Return to Christchurch...

March 5, 2011

Today was the day that we re-entered Christchurch, NZ.  Thinking about coming back made me nervous for many reasons.  First off, I was afraid of the destruction.  I had seen it on T.V., but it doesn’t become “real” until you see it in person.  I was afraid to see places that I was just minutes before the quake struck; afraid to think that “hey, that could have been me”.  I was also afraid to feel an aftershock.  After feeling the earthquake, and realizing the devastation it caused, I was afraid to feel another one.  There have been multiple aftershocks since the quake, and I wasn’t sure if I was mentally prepared to go through another one. 

As we pulled into Christchurch I was sleeping in the van.  I was quickly awakened when the van started getting chatty about seeing the aftermath of the quake.  I quickly got up and looked around.  The feeling driving into Christchurch was much different than the feeling we got the first time driving in.  The town was upbeat anymore.  There weren’t people scattered all over, there were no “Sale” signs on windows, no one was laughing or telling jokes; it was an odd silence that swept the town.  The emotions in the van went from excited to empathetic.  We sat in silence as we drove though town, pointing out different buildings that have fallen to the ground.  We were not able to get to the city center, as all the roads were closed, but the destruction we saw was still devastating. 

Houses were lying in piles on the ground, mud covered every street and sidewalk, and residents were gutting their houses.  “Danger” tape was criss-crossed on brick walls, and piles of ruble were scattered all around.  There were signs on different stores, some saying “We are Now Open!” others reading, “Closed from the quake, check website for newest updates”.  It was devastating to me that a town, that was once so lively, had now become so somber. 

As we continued to drive, we noticed the police that lined the streets that had been closed, checking identification of people who would walk through.  It brought me back to the flood of 2007, when my family was not able to get to our house for a few days.  How scared I was, and here were people that may have lost their co-worker, friend, or family member.  At one point, we drove past a house.  On the outside, the house looked just like a normal house, however, in the front lawn was a dumpster.  A young boy (approximately 14) and what seemed to be his mother were clearing out the house.  We assumed that their pipes burst, and now their house had to be gutted out.  The door was open, and we could see inside, all the way through the house.  Everything was gone. 

The entire time we drove through town, my heart was racing.  Afraid of what was around the next corner, afraid that the van would begin to shake and something would happen to us.  It was definitely an intense moment for me, and I am sure it was for others in my group as well.  We couldn’t believe how different everything was. 

Finally, we made it to our campsite which we will call home until approximately 4:!5AM when we leave for the airport.  Here, I feel safer.  There are no tall buildings around, so if there was a large after shock, we should be safe.  My heart still pounds thinking of one though.  Sitting in the van, my heart races as it begins to rock, until I realize it is someone putting their bags back into the trailer.  Some of our group was sitting in a T.V. lounge when they said they felt an after shock.  Luckily for me, I did not feel it.  I don’t want to feel one, but with every move that happens, I am alarmed that it is one.             

Being back in Christchurch makings me thing again about all the people that have lost their lives, lost someone that they love from this disaster; and also about those people who still don’t know where their loved ones are.  There are still many people missing, which means many families and friends worried sick about their loved ones.  I wish there was more that I can do, but I know at this point, all I can do is pray.  So I ask again, that all of you please pray for the people of Christchurch.  They need your prayers. 

Well I better try to get some rest, sleeping in the van tonight is going to be interesting… and getting up early won’t be much fun!  I love you all so much.