In these two works some damages were already recorded, because the quakes, although less intense than at Kumamoto, were strongly perceived. At Beppu, the water tank broke and for some time the community remained without water. Some statues and other items fell down, but fortunately there were no personal injuries.
Little by little, we learnt about the damages suffered in the area of Kumamoto by Sisters’ relatives and Christians in the area of Yufuin, where the epicentre seems to move little by little. For this reason, the area of Oita prefecture is said to be in danger of an imminent strong quake.
The so-called aftershocks continue, but it seems that they do not to diminish, indeed they assume higher force. The House at Oita, which hosts children and young people in difficult situations, as well as the Nursery School and after-school activities experience moments of strong tension and concern for the epicentre. According to experts, the epicentre is shifting eastward.
‘In this situation, first of all we want to pray for the people who died in the earthquake and those who are missing, for the wounded and all the people who lost their home (it seems that about 3,000 houses were destroyed). We pray that people who lost everything feel the nearness of God, and that the situation will soon normalize. In additions, as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, we also want to show our solidarity, taking contact with Caritas and the Churches of the affected area, in order to find ways to be present. We want to pray for Ecuador, which after two days was hit by a strong earthquake that has already made numerous victims. We want to express also to the Sisters over there our solidarity and closeness’, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Japan said.
