Wednesday, August 23, 2006

tungurahua


Last Thursday, Aug. 17th early in the morning one of Ecuador's four active volcanoes began erupting, and continued with fury for the next four days. Tungurahua is 5029 meters above sea-level, and deep in the Andean mountain range...about a 6 hour winding bus-ride from us here on the coast. I have stayed in the small town of BaƱos (famous for it's hot springs), which is tucked under this active volcano on a few occasions - including a trip with Sarah last summer, and a holiday with Mom and Dad and Chris this past Christmas. On Christmas day there was dark grey smoke coming from the mouth of Tungurahua. At the time, it was so cool to witness volcanic activity..."live". I must say, I am sure that the 3-4000 Ecuadorian citizens that have been displaced from their homes because of this disaster, would not agree. Six have been killed, others burned in the steam and lava flow, and many left home-less with a complete loss of crops and livestock. My heart broke when I heard about the crises for so many people, and mostly for those who live so humbly off the land. It is beautiful countryside in the mountains. I do confess that I did, and still do have the urge to see something like this in person. However, as my roomate put it, so bluntly...I don't want to have anything to do with "disaster tourism". Please pray for those that are suffering because of loss during this time.



"I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will stengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, men may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the LORD, do all these things...And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me."

3 comments:

Matt, Christine, Elijah, Joseph, Sarah, & Oliver said...

How devastating for those people! Thanks for sharing, Janna. I will certainly pray for the Equadorian people impacted by this. God will provide. What an amazing display of His power!

Anonymous said...

Hey Janna,

We spent the weekend with my parents at their cottage after camp and my dad told me about the eruption. It is very sereal...especially since we were right there a year ago. Those pictures are crazy.....I don't think we have any idea at how great God's power is....bigger than that volcano.
Thanks for the email at camp. I was talking to your mom and got your correct number so I'll give you a call and hopefully get caught up. Camp was amazing....God did some incredible things. Miss you and am praying for you.
sarah

Christiane said...

Those are really awesome pictures of that Jay...I just keep thinking about that little Volcano Ranger Man that we met up on that hike...he told us that it would errupt in the next 5 years...and here we are. I sure hope more people got evacuated from Banos this time than last. Anyway, I'm glad you put pics up. Love ya :)