south island) helping with earthquake damage. We shoveled wheelbarrows upon wheeelbarrows full of liquefaction in the cold AND wet. I'll be honest, not exactly my idea of fun. But we didn't go there for a vacation. Although shoveling dirt for a week was hard work, the hardest part for me wasn't physical labor. You see, the liquefaction lifts up under houses and in between cement causing houses to lean. It ruins foundations completely. The last day we were there, the Prime Minister made an announcement of which zones of houses were "beyond repair". Some people will be forced to move within 9 months. The govt will buy their homes at market value and then will demolish them. It was so hrd for me because I kept thinking about the people who have raised their families in those homes, or those who have lived there for like 30 years. Or all the jobs represented in the tilted "to be demolished" buildings. Its like the whole city has to start over almost. I found yself wandering around the city asking God why. I still dont understand and I know that I probably never will, but I d know that somehow, God will find glory in it. My theory: ChristChurch was losing sight of its name, plain and simple. Maybe God allowed an earrthquake to draw people like us and others who want to serve to these people (and people everywhere) who NEED JESUS. It just so happens that we get to be the ones to bring it to them, in whatever form that looks like. Anyway, now we're back at wonderful El Rancho doing whatever odd jobs need to be done (mostly painting) and we'll hopefully be working with a kids camp soon! Oh also, this is Mitch, (one of the awesome volunteer staff at el Rancho) and his hilarious stubbies (shorts!) 🙂 
