At 7.49 am, 14 April, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Yushu in Qinghai, China. Yushu is a city located 16,000 feet high on mountainous terrain, with 97% of the population of 100,000 consisting Tibetans. The earthquake destroyed about 80% of the homes and buildings and left over 22,00 dead and 13,000 injured.  

We have never experienced the identification and sorrow of a whole community before as during the National Day of Mourning for Yushu victims on 21 April. The whole city of Xining, the provincial capital, stood at a standstill for three minutes as people gathered at their respective schools and offices that day. Tears could be seen falling from faces of Chinese, and foreigners, not only Tibetans. 

Within a few days, songs, banners and posters on Yushu were all over Xining. The community - schools, companies and even the vegetable sellers in the markets responded by organizing and collecting aid. The earthquake stirred the Chinese church also. Many of them, from Sichuan, Beijing, Guangzhou and all around China, sent teams and supplies to Yushu. One Chinese pastor confessed the neglect of the Chinese church in reaching the Tibetans in the past. Many remarked that the ‘animosity’ between the Chinese and the Tibetans seem to be decreasing.  

A sister was among the team of Tibetan believers that went to help in Yushu. Daily she cried, overwhelmed by the sight of the devastation. She did not want to stay on in Yushu but God ministered to her and reminded her of the urgency of ‘saving’ her people for eternity. She stayed on and has now gone in a few times, so eager to go back to Yushu. Tibetan believers from Lhasa and other areas have also come to help. This is a new breakthrough for the emerging Tibetan church to be able to rise up, reaching out to others beyond its own. We have been encouraged by testimonies of Tibetans requesting for prayer and of some that have turned to the Lord. Their hearts seem to have softened after the earthquake. Something is shaking the Chinese Government too. We were surprised to see repeatedly on TV, various images of people clasping their hands in prayer as the ‘secular’ Government exhorted the people to pray for Yushu. 

Presently long term relief efforts are needed to rebuild a new Yushu, including homes, businesses, and schools. We pray that the Lord will open many doors where His people can be part of this new Yushu that includes the spiritual rebuilding. Tibetans are still one of the largest unreached people groups with an estimated 1000 believers out of 7.8 million Tibetans.  

Heb 12: 26-28 reminds us: At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.. 

We may not comprehend the whys and extent of the devastation or even feel the grief of the Tibetans. Yet, in the midst of this devastation, we can trust the Lord to redeem the Tibetans and the land of Yushu. Only He can turn their mourning into joy and bring them into a kingdom that can never be shaken! Will you join the Lord in what He is doing among the Tibetans, to pray, give, or even go to serve on the field?

Written by Asian Outreach Malaysia co-worker in China.