Fear grips people as third quake rocks Turkey

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Turkey earthquake

Turkey earthquakeTURKEY was hit by another powerful 5.2-magnitude earthquake yesterday morning.

This is the nation’s third major quake in a matter of weeks, not including the dozens of tremors and aftershocks the people in the Van area have experienced.

This quake follows another 5.7-magnitude quake last week and a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that killed over 600 people at the end of October. The string of violent disasters littered by tremors and aftershocks has thrown the citizens of eastern Turkey into a frenzy of fear.

International Mission Board reports that most people don’t feel safe. Thousands are living in tents between damaged buildings. Many lost family and friends in the initial quake.

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Survivors sleep in tents in sub-freezing weather without proper clothing. IMB notes these now-homeless people run the risk of developing bronchitis and other illnesses from the cold, as well as from the smoky fires lit inside the tents for warmth.

IMB associates met one woman who had only just fled Afghanistan as a refugee in Turkey when the first quake hit.

Buildings continue to crumble, and relief workers are doing all they can to tend to physical needs. The emotional scars of fear surrounding these disasters need a great deal of tending as well.

A local, evangelical congregation in Van is helping those sleeping in tents around their church. Other churches from across Turkey have also sent volunteers. The Van church is coordinating their efforts, which include food distribution and medical care.

Dozens of people gather at the church daily. Believers feed them and share Christ’s love.

“There aren’t many of us, and we are tired,” a member of the Van church told IMB, “but we are doing all we can. They see the love, and they are able to hear why we do this.”

Keep praying for Turkey. Pray for physical safety and spiritual healing. Turkey is a staunchly-Muslim nation, but as rampant fear spreads, people are looking for peace. Pray that believers would be a comfort to victims of the quake and would represent Christ in ways that make others want to learn more. MNN

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