Common Themes in Christchurch

Hey friends,

As most of you know, I have had the absolute privilege of a very lively upbringing & life which has included me living in many towns, cities and countries. The difference between myself and most others is that I don't have that rooted, stable place that a person grows up in which, in a way, identifies them. I have discovered in life that most places I go I seem to think I could call it home, not forever, but for a season. There is one city though, that throughout my life, I have most identified with being 'home', where I have that 'it's nice to be back' feeling. Christchurch is just the special place to me, I may not live here now, or maybe never again but somewhere deep inside I guess it will always have that comfortable feeling of being home.

And again, as most of you know, my 'home' has been hit by several large earthquakes over the last 9 months. This week I have returned to Christchurch for the first time in 4 months, and after a few more, quite impacting quakes, I've noticed not only the landscape changing and declining, but the spirit also. I wanted to share some common images of what I've encountered on most streets today, not when the events have first happened, but what it is still like today as I drive and walk through this once was beautiful, but now battered city.

Cracks are everywhere, this is just one of thousands in the roads which make for a bumpy ride.

Portaloos line the streets, for some people they haven't had a toilet or shower since September. Houses just waiting to be demolished or fixed. I think this one needs more than a hammer!

Shops with their entire faces crumbled away....

This office up top has good air flow!

It's completely unfathomable to me that the streets are still in this state, and I'm standing right there and looking at it in disbelief. The thing that is probably the most hard to deal with is that it seems to be continous. The earth settles for a quiet moment, but then again, it rumbles and brings down something else. For the people of Christchurch it is not a matter of the bigger ones that come, but the ones that are felt every single day, the smaller ones, the unreported, but with every new one brings a new hole or crack and even more discomfort.

It's funny because as I've past demo sites I am struck with the question 'What was even there?', and the 'I can't remembers' are frequent. So as the memories of what this city once looked like begin to fade, my hope is that the rebuilding of it is redemptive and strong. That woven in to it's new fabric and shape, is the true colours of the people of this land and nation. I'm hopeful that once again, Christchurch will be called beautiful, because even in it's mess, I still think it is.

Christchurch definitely not forgotten.

Friends around the world...

I ask you to keep Christchurch on your minds.

The media, for the most part had forgotten about Christchurch - until this afternoon when a series of large aftershocks hit and caused more damage, fear and concern after the major earthquake in February, preceding to the one in September (confusing I know - there's just so many!).

But to my friends and family in Christchurch, know that I have not forgotten, New Zealanders here and around the world have not forgotten and the deepest prayers, love and strength will continue to go out to you each and every day.

I have friends who still, 4 months later, do not have running water, bathrooms and full power facilities. Porta-loos or 'pottys' still hang out on every corner and the neighbourhood share much more than the street they live on. I will be there in two weeks time sharing the neighbourly love also.

Here's a picture to show the scale of what is going on thanks to a friend...

Let's all hope the earth in New Zealand begins to settle.

People

I'm continually amazed at the calibre of people that I have in my life.

My life has always been about people. I love people, love stories, love cultures and love meeting and making connections. It truly blesses me to my core.

I just took another look around in the globe on the inside of my head today and just counted my blessings for the amazing people I have in my life that are just plotted all over our planet, near or far. Each and every person so special to me in such different ways.

Each person taking a vital and active role in my world, to lift me up, encourage me, kick my butt, make me laugh, to love parts of me I thought no one could, to inspire me, to provoke action and thought, to humble me.

I could continue the list forever but just know that I love having you in my life and it wouldn't be the same without you. Yes, you!

Loving lifes adventures right now because they involve you.

So thanks friend, where ever you are.


Let your emails find you with BlackBerry® from Vodafone

In the absence of words...you get pictures.

Wedding Season...Kim & Isaac

Anne-Marie & Richard
Jen & Patrick

The event of getting glasses..
Breakfast smiles..
Buying myself flowers...Friend had an amazing launch of his new fashion line..
Pretty colours in the midst of Autumn..
My University..
My first Valentine (Thank you Benjamins!)...

My brother is a champ...and glad he's still walking.

This weekend in New Zealand was one of the biggest motorsport racing events in the southern hemisphere - the v8 Supercars. My brother was invited to race in a support series and did an amazing job driving with the big boys of the track, coming in fifth position, on his last lap on his second to last turn he was doing great...

Until...

A major crash - his first. But this I am thankful for - his new and improved safety gear, seat and harness. He is sore, bruised and battered as well as extremely torn into pieces, but he walks.

The driver that clipped him after he passed was in the wrong, you can't see it this angle but Stephen gets hit in the rear, spun into a wall, then thrown across the track to hit the other wall where he came to a stop.

Urgh, it's painful, as a sister and as a supporter to see this happen. So much time, effort, energy and resources has been poured into this - what he loves doing, and at the mercy of another silly driver and his decision - it all comes crashing down.

But, again, thankful that he walked out of it - because it could have been a very different picture.

QUAKED - Some guys having some fun with the ripped apart streets.

Some people just know how to turn the lemons into something fun. Love this vid of some guys taking to the ripped apart and wavy streets of Christchurch after mother nature tore them up.

Wild Times.

I know that I promised a blog about someone that needs your support. Yes, I failed that. But I do hope that you have allowed God to move and you have been praying nonetheless. One of these days I will get to writing the story...

Right now needs are just so immense around the world. I can't believe the massive devastation from the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami, to me its incomprehensible. I'm still in shock about New Zealands own disaster, but here the world is facing yet another, straight off Christchurchs' back.

There are so many precious people to me in Japan that are facing nuclear uncertainty, warnings of more earthquakes and subsequently more Tsunami.

I guess this is just a small plea for you to keep pressing on and praying. Life is crazy, and the events over the last couple of weeks really puts life into perspective.

Just a small Christchurch update - I think our local and national government have down a phenomenal job in guiding this city and nation through the tragedy, giving a ton of amazing support. BUT it doesn't mean everythings fine. I still have friends and family that have no home to go back to, and people with no sewage and power. Almost 3 weeks down the track - its a tough ordeal and full on props to the people living like this and getting on with their lives.

On an even more personal note, my Grannys health is not good at all. She suffered a heart attack (not fatal!) when the quake happened, and is now on more solid ground at my parents - but since then has had 2 mild strokes. I would appreciate you sending up a prayer or two for her.

Massive thanks to everyone for the support.

xx

Let your emails find you with BlackBerry® from Vodafone