At 8:49 a.m. on November 26, 2005, an earthquake shook
Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, the only strong earthquake
to occur in the area in the last 2,000 years. According
to the China Seismic Network (CSN), the epicenter of the
quake with a magnitude of 5.7 was in between Jiiujiang County
and Ruichang City.
In the two days following the earthquake, there were more
than 300 aftershocks. The earthquake affected six provinces,
killing 13 people and injuring over 8,000. 100,000 victims
had to set up camps and live in the open, and 600,000 people
were transferred from their hometowns to other places.
People living in camps temporarily
The most immediate need following the quake was to comfort
the terrified victims. Even after the government had declared
the situation safe, people dared not return to their homes.
Right after the earthquake, staff from Jiangxi CC/TSPM
visited local believers, offering encouragement and financial
assistance.
Colleagues of Jiangxi CC/TSPM sending donations to the churches
The next day was a Sunday, yet many church buildings were
unsafe to hold worship services. Likewise, many houses in
the area had also been damaged, rendering them uninhabitable.
The local church leadership is now facing the tremendous
task of rebuilding churches and helping brothers and sisters
to return to their normal lives, yet they are confident
to live up to the challenge.
