CNN published a report on Tuesday (5/28/2024) updating the situation in Papua New Guinea, where a devastating landslide occurred on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Aerial and ground images reveal the huge breadth of the landslide, which buried as many as 2,000 persons and at least 150 homes under rubble in Yambali village within Enga Province. The landslide also hit the remote village of Kaokalam, leaving a scar of debris that humanitarian workers described as the size of four football fields.
Juho Valta / Associated Press (“AP”) | via the Los Angeles Times [www.latimes.com]
The CNN report may be read in full HERE.
CNN previously reported HERE on Monday (5/27/2024) that Papua New Guinea has a population of roughly 10 million people. The country’s mountainous terrain and a lack of roads are making it difficult to access the affected area. It’s not clear what caused the landslide, but Alan Collins, Geology Professor, University of Adelaide, said that the landslide occurred in a region of “considerable rainfall.”
My brothers and sisters, the thought of waking at 3:00 AM and being engulfed in a massive landslide, with many homes reported to be under 26 feet of debris (e.g., soil, trees, rocks and structures), is beyond imagination. The horror for those family members who survived and have been digging into heavy soil and moving rocks with their bare hands is unimaginable for most of us.
Let’s pray for God’s compassion for all those who have lost loved ones (see Psalm 147:3 and Matthew 5:4). Let’s pray for those who have perished, that they are in heaven and that those who didn’t know Christ as Savior, would have had time to pray for salvation (see 1 Timothy 2:4-6 and 2 Peter 3:9). Let’s pray for the favor of God on all of the first responders and others, that miracles of life would be pulled from the debris – even now. And, let’s thank God that even in these tragic and sad circumstances, the bible makes it clear that God is more than able to turn tragedy and evil for our good, and His glory (see Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28). Lord, have mercy!
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
Psalm 147:3 (NKJV)
“He [the LORD] heals the brokenhearted [a]nd binds up their wounds.”
Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)
“Blessed are those who mourn, [f]or they shall be comforted.”
1 Timothy 2:4-6 (NKJV)
God Desires All To Be Saved
“[God our Savior] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all…”.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
“The Lord is not slack [slow, tardy] concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering [patient] toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance [emphasis mine].”
Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)
What the Evil One Meant for Our Harm, God Turns for Our Good
“But as for you [Joseph’s brothers], you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”