Update on Volcano -- Refugees and helping them

Merapi remains a concern. As many of you may have read, a large eruption on Friday blasted a village 10 km from the summit with a hot ash cloud, killing dozens. The evacuation zone is now extended to 20 km (9 miles).

Although there have been no major eruptions since Friday, as you can see from the photo below, the output from this mountain continues to amaze. President Obama is having a short visit to this country today. I just read he may have to leave early because of concerns the ash clouds might interfere with the airplane.

The volcanologist says he doesn't think the mountain has had it's climax yet. A large city is 25 km (15 miles) from the mountain. Most of the refugees have been seeking shelter there, but it is getting more and more ash and may be in danger if there is a larger eruption.

At church on Sunday, we prayed for God's mercy and help. Indeed, natural events like this remind us how frail we are even with our technology and "great" knowledge. Only God can control this mountain, and we hope that He will. It was heartening to also hear how many of our friends and local churches are helping the victims of the mountain:

• One church friend is involved with a ministry at a refugee camp distributing food and encouragement.
• Another church family has been donating large amount of grass for feeding cattle left on the mountain's slopes. Yes, these people care deeply about their cattle, and this is an especially meaningful service to them.
  
• Another organization is helping with refugee camps
• A friend is collecting towels for refugees
• The local Christian university and seminary have been sending in teams to help with the refugees.
• The Christian university and seminary in the large city south of the mountain have stopped operations and are serving refugees full time, housing almost a thousand on their campus.
  

As the situation continues to evolve, we are prayerfully considering how God would lead us to help also. School is still in session for us, so our first obligation is there. We are pitching in where we can with donations and offerings.

We are also making some careful and appropriate preparations in case disaster could come our direction, which is unlikely: extra food, extra water, extra batteries, a packed bag, stuff like that. Although we are 14 miles from the mountain, we cannot see it, hear it or feel it from our housse. We did have a little ash fall on Saturday, but none since.

Some of you may be wondering why so many people would choose to live on an active volcano? They know it has erupted less than 10 years in the past, and they will likely have to run when it happens again. This island has a population density of 900 people per square kilometer. It's natural that people will spread out when it's so crowded, especially on mountain land that is so fertile for growing food and cattle.

Please keep praying!