By Donna:
Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1.
Imagine waking up from a peaceful sleep at 4 oclock in the morning and everything around you is shaking. Your house, your bed, the earth under your building. On Monday, February 6, 2023 in southeast Turkey and neighboring Syria, the people not only experienced an earthquake of Magnitude 7.8 but a second one ten hours later of M7.7. This seismic activity carried on for week with thousands of aftershocks of various degrees. As of March 1st, more than 51,800 deaths were confirmed, more than 45,00 in Turkey and more than 6,700 in Syria. Needless to say, this is a tragedy of immense proportion which has affected more than 20 million people. There are amazing stories of miracles of people surviving under the rubble for days and a baby born under a collapsed building. We give thanks to God that Selen and her family are safe and sound. Selen lives in Adana, Turkey, more than 200 km from the epicenter, yet many buildings were destroyed with large numbers of casualties and injured survivors. After the first quake hit, Selen and her mother, along with several neighbors, were able to leave their building and spend the night in a car outside of the city. They later returned home to assess the damage and were then able to book a flight to Istanbul. Thank God the airport in Adana was still functioning and they were able to travel safely to stay with Selen’s brother. It is going to be a long road to getting back home as damaged buildings will have to be rebuilt and with the amount of destruction incurred it will take time. Please, keep this situation in your prayers.
As you remember, Gabriel and Selen were engaged in December last year.
For now the wedding plans are on hold as there are other priorities to consider at this moment.
Meanwhile, Gloria has moved to Pisa, Italy as she takes part in the Erasmus student exchange program. She will be doing her internships at the hospitals there and be involved in the various activities organized by the student organisation there.
Gabriel and Emanuel were camping in Hong Kong and sent in some amazing images.
Benjamim got some nice drone images in Macau and we are eager to see more.
Riley enjoying the sun in cold weather.
Other than that, all is well as we pray for each other. Love,
