Aussie Fires

My beloved homeland Australia is burning in the deadliest bush fires the country has ever known, and the official fire season has only just begun.  

Australia today is ground zero for the climate catastrophe. It's glorious Great Barrier Reef is dying, rain forests are burning, kelp forests have largely vanished, numerous towns have run out of water, or are about to, and now the vast continent (roughly the same geographical size as North America) is burning on a scale never before seen. The fires have already burned upwards of 14.5 million acres. Some scientists estimate that close to half a billion native animals have been killed and the real possibility exists that some species of animals and plants may have been wiped out completely. At last known count 23 people have died, 1500 homes lost and 2500 buildings destroyed, but with fires reaching to the oceans and cutting off roads and highways, many are unaccounted for. Some regions of the country have recorded air quality measurements 20 times above the hazardous level!

And here I sit with snow as far as the eye can see. I am sure many others share my sense of helplessness as we watch and wait. I am grateful my friends and family are safe, as are all the missionaries serving there, for now.

But as I pondered what if anything I could do, this quote came to mind.

“Sometimes when we see or hear of a need, there is nothing we can do to help. Sometimes the only thing we can do is pray. But never underestimate the power of the prayers of the righteous.” Merilee Boyack

I would add, righteous or not-as-righteous, God hears each of our prayers. So please join with us in praying for a miracle. It is after all the only thing we can do from here. The Pacific Area Presidency announced a National January Fast, and I'd like to invite those who choose to, please remember Australia in your prayers and fasting this weekend especially.

So many of you have reached out telling me how heartbreaking this situation is and how much you too love Australia, from visits and family, we're all connected world-wide. Thank you all, may we each see the miracles God is doing daily in our lives, and may we all keep praying for the others we hold dear in our hearts.