Ashes, Ashes -- Living in the ring of fire

Our backyard passionfruit vine covered in volcanic ash

Keeping our lungs safe from chemical irritation....Joshua, just don't breathe too deeply since you won't keep your mask on!

     It's been a month now since Mount Kelud "coughed," but although I am behind in my blogging, I think it's still worth a show-and-tell.  You may remember that 3 1/2 years ago another of our local volcanos, Mt Merapi, erupted for days on end.  It was only 14 miles away from us, but the ash clouds were blowing in the opposite direction from our town and we were barely affected.  

     In this case, Mt. Kelud is about 150 miles away and only erupted for one part of one day.  The winds were blowing our direction this time and our whole region basically shut down for 2 days! The strength of the created natural world never ceases to amaze me.  Despite all of our technology and intellect, a natural disaster can take lives and cause everything to come to a stand still in no time at all.  Fortunately, this volcanic eruption resulted in relatively little loss of life.... less than 20 fatalities, from such things as an ash-laden roof collapsing or chronic lung disorders being exacerbated.  (By contrast, the eruption in 2009 killed about 200 people who suffered severe burns).  200,000 people were temporarily evacuated from the slopes of the volcano, but they were soon able to return to their homes.  

Mount Kelud coughs

     We went to bed as normal and got up as normal too, eating breakfast and getting dressed.  I woke up and thought I smelled cigarette smoke, but people often smoke on the corner outside our house so I dismissed it.  We only knew something had happened when we got a text message that school was cancelled due to ash fall!  We looked out the window and sure enough, it was a white world!

No swinging today ....or for the next several days as we waited for a cleansing rainfall....

The ash is not really dangerous for a normal healthy person....it's just uncomfortable.  It contains sulfuric chemicals so it will stings the eyes, nose, throat, lungs.  It will activate allergies and asthma for people are susceptible.  You really ought to stay in the house.  That is what we did for the most part.  We wore a mask if we had to go out....fortunately I had a supply left over from the last eruption!  Basically we just didn't go out at all for 48 hours.  Although it was the peak of the rainy season, this ash fall occurred  just as we had about 3 days with no rain!  I really didn't want the boys outside until some of the ash was cleared away.

Here we have Ash Days instead of Snow Days.... but the color is the same.  The smell is different....Ash Days smell kind of like cigarette smoke or spent matches.

Ben's last calculus class in our living room....

We still had our guest, Ben, on the day of the ash fall.  School was cancelled.   The students thought what he had to share was more important than a day off, so we had an impromptu calculus class at our house.

Bed mattress being used as a trampoline and couch totally dismantled....this is what happens when little boys don't get to play outside for 48 hours! 

The boys and I stayed inside for 2 days and 2 nights solid.  Fortunately we had enough food and water that we could do it without difficulty.  What was difficult was keeping the boys happy and active while cooped up!  I felt a bit sorry for myself, but then I remembered mom friends living in rainy, cold Oregon where long stretches indoors are the routine!

For a break from the house, we had dinner at this local restaurant that has a sealed-off, air-conditioned room.  

From dust we came and to dust we shall return....

It was a gritty, dirty world inside and out.  Our homes in the tropics have windows that do not close completely.  Although the air quality was better inside, there was still a LOT of ash inside the house.  The pile of dust in this picture was from our kitchen.  I swept a similar pile from the same area at least 4 times in the same day!

The mountain coughed on Thursday night.  I think the first big rain came on Monday, with additional cleansing rains over the next several days.  That's life in the tropics, where we live in the Ring of Fire!

Update on Volcano: Merapi Stars and Human Trafficking

I wanted to do a special post about this ornament on our tree -- the Merapi star.

Actually we have 5 of them!

This star = hope and employment for victims of the Merapi volcano

Many of the refugees from Mount Merapi returned to their villages a few weeks ago and are slowly rebuilding their lives, but this is not the case for all. Some villages are completely destroyed and the land will be uninhabitable for at least 3-5 years. Those villagers are still living in uncomfortable refugee camps. Others have returned to their villages to find their fields covered with ash and volcanic rock, their homes severely compromised, and water systems destroyed.

It's impossible to build houses or grow food on this land.

The people in the camps are vulnerable, without employment and becoming more desperate. Human traffickers are targeting them already, offering employment either locally or abroad. People will sign up, eager for a chance to raise money for themselves or their family, and be transported. Most will end up in forced labor or sexual exploitation. It is also not unusual here for families in desperation to "sell" a child into sexual trafficking. It breaks my heart as a mother to write those words, but it is true. They do not choose because of selfish reasons but for their families to survive. We can not judge because we will never be in this situation to understand the heart of such decision making.

These Merapi stars are one way that God's people here are providing employment and hope for Merapi refugees, enabling funding to rebuild their villages and combat human trafficking. The refugees hand-crafted these intricate star ornaments, made from recycled paper, wire and beads. They were personally paid 2500 rupiah for every star they completed. The stars were then sold for 10,000 rupiah each (about $1.10), with the additional 7500 rupiah returned to the crafter's village for rebuilding projects and continuing the new bead making business.

The first 2000 stars made sold out locally in 3 days -- raising over $2000 for the villages and for the business. Now the crafters have moved on and are learning how to make different kinds of beads from pop cans, banana leaves and other materials. They are exploring designs for jewelry and bags and other things. Hopefully this will just be the beginning of sustainable employment and safety for these people.

If this work of God moves you to want to give to it financially, a special fund is already set up for donations with 100% going toward helping the Merapi victims. Give to OC International, PO Box 36900, Colorado Springs, CO 80936. Merapi Star Account # 440030.

Update on Volcano -- Is Merapi going back to sleep now?

If you haven't noticed much in the news about our volcano here, it's because it seems to be settling down. Thank you Lord, this is what we've been asking for!

The experts have not lifted the evacuation zones yet, but many of the refugee camps are emptying out as people are heading back home to their villages. Over 200,000 people were moved into a safe zone, but I'm not sure how many actually sustained damage to their homes and land? For these people, who suffered loss of loved ones, homes, possessions, cattle, and crops -- the recovery will be long.

There is optimism, however. The farmers, who have lost their crops for THIS season, are expressing excitement over how fertile the land will be in the next season. Volcanic ash is very good for the soil.

The Christian university in the city south of here will be working with Merapi victims in the long term. I know of one worker who is looking for specialists who can help the farmers and villages figure out how to get their irrigation and water systems functional again. This university is also doing trauma counseling, I know. Can you imagine fleeing from a burning cloud of steam, or being burned by one?

And dozens, DOZENS, of burn victims are still suffering in the hospitals. Some of them will die, and many will live on with severely debilitating scars and permanent tissue injuries.

I do hope this is my last volcano update of interest. We hope Merapi goes back to sleep ...but for how long? The last eruption was in 2006 -- a mere 5 years ago.

Thank you for your prayers, and please may they continue!

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!

Update on Volcano Eruption -- This mountain is only getting scarier!

Yes, this is an actual picture from Mount Merapi from Tuesday morning. I felt a little worried when I saw this picture.


On Wednesday afternoon, the mountain had it's biggest blast yet. Fortunately, I have not heard of any human casualties from yesterday eruption. The evacuation zone was widened from a 6 km radius to a 9 km radius, which means that almost 70,000 people are now out of their homes for safety's sake. (When we realize that our home town of Walla Walla had a population of less than 50,000 this number becomes real for us.) The main volcanologist is now saying that Merapi will likely continue to erupt for weeks.

A few days ago, we looked on the map to learn that Mount Merapi is located less than 20 miles from us, as the crow flies (although it takes MUCH longer to drive there in a car.) It's so strange that we can't see it, feel it, or hear it. We are getting a small amount of ash from time to time, but that is it. It's hard to comprehend that this amazing power source is wreaking havoc in our local area. I wonder if we should make some contingency plans for our own family? We are keeping a close eye on the news and so far no one has suggested that our area need to be concerned.

But we ARE concerned for those people who are suffering in the refugee camps. God's people around us are responding: the local Christian university in our town sent at least one aid team to the volcano area yesterday, our school is collecting items and money to make baby packets for the little ones, clothes are also being collected.



Please continue in prayer for the almost 80,000 people who had fled from their homes. God will lead you how to pray. He is the only power who can control this powerful mountain. I am glad He is in control.

Update on Volcano Eruption -- It Ain't Over Yet!

The lava on Mount Merapi is not flowing the way it should be, and so the pressure inside the mountain continues to build and be released in explosive bursts of hot air and gas. Sunday afternoon brought at least 5 eruptions over 2 hours. The main volcanologist monitoring the mountain says "We don't know what Merapi wants. Anything could happen."

For the first time, these clouds went high into the air (about 3 km) and blew to the east -- which means that we got a little at our house. No big deal -- Jonathan's diapers, which were drying outside on the line, got dirty with ash and had to be rewashed. Not a big deal, but Merapi refugees are very concerned about their homes and farms. Also the news reported yesterday that some are experiencing a shortage of fresh water. Please continue to pray for these needy people. The evacuation area is being enlarged every day, so more people are moving into the camps.

Update on volcano eruption

The region is now breathing a sign of relief because Mount Merapi has finally produced magma and is creating a new lava dome. Apparently this is a sign that the mountain is again becoming stable and returning to normal. The pictures (from Thursday evening) are amazing, though!

I wonder how long the process will take for the mountain to become dormant again? The ash cloud eruption pictured below was labeled a "cough" and occured Friday morning.



There are no more lives lost reported in the news. Thankfully, people are staying off of the mountain like they should.

Please continue to pray for this country. I know many people are suffering from severe burn wounds in the hospitals here. Burn care anywhere is never easy, and especially painful and debilitating here.

In the western part of the country, hit by the tsunami, rescuers are still searching for survivors. 2 babies were miraculously found alive yesterday. Please continue your prayers.

Update on Volcano Eruption

The above photo is from 2006, the last eruption of Mount Merapi which lasted 7 minutes and killed 2 people. I haven't been able to find any photos of this Monday's actual eruption, perhaps because it happened as night was falling? I'm not sure. The eruption on Monday was a series of 3 eruptions over about 90 minutes, expulsions of hot air and ash. It was considered to be much more powerful than the 2006 event. Volcanologists are expecting more activity from the mountain soon, as no magma or lava has yet been released.

To date, the news estimates that about 30 people died in Monday's eruption.

A spiritual battle is also at play here. Mount Merapi is a spiritual focal point in this region. A spirit or spirits are said to live in the mountain. The mountain's spiritual gatekeeper, Mr. Maridjan (pictured below) died at his home less than 4 km from the top of the volcano on Monday. He was responsible for interceding with the mountain's spirits and for fulling the cermonials (including blood sacrifice). His death is one of the biggest stories in the local news. He chose not to leave the mountain as eruption neared, and was found burned to death with his body bowed in an attitude of prayer. People are concerned about who is successor will be, and who will help protect them from the mountain spirits.


Some of you are wondering about the safety of our family. We've received e-mails from you expressing concern, and our hearts are encouraged! We are fine. This volcano is kind of in our backyard, but Merapi is erupting to the south in the opposite direction from us. In addition, we are protected in large part by another dormant volcano, Mount Merbabu. (In the photo below, Merapi is on the left and Merbabu is on the right.) If Merapi were to erupt in our direction, it is likely that Merbabu would protect us from any lava flows and most of the heat from ash. None of our local friends and neighbors are at all concerned.



While Mount Merapi has claimed 30 lives this week, the tsunami on the west part of this country has killed many more. A small, remote group of islands was severely attacked by the 10 foot waves and over 300 people are confirmed dead with hundreds more missing. Aid ships and planes are arriving now and providing help.

Please pray for this country. Natural disasters abound and the spiritual needs are great.

Things that are different -- Erupting volcano is local news

About 3 hours ago, this local volcano erupted 4 times. It is less than a 3 hour drive from our home. The city we visited last week is now experiencing ash fall and ash rain. So far I have heard of no casualties, but information is still being gathered.

Known as Mount Merapi, this mountain has erupted at least 100 times since history began, so volcanologists say. Yesterday, we started hearing rumors that it was expected to erupt, and we looked on the internet to find the rumors were true! Nobody in our town seemed very excited about it, since it was predicted to erupt in the opposite direction from us, to the south. So we didn't get very excited either. It last erupted a few years ago, so this is nothing new.

The government attempted to evacuate 40,000 people from the immediate area of the volcano, however not all complied. Many stayed behind to take care of their animals and fields.


In other news, there was a tsunami in the western part of the country today, far from us. It was the same fault that caused the tragic tsunami in 2004. So far, 110 people are known dead with many more missing. Rescuers are traveling even now to a group of islands 12 hours out from the mainland, to see how the people fared with the waves. Please pray for those who have lost loved ones, and those who have no hope because of this disaster.