So last week I was sitting in a meeting in an upstairs room when the floor wobbled. I said to my colleagues "I think that was an earthquake" and they were like "no, you're imagining it". Then as the whole room swayed, windows began to rattle and things fell from the shelves they believed me.
The protocol here is to get outside as quickly as possible, which we did shouting "zalzela" (earthquake). Now I have been in a few earthquakes before, two in the UK and quite a few here, but I have never seen my colleagues run before. However no-one panicked. We all got out and had our roll-call. We then laughed and joked as we tried to work out whether the earth was still moving (it was) or was it our jelly-legs from the adrenaline. Reports say the earthquake lasted 45 seconds, we all agree it felt more like 3 minutes. The ground felt like one of those fun houses where the floor is moving and you have to try and cross it.
After a while everything was still and we were given the all clear to go back inside. Then the electricity was off, the phone lines were jammed with people trying to make sure their families were OK and the internet stopped working.
Reports show massive damage and loss of life, which I am sure is true, but for us life has returned to business as usual. I saw picture on the BBC of an "earthquake damaged house in Kabul" my friends were laughing and commented "how do they know it is earthquake damaged, many of our streets look like that normally!"
Miraculously not one of my colleagues or their families were hurt, and damage to housing was minimal (cracks in plaster etc). I have one colleague who lives much closer to the epicentre and she didn't even feel it! In my house all of the cupboard doors opened and some pictures dislodged and fell off the wall, nothing five minutes walking around the house couldn't sort out.
I am thankful that for all my friends and colleagues this has not been too bad, and has not added another pressure in an already difficult living situation. Join with me in praying for those who have not been so fortunate, and as the winter comes and temperatures drop below zero that those who have lost homes and loved ones will find shelter and support.
