Morocco Earthquake: Water, Food & Burial Cloth
Morocco Earthquake
Water, Food & Burial Cloth
Thank you for all who have reached out regarding the nealry 7 mag. earthquake that hit Morocco late Friday night. We are safe. We are so grateful for your messages, voice notes and emails - holding us, our team and our local freinds & contacts in your prayers.
We felt it; it was very strong. I was driving home with Brock from the hospital - he earned some stitches while playing on a swing - and the vehicle shook so hard I thought I blew a tire. Noticing all the people run into the streets, I realized it was an earthquake. Ryan and the other kids were at home and felt it greatly. We spent a few hours with our neighbors in a nearby open parking lot and eventually slept in our living room.
There was an after-shock in the Marrakech region Sunday morning - we did not feel it in our city. Again, we are safe. Our team is safe.
The death toll is currently up to over 2,100 for death toll and over 2400 injured, and both are expected to rise. We have reached out to our makers, vendors and friends both locally and in majorly affected areas; the ones we have been able to reach are safe. They have been greatly appreciative that we are continuing to check in with them.
We have local contacts near the epicenter that we have not been able to reach. Phones and power are down in most places. Our city felt the large quake but has had only a few deaths and minimal damage reported, in comparison to the epicenter, located roughly 2 hrs north east of us. It’s a mountainous region that is difficult to get to… Most areas there do not have power nor phone/cell service.
Many villages are blocked by land slides or boulders - help and ambulances have unable to reach them. Ryan and a few other like minded workers in our city drove near and then hiked into 6 villages that were severely hit. They went to help recover bodies and brought basic essentials that locals are asking for. This morning, the group of us purchased loads of bread, water, tuna cans and bananas, jerry cans w fuel and yards of burial cloth.
Hearing about and seeing the damage - only a short distance from our home - is devastating. Families, just like ours, have lost everything: their homes, loved ones, neighbors and friends. Our hearts break with and for them. We are doing what we can to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Our team and the international church (IC) team in Marrakech are working together to gather information and clear details of needs in our areas. Our leadership is working alongside us to create a plan for continued practical and meaningful assistance.
If you would like to give towards these efforts, here is a secure giving link that directly supports our & the IC Marrakech team efforts to provide aid to those affected by the earthquake.
While we are so grateful we are safe, our hearts are broken for this county and the many deeply affected. Thank you for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time!
-Mandie, Ryan & the kids
Join us in praying for:
Gov. leaders as they respond to the crisis
People that have suffered great loss of family and homes
Our team and the IC team as we continue to assess and respond to supply needs and those traumatized
We will respond to all needs (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and His power.