Strong Earthquake Devastates Hualien Assembly! Affected Brothers and Sisters Set Aside Grief to Share the Unshakable Kingdom with Disaster Victims at Shelters
[Special Correspondent Yang Yumei, Hualien Joint Interview Report] A sudden and violent earthquake shook the entire island of Taiwan, with Hualien suffering the most severe damage. As of 10:00 am on the 6th, within 74 hours, 606 aftershocks have occurred, averaging eight per hour. Among them, two earthquakes measured between magnitude 6 and 7, and as many as 20 measured between magnitude 5 and 6. The national alert system sounded continuously, leaving the entire island in a state of unease. The Hualien City Assembly, located on Mingli Road in Hualien City, was also severely affected by the earthquake.
Elder Chen Qingming, a brother from the Hualien City Assembly, mentioned in an interview that the ceiling of the meeting hall at No. 3 Mingli Road was squeezed and deformed, the walls were severely cracked, and tiles were shattered on the floor. Thankfully, after an evaluation by the county government’s building safety inspection team, the structure was deemed safe for continued use. However, the adjacent Marshal Building at No. 5 Mingli Road suffered severe damage, with exposed steel bars and deformed structures.
Marshal Building Meeting Hall and Saints’ Homes Severely Damaged, Declared Unsafe
The exterior and interior tiles of the Marshal Building have peeled off severely, and the windows are noticeably squeezed, dislodged, and twisted. The entire second floor of the building housed a 200-ping (approximately 660 square meters) meeting hall. Above the third floor, there were over ten households belonging to saints, with about 20 saints residing there. On April 5th, the Marshal Building was identified by the government as having “immediate danger” and was marked with a red notice as an unsafe building, forcing residents to evacuate. Only three brief 15-20 minute periods were allowed for residents to rush back and salvage their belongings. The homes that these saints had spent their life savings to purchase, along with the 2nd-floor meeting hall that the saints had lovingly donated 28 million NTD to acquire about 20 years ago, will soon be demolished.
Additionally, in the Uranus Building, which suffered the most severe damage in the earthquake and is currently undergoing demolition, there was also a home belonging to Sister Lin Qingyi, a saint who regularly opened her home for small group gatherings. The saints have lost their homes, and God’s house is about to be demolished. Before the demolition of the building, they stood in front of it, slowly raising their hands to take photos of their homes and the second-floor meeting hall with their phones, recording the last images, and bidding farewell with heartache and choked sobs.
In the blink of an eye, they became disaster victims, displaced and homeless. Brother Chen Qingming expressed, “These 20 households, totaling over 40 saints, all deeply love the Lord and are very devout. They moved here just to be closer to the meetings, serve the Lord and the saints, and live the church life.” Among them were Brother Li Laian and his wife, full-time serving co-workers currently undergoing shepherding and perfecting training in the Hualien City Assembly. On April 3rd, they were even trapped in the Marshal Building for a period of time. Regarding his own thrilling rescue experience, Brother Li Laian simply downplayed it in the interview: “Thank the Lord, the Lord has protected us, and we have safely escaped. Everything is fine now.” However, when talking about the condition of the meeting hall, his tone became heavy: “It’s just that the meeting hall is severely damaged and needs the earnest prayers of the brothers and sisters.” It seemed as if the meeting hall was his life, his home.
Brother Chen further stated, “These saints are currently being accommodated in the homes of other saints, tents at the meeting hall, or shelters set up by the government at Zhonghua Elementary School and charitable organizations. The brothers and sisters are loving one another, opening their homes to accommodate these saints. Brother Li Laian and his family are also currently residing in the home of other saints.”
Affected Saints Traumatized and Displaced, Suffering Physically and Mentally
Moreover, around ten saints were injured or crushed by falling objects. They have all been discharged from the hospital after receiving medical treatment. Some saints experienced severe shock, while the rest are generally safe. During an actual interview with saints from the Hualien Assembly, it was discovered that the severely traumatized saints are beginning to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Each of the over 600 aftershocks reminds them of the heart-stopping moment of the main shock, making it impossible for them to sleep despite their exhaustion. Having lost their homes and facing an uncertain future, they are suffering tremendously both physically and mentally.
Brother Chen mentioned that while they have temporary shelter, it is not the same as their own homes. They need the love and prayers of fellow saints, as well as practical care and assistance with their daily needs. The saints currently urgently need clothing, food, daily necessities, and most importantly, new rental housing in Hualien. They hope that brothers and sisters can offer their support and prayers in love. The latest information has been announced on the Hualien City Assembly website under “Church Weekly Bulletin.”
Comforting and Caring for Disaster Victims, Sharing the Unshakable Kingdom and Eternal Life
Speaking of the disaster victims, Brother Chen said with compassion, “Many of them are still in shock, especially those in the shelters, because their homes have vanished in an instant. This is a huge blow to their lives. They are filled with mixed emotions, not knowing where to go, feeling helpless, and even despairing about their future.”
The brothers and sisters of the Hualien Assembly empathize with the plight of the disaster victims and hope that through companionship, they can find true support in life. Since the strong earthquake on April 3rd, about 40 saints have voluntarily teamed up to visit and care for the victims at the shelters. 20 of them are elderly saints from the community, and 20 are young saints. These saints who went to preach the gospel are themselves also victims of the disaster. They have been going there every day without rest. They comfort and care for the victims, greeting them with gentle voices and singing hymns. During the process, they have encountered aftershocks from time to time, but the frequent tremors have not shaken their zeal for the salvation and blessing of the victims’ souls by God.
They sang hymns with a grandmother in a wheelchair, singing: “Jesus loves me, Amen!” The melodious singing broke through the post-disaster silence on the elementary school playground, bringing a long-lost smile to the grandmother’s face. One of the brothers who participated in the gospel preaching, Brother Tian Ashan, is also a victim of the disaster. The young saints’ zeal for preaching the gospel is not inferior either. On the 6th, 20 young saints went to the shelter to sing hymns and provide warmth in the wind and rain, distributing self-prepared relief packages and comforting the victims with their singing. Brother Li Laian and his family also joined in the gospel preaching and visiting the saints. These saints, who have also lost their homes and whose futures are uncertain, are motivated by the love of the Lord and continue to joyfully share His love amidst immense pain and suffering.
The sudden and violent earthquake has shaken away everything for many people. Brother Chen reminds us that only the Kingdom of God is an unshakable kingdom, and only the Lord God is our rock, fortress, and refuge. No magnificent houses, rare furniture, or valuable possessions on earth can compare to the experience and enjoyment of Christ. Although many have lost everything overnight, do not panic, but remember that only the word of the Lord and our experience of Him can lead our lives into eternity.
He also quoted Matthew 11:28 and John 16:33 to comfort the victims: “The Lord Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Recovery Version Bible) The rest here does not refer to death, but to being released from toil and burdens, and enjoying the complete peace and perfect satisfaction of God’s life.” “In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He encouraged those who have not yet believed in the Lord Jesus to seize the opportunity to believe in Him and receive eternal life and the unshakable kingdom.
(Translated from Google Gemini)
强震重创花莲召会！受灾弟兄姊妹放下伤痛 向收容中心灾民传主不能震动的国
【特约记者杨育玫花莲联机采访报导】一场突如其来的天摇地动震动全台，花莲更是灾情惨重。截至6日上午十时，74小时已发生606次余震，平均一个小时有八次余震，规模6到7有2次，5到6则多达20次。国家警报器响个不停，全台片刻不得安宁。位于花莲市明礼路的花莲市召会，也在这次地震中受到重创。
花莲市召会长老陈庆明弟兄受访时表示，明礼路3号的会所天花板挤压变形、墙壁严重龟裂，磁砖碎落一地。经过县政府建物安全鉴定小组的鉴定，感谢主保守，结果安全通过，可以继续使用；但隔壁位于明礼路5号的统帅大楼则损毁惨重，钢筋外露，结构受损变形。
统帅大楼会所和圣徒家受重创成危楼
统帅大楼外观和内部的磁砖都严重剥落、窗户明显受挤压而脱落扭曲。其中位于2楼整层是占地200坪的会所，三楼以上，有十余户为是圣徒的房子，约20户圣徒居住。4月5日，统帅大楼被政府鉴定有「立即性危险」而贴上红单标示为危楼，强制住户迁出，只开放三次短短的15-20分钟让住户回家仓促抢救家当。这几户圣徒花费毕生积蓄购置的家，和约莫20年前圣徒们爱心奉献2800万购置的2楼会所，不日即将被夷为平地。
另外在这次地震中损毁最严重、目前正在进行拆除的天王星大楼中，其中也有一户是圣徒林青衣姊妹的家，平时每周打开家门接待圣徒小排聚会。圣徒们没有家了，神的家也即将被拆毁。拆除大楼前，他们在大楼前驻足凝望，缓缓举起双手拿起手机拍下自己的家和二楼的会所，纪录最后的身影，心痛哽咽地告别。
转眼间，他们成了灾民，流离失所、无家可归。陈庆明弟兄表示：「这20户共计40余人的圣徒，都是非常爱主的，十分敬虔。他们搬来这里，只是为了够就近聚会、服事主和圣徒们，过召会生活。」其中包括目前花莲市召会牧养成全的全时间服事同工李来安弟兄夫妇，4月3日当日更是一度受困在统帅大楼中。对于自己经历惊心动魄的获救过程，李来安弟兄在受访中只是轻描淡写：「感谢主，主保守，已平安脱困，目前一切平安」，但讲到会所的状况时却语重心长：「只是会所损毁严重，需要弟兄姊妹恳切代祷。」彷佛会所才是他的生命、他的家。
陈弟兄进一步表示：「这些圣徒目前被安置在圣徒的家中、会所的帐篷中、或是政府在中华小学设立的收容中心和慈善机构收容中心等。弟兄姊妹彼此相爱，把家门打开接待这些圣徒到自己家中居住，李来安弟兄全家目前也居住在其他圣徒家中。」
受灾圣徒受惊流离失所身心饱受煎熬
此外，约近十位圣徒，遭掉落物击伤或压伤，经送医治疗后目前皆已出院。有些圣徒重度惊吓，其余圣徒大致而言都是平安的。记者实际访问花莲召会圣徒，受到重度惊吓的圣徒们，开始出现创伤症候群的症状，600多次的余震中，每次的余震都让他们想起主震惊心动魄的那一剎那，想休息却片刻无法入眠。失去了自己的家，不知未来何去何从，身心饱受极度煎熬。
陈弟兄表示，虽然暂时有了遮风避雨之处，却总不如自己的家，需要圣徒们彼此相爱代祷，并在实际的生活所需上照顾和帮助。圣徒们目前急切需要衣物、食物、日常用品等，并急需在花莲找到新的租屋处，盼望弟兄姊妹爱中多扶持代祷。最新讯息已公告在花莲市召会的网站「召会周讯」中。
慰问关切灾民 传不能震动的国和永恒生命
说到灾民，陈弟兄不舍地说：「许多的灾民惊魂未定，尤其是收容中心的灾民，因为他们的房子瞬间化为乌有。这对他们的人生来说，是一个极大的打击，他们内心百感交集，不知何去何从，十分无助，甚至对自己的人生感到绝望。」
花莲召会的弟兄姊妹们对灾民遭遇感同身受，盼望经由陪伴，让灾民找到人生真正的依靠，自4月3日强震之后，共有约40位左右的圣徒自发性地一起配搭到收容中心关怀慰问灾民。20位为小区年长圣徒，20位为青少年圣徒。这些前去传福音的圣徒自己也是灾民。至今每天都去，无一日休息。他们慰问关心灾民，柔声向他们问安唱诗。过程中还不时遇到余震，但频繁的余震丝毫震不掉他们对灾民灵魂蒙神祝福拯救的热切。
他们陪着坐着轮椅的一位奶奶唱着诗歌：「耶稣爱我，阿们!」 悠扬的歌声在小学收容中心的操场上划破灾后的死寂，使奶奶脸上露出久违的笑容。其中一位配搭一起传福音的田阿杉弟兄，自己也是受灾户。而青少年圣徒们传福音的热切也不落人后，6日更有20位青少年圣徒，一同到收容中心在风雨中唱诗送暖，发放亲手准备的救难包，并以歌声抚慰灾民。李来安弟兄全家也一起配搭传福音、看望圣徒。这些同样没了房子、同样不知道未来在哪里的圣徒，因主爱激励，在巨大的伤痛苦难中，仍然喜乐地向人述说主爱。
突然来的剧烈地震，震掉了许多人的所有。陈弟兄提醒，惟有神的国是不能震动的国，也惟有耶和华神才是人的盘石和山寨、避难处。地上的任何华美的房屋、珍稀的家具、宝贵的财物都比不上对基督的经历和享受。虽然在一夕之间，许多人失去一切，但不要惊慌，要记住惟有主的话和我们对主的经历可以将我们的生命带到永远。
他并引马太福音十一章28节以及约翰福音十六章33节安慰灾民：「主耶稣说：『凡劳苦担重担的，可以到我这里来，我必使你们得安息。』(恢复本圣经) 这里的安息不是指死亡，而是从劳苦重担中得释放，并享受神生命完全的平安和完满的满足。」「在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。」勉励未信主的人把握机会信主耶稣，得着永远的生命和不能震动的国。
