On Tuesday at 12:19 pm, while most of our family was in the living room, our apartment started rocking. We've experienced aftershocks from the quake in March for months now. But the one on Tuesday lasted longer and gained strength until it ended. The only feeling I can compare it to is like turbulence on an airplane. The obvious difference is that you don't expect the floor beneath you to move when you're in your own house. Some of our cupboards opened and spilled their contents. Thankfully, that was the extent of the physical damage in our apartment. None of us were hurt.
We would soon learn though that we were on the outskirts of a much stronger quake than the one in March. Several towns and villages about an hours drive from us experienced the full brunt of the earthquake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. As of this writing seven people have died and many more are injured.
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| Photo courtesy of Josip Škof |
Though there is damage in Zagreb, it's not nearly as severe as what the capital of Croatia sustained in March. All eyes have instead focused on Petrinja, Glina and Sisak, the larger towns near the epicenter. There has been an incredible response from citizens all over the country, many coming immediately to help search for those trapped under rubble, clean up, lend a helping hand or even build makeship roofs to cover residents who refuse to leave their land.
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Photo courtesy of Josip Škof
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The response has been so strong, in fact, that authorities have told people to stop coming so that emergency aid can arrive unhindered. Humanitarian organizations and churches have gathered and sent whatever food and other necessities. Hotels have offered to house those who are displaced, Hospitals throughout the country have opened space for patients having to be moved from Petrinja. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Italy have all offered to help in any way they can. There has been an overwhelming response by people all around us.
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| Photo courtesy of Josip Škof |
So we would ask you to pray for those who have been affected. Pray for those grieving, and for those who are in need. There are several small Baptist churches in the area who are receiving and distributing aid. Pray that the Lord would shine through their words and efforts.
We'd ask you also to pray specifically for our family. With the ground shaking so frequently, it's constantly on our minds. It's an added layer of stress on top of the pandemic and now being at home constantly throughout the holiday break.
On the other hand, we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for: health throughout the year, all we need and more.
Thank you to all who have checked in with us. We're so thankful that you are thinking of us and praying for us.
Here are some related links if you're interested:
Video of the mayor of Petrinja giving an interview when Tuesday's earthquake struck.
Photos taken by Croatian photographer Josip Škof just hours after the earthquake.
News coverage of the quake from Croatia in English.
Video of mobile homes arriving from Austria.
