Today, we started our work at 8.30 AM. We loaded up our remaining stuffs into two military trucks, and one small pick up truck. We split into two areas, one truck and pick up went to Muntilan (70 miles from Solo or 20 miles from Merapi), the worst effected area and the other truck went to Boyolali (20 miles from Solo or 20 miles from Merapi).The truck left the chapel at 12 PM. I went to Boyolali, and the missionary couples went to Muntilan. In Boyolali we unloaded our stuffs at Military barrack that has public kitchen to provide fresh meal to IDP at nearly camps. I then visited two large camps, each of them has over 2,000 IDP. I found the same problem, which is minimal sanitation and shorted of food. All schools in the city are closed and converted to refugee camps. As of today, Boyolali regency has over 33,000 IDP. I believe Muntilan area has even more. Cold lava, debris and ash continue to flow out from Merapi crater. Elder Meredith called me from Muntilan and told me that the city is like an abandoned city. Vegetation are all dead, many traditional houses collapsed due to the heavy ash on the roof. It took over 4 hours to travel from Solo to Muntilan, which is only 70 miles. The Muntilan relief team returned back to Solo at 10.30 PM, and ended the Saturday relief efforts.
We plan to meet on Sunday at 2 PM to review our 2nd phase relief efforts and discuss what we should do next in respond to the Boyolali government's request for help from the Church for many thousands displaced people. We received news this evening that all incoming international flights were canceled by the airline operators afraid of the volcanic ashes,
We are very grateful to the couple and young missionaries, and volunteers who have done their noble service to help the needy. We thank all of you who pray and support us unceasingly!
Terima kasih,
Subandriyo
Phase 2 Article Here
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