Rise Up Christchurch

Yesterday Joanna and I went to the memorial service in Hagley Park. We went early to find a good seat and listen to the music. We were there about 4 memorable hours.

It did not really feel like a memorial service to me; some bodies are not yet recovered, we are still discovering that we knew, maybe distantly, people who died and in a certain way we are still trying to come right ourselves within our own neighbourhoods before we can look further afield.

In writing that it seems selfish but it just feels to me there is only so much one can grasp and still keep on coping.

We saw videos of the centre of Christchurch, there were familiar street names but the destroyed buildings looked like some distant city where bombs had gone off. I was horrified afresh to think how badly damaged it is within the cordoned off area.

I do understand that we can grieve, then take a new look at the city and rebuild the centre to make it safer and add blended beauty to all the architecture. Jeremy wrote recently of how tasteful some modern architecture is as we start again, and I have realised he is right.

Back to yesterday, we had Bob & John, William of course and even Julia came. Dame Malvina (as known to James :) sang and so did Hayley, also a Maori lady sang How Great Thou Art with all her heart and soul and it was magnificent. We honoured the rescue workers, the Police, the Sallies ~ though I do understand that most of us in Christchurch are Quakers these days whatever our nominated religion ~ and those who died, so we did it right.

Today I don't feel like it was a memorial service though but a kind of celebration that we are all still linked into life, we are bound together in the bundle of life, to enjoy each other whether we know one another or not. As Joanna & I sat amongst the thousands (thanx for the seat Jo!) the lady next door gave us chocolate, we teased another guy and connected with a Granny and her 2 adult Granddaughters who gave chips to some Australian Police nearby, everyone was our friend. There was a feel-good factor that reigned and an assurance that we will get through this.

Someone read from Romans 8:

'None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.

I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.'

Whether it was a memorial or a celebration I recon the sign drifting in the skies above us is true, Christchurch we can rise up again!

Thank you God.

Dear John

Dear John
Just a couple of things I really must mention to you.

But first let me say how smart your new boots look. I guess you have bought them especially for Christchurch, it is rather messy getting around isn't it! I wondered if you are going to give some the same to William when he comes and maybe Bob & Ngaire could do with an upgrade as well. They do look quite smart on TV.

Anyway to the more important matters. Did you notice Julia said, soon after the quake, that you just need to ask her for anything we want over here, you well know they have amazing resources over there ~ not the least being our son & one of our daughters! And all you need to do is ask. What is the holdup? Cant you decide what to ask for? I have such a suggestion you will wonder why you didn't think of it yourself! How about asking for 6 of her best cricket players! Really they will hardly miss them and it would be a marvellous boost for us. Go on do it John, just do it please.

One more thing that concerns me is this: Paul caused great offense when he risked asking you to make sure the next New Zealand Governor General had a pronounceable name. That was actually fair enough because Paul would be required to say it correctly on nation wide TV from time to time. Now, who have you put forward next for this role?

The man who will be called His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Jeremiah Mateparae.
A great and noble man no doubt but sorry John by Paul's standards he just wont cut it.

You have a good week .
Till next time stand strong
Elizabeth

Shaken by 6.3!

I had texted my regular order ahead ‘1 trim latte with 2 sweeteners stirred pls J Liz’
(Liz is shorter than Elizabeth on a text.)

As I grasped the swinging door into the shop it hit! 6.3!

Without any warning, no rumble, no deep underground thump, not even the whisper we are all attuned to like a truck going passed, nothing just jerking, shuddering side to side wrenching of my wrist, arm, shoulder, body.
I am older; I wanted to stay on my feet. I clung to that door glancing up to see whether this comparatively new building would fall on me or shelter me. My decision really mattered!





The building held, Colombo Street Baptist next door collapsed.

(Photo taken through the window at Coffee Culture.)

I realised how unstable I was on that swinging door so prepared to launch myself onto a solid pipe bike stand nearby. As I let go an after shock kicked in. I grabbed again at the door not daring to move away.

I just clung on hardly knowing when it had stopped, the noise was so continuous; until Kylie, the sweet girl who so often serves my coffee, called urgently from inside, “Let us out, Liz!” This time I made it to the bike stand. I glimpsed the inside of the shop; the floor was littered with bottles. Yes, this was a bad one indeed.

People spilled out of the buildings around me. Some were crying, most stood stunned just looking around. There was a group having a big joint hug nearby, I wanted to join in. I texted the family that I was ok and how were they?

When I decided to go to the car and get home it surprised me to find my legs were trembling so much I could not walk properly.

SCARY!!!

PREPARATION?
I have thought since that experience on how did God, in His infinite foreknowledge, prepare me for what would happen that day? If He did prepare me for this shake then I missed it completely!

Looking back on what I had read & written in the time I had spent with Him that morning, I see I was reading through Joshua. I read chapter 21 choosing as my verse for the day verse 45 ‘All the good promises that the Lord had given Israel came true!’

I observed that throughout the history of Israel, even to the peace they seemed to have amongst themselves, at least 3,000,000 people, all promises came true!

I applied it to my life for that day that all the promises of God come true, time to ask for hard things!

How did this prepare me for 6.3?
Well I certainly was filled with trust in His faithfulness as I went into the day. Even if the veranda had fallen on me my trust was in Him. Even as my legs trembled so much I could hardly walk still He is trustworthy.

And living here now with over 5,000 aftershocks since 4^th September?

As someone said, you know you live in Christchurch when you sleep in one suburb, shower in another, collect water from another, go to the toilet where you can and smile at and greet people like you are one big family.

Too Smart!

So I luxuriated in my dream shower



until the biggest shake since 22.2.11 hit



4.8! Yep, it's a big 'un!!!


I know what vulnerable is!!!!

Smiling Face :)

Dont bother looking for an entry from me today.

We have hot water and I am going to shower all day!

:) GREAT!!!

12.51pm 22.2.11 Christchurch NZ

Taken the instant of the quake, dust rising as buildings fell.

If you know the city I was on Colombo St the long one down the centre of the photowhere the dust is not so dense. Chrissy, James & Joanna were in the city.

This Weeks Heros!

Sue, mother of 4 sons, hugged me on Sunday and said she wished she could do more.
Later in another part of the conversation I mentioned our brother and sister in law were in a bad situation in Dallington, no power, no water, no real transport, tough living with health issues and so far away from our place. Since then Sue has done shopping, brought them hot meals, done their washing, given kind friendship, seems like anything they want Sue is their angel. Unsung hero I love you!

Students, thousands of them it seems, shovelling, cleaning, feeding, tidying, willingly, without hope of reward an army of scruffy dirty (from their working) young people. I saw them reporting back to the uni at 4pm yesterday. The novelty of all this is long gone but still they labour. Wish we could reduce every one's student loan by a few thousand! Unsung heroes I salute you!

Sharyn, in Sydney, told her friend Jules that she wished she could help us somehow. Next day Jules arrived with water, fresh, drink-without-boiling water, food, a box full of it, baking done by her aunt in Nelson, enough to share with neighbours and, almost sweetest of all, we cried together as we hugged agreeing these are tough times.
Sharyn, Jules, Auntie heroes every one I hug you close!

Kozue, a Japanese student from years ago loaded her car with fresh water, drove from Queenstown to Christchurch, gave her water away including 48 bottles to us, and drove back to Queenstown that same night. Enough water to have and to give! Kozue, you will never read this, I don't think I even taught you the word 'hero' but in my book that is what you are.
Kozue may God give you a heroes reward!

In our own small corner we are surrounded by fine caring people and it is happening all over Christchurch. God bless them each one!