Mission News: I've Seen It For Myself

Northern Pakistan will never be the same. The October 8, 2005 earthquake changed everything. Statistics: 8,000 schools collapsed, 15,000 villages destroyed, 76,000 dead, 3.3 million homeless.

The area all around TEAM's Hospital in the north of Pakistan is exactly where this quake hit. TEAM has created a task force to manage aid to these troubled people. Four different languages are spoken in this region of hundreds of different villages. I drove by car for one hour north of Balakot and then hiked for an additional 1 1/2 hours to reach "Butter Bowl" village where 60 houses collapsed and 60 people died. Sixty tin Quonset hut type structures have been erected to house families for this winter at 8200' altitude, where there is already a foot of snow on that ridge (late October). As I sat with 25 men from Butter Bowl, a colleague shared God's love with the men. For some of them, it was the first time they had ever heard the Gospel. I was able to pray for them in Jesus' Name.

TEAM continues to gear up and consult with various organizations to provide shelter, help for rebuilding homes, schools, and local clinics. In addition, there will be help in restoring flocks and herds to these semi-nomadic peoples. TEAM envisions micro-enterprise projects to generate income. The main dream is a community development and community health project in 400 villages in three different valleys over the next 15 years.

God has opened this door. There is no opposition at this point in time. In places where foreigners were completely unwelcome, NGO staff are moving freely and without fear. TEAM wants to join God in His work of redeeming these people, providing relief today to lead to development and the sharing of the Good News long term.

Reflections From Survivors

"There was no one who could pull anyone out...we heard the screams from underneath the rubble, but there was nothing we could do. The noise was deafening. Traditional houses literally bounced up off the ground and disassembled in mid-air. Only those who were working outdoors had any real chance. It rained hard and was cold for the first three nights, during which there was nothing to eat but fresh ears of corn. Water pipes and village springs had stopped flowing. Children were crying out for a drink and terrified by continual aftershocks. Survivors hastily buried their dead in shallow graves, and then many abandoned their homesteads in search of aid."

Source: Dave Davis