Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Jeff and Kathleen

Well, I have been asked how Jeff, Kathleen, Liam, and Collin are doing since the earthquake in China since they are living in Shanghai. I'm sure you have all heard about the earthquake. It measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, the most severe earthquake in over 25 years. It struck the whole Sichuan area of China-that's big!! Map of China. It hit on May 12th. Just a few details and numbers reported on May 14th:
  • Tens of thousands are still missing.
  • More than 25,000 people are still buried in the rubble.
  • Major phone lines and roads are cut off.
  • Millions of homes have been destroyed leaving residents, of whom are still alive, with severe shortage of water, shelter, food, and fuel.
  • Thousands of people are still trapped under the rubble and rescuers are using their bare hands to search for survivors.
  • Rescue efforts are hampered by rains and road blocks due to fallen boulders and landslides.
  • A middle school in Qingchuan County collapsed and many students have been reported dead while close to 1,000 students are still reported buried.
  • Death toll tops 70,000.
Also, just a few things about China, they have no architectural laws. You can build anything however you want, as tall as you want, and as unstable as you want. There was tons of flooding caused by the earthquake. So not only was there buildings falling, streets crumbling, but there was major flooding. A earthquake is a very scary thing to be in.
Kathleen said that she could see the tall buildings swaying from her apartment. It was very scary. Liam said that when he dies he doesn't want to live with Jesus, he wants to live with his mom. So cute, but sad to think that death crossed the mind of such a young boy. They are doing fine but still recovering from the scare.
Jeff was traveling when it happened. He was on, I believe it was the 17th floor of a like a 68 story building. It started to move and pictures were flying off the walls and everything going all over the place. He ran down the 17 flights of stairs (running during an earthquake is very very difficult and dangerous because you never know where the ground is going to be once your ready to put another foot down, and many people break legs and bones while trying to run during one) and got to a safe place. He is fine as well and made it back home to his family.
All of China is in mourning and many shops and schools are closed. It will take a while for China and it's people to get back on their feet. Keep them in your prayers. Thank you all for your concern!!

5 comments:

Julie M. said...

YIKES! That is so scary. Thanks for the update, and they are for sure in my prayers, and thoughts. I can't even imagine!!

Claire said...

Wow freaky, glad they're ok. What are they doing in China?

Melissa said...

I heard on the news that it's going to take 9 years to recover and rebuild. SO SAD! I'm so glad Jeff, Kathleen and the boys weren't affected!

Mike and Kris said...

Jeff is working there for a large company. I don't know the title for his job but he buys failing businesses and builds them up again so they are making money. They have been there just about a year. And it depends on if you are talking to Jeff or to Kathleen how much longer they will be there. Jeff says forever but Kathleen I'm sure would come home right now if it were all up to her!! They are all taking full advantage of living there though and traveling and seeing a lot!

Deb said...

Kathleen is enjoying China and she really knows her way around - the city is so huge it amazes me that she always knows where she is. They are in a great branch and she is in the Primary presidency. Kathleen and the boys will be in the States the end of June for a few weeks and Jeff will be here mid-July.