Email update from Dave Evans in Home Office:

From Stephen Clark, Melbourne East, Australia and Barry Williams Bacchus Marsh, Australia:
 
The wild fires in the State of Victoria in Australia have made news around the world. A number of emails have been received in Australia from UCG people in the USA so the following report will provide an update on the situation.
 
There are now 181 dead and more than 1000 houses destroyed. Emergency services are going through the areas that they could not previously access and the likelihood is that the dead count will continue to rise. Hundreds of thousands of hectares have been burned and two townships have been totally obliterated. We have had some terrible bush fires since European settlement but this one is now being described as the worst. There are a number of fires are still out of control, although with the moderating weather, many that caused massive destruction are now considered contained or controlled. 
 
Temperatures around Melbourne and in other parts of the State topped out at around 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) on the Sabbath. These temperatures have not been experienced in the region since records began to be kept in 1809. Some regions have experienced temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius for more than a week. Most of the state has not had substantial rain for months and is tinder dry. These conditions, combined with high winds, precipitated the horrific and tragic conditions yesterday.
 
We are pleased to be able to report that, at this point, no members have sustained any losses even though a few were in the path of some of the more devastating blazes. Neil and Anna Lawry returned from the Sabbath service and found their property surrounded by fire but it survived. The wall of fire came within 300 meters of their property, but then moved past and down the road. Anna’s sister’s property located across the road was also spared. At least 12 houses within view of the Lawry's house were completely destroyed by the fire.
 
Ian Bishop who, with his wife, had only moved into a new residence to the north east of Melbourne two weeks ago, had to flee his house due to being under ember attack from the fires. However, he has just returned home to find everything intact and safe. Pat Barclay, one of our seniors from the Drouin region, told of a huge black and red smoke cloud that moved over the region where she lives. She said she couldn’t stand to be outside because of the radiant heat coming from the cloud.
 
Tom and Jenny Caelli who live near one of the most affected areas were also spared and sent this message on Saturday night:
 
We just wanted to write and thank you all very much for your prayers and concern for us. As you know, the temperature exceeded the forecast 43 degrees! We both hope and pray that no other brethren are in danger from fires; especially the people over near Kyneton. According to the news the temperature reached 46.4 degrees in Melbourne by mid afternoon. Our trees are looking shocking, due to the cruel heat. The leaves of one of our ash trees turned brown within hours. We had our cat, Sooty, and Pip, our dog, inside all day during Sabbath. We lost our power for some time during the afternoon due to local fire damage.
 
The news reported quite a few houses were burnt south-east of us, and roads were closed in various parts around us. We are very glad to hear, that Mr and Mrs Eddington arrived home safely. We don't know how the brigades will ever extinguish the Flowerdale area fire as it is very rugged, steep, mountainous forest and is tinder dry. We have been quite anxious whilst watching smoke on both sides of our place knowing how fast fires can travel, but we thank our loving Father we didn't have fire here. It is eerie outside with smoke in the air and the cows are uneasy. On the adjacent property the sheep are bleating as they are restless in the smoke. Tonight, whenever the moon emerges from behind the smoke-laden clouds it illuminates the landscape with a beautiful light. We hope that God will extend mercy and give us plentiful rain and cool weather over south-eastern Australia. With Christian love and thanks to all our kind friends for their concern and prayers.
 
Regions further north-east of Melbourne are threatened by out of control fires being pushed north-east by the winds. The small township of Eskdale has been placed on alert and we have three members there - Leon and Barbara Turner and their daughter Linell Kusz. Another CoG member also lives there.
 
Cooler weather and some rain have helped the situation but many major fires are still running. The personal trauma, loss of life and property losses, have been, and will continue to be horrendous. The cost of reconstruction will be a significant burden on individuals and the State.
 
The prayers of the brethren for all affected will be truly appreciated.

2/11/2009

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2/8/2009 email from Ken Murray in Australia:

Further update on the Victoria, Australia, fires ...and how our brethren have been miraculously spared once again! Great thanks to our Great God.

Ken Murray

----- Original Message -----

From: Stephen Clark

To: 'Barry Williams' ; Bruce Dean ; 'Bill Bradford' ; 'Doug Gray' ; 'Matt Sieff' ; Grant and Kim Chick ; 'ian & derrice potter' ; Peter Davidson ; David and Lea Evans ; Tom Burchard ; Elizabeth Burchard ; Ken Murray

Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 7:29 PM

Subject: PRAYER REQUEST UPDATE

Hello again,

I wanted to bring you all up to date with the latest on the horrific bush fire situation in Victoria.  If you have been able to see the news tonight, you would be aware that the death toll has risen to 66 and is expected to climb much higher.  There are unconfirmed reports of it having already reached 127.  Well over 700 homes have now been destroyed. There are a number of fires that are still out of control although with the moderating weather, numerous fires that yesterday caused massive destruction are now considered contained or controlled.  It is now further north of Melbourne and in Victoria’s North East that are threatened by fires being pushed north-east by the winds.

We are pleased to be able to report that, at this point, no members have sustained any losses even though some, as previously reported, were in the path of some of the more devastating blazes.  I have included an update from Paul Vaughan below on the situation experienced by Neil and Anna Lawry.  Tom and Jenny Caelli are also grateful for being spared from the fires thus far.  Pat Barclay, an elderly lady from the Drouin region, told of a huge black and red smoke cloud that moved over the region where she lives.  She said she couldn’t stand to be outside given the temperatures of the radiant heat being experienced.  As you may have heard, Melbourne temperatures yesterday topped out at around 47 degrees with some parts of the state experiencing highs of 48.8 degrees.  Unheard of temperatures.

Your continued prayers for the safety of members as well as the broader community are still needed and appreciated.  This tragedy is reaching a scale that may well exceed the Ash Wednesday fires in the ‘80’s.  Members have expressed their appreciation for their plight being made widely known.  As you will read in the update below, Neil and Anna Lawry feel very blessed that their property was spared.

Thank you for your continued prayers and concern.

Stephen

Update from Paul Vaughan:  Neil and Anna Lawry are thankful to be able to report this morning that they have been spared loss from the fires which devastated their local area yesterday.

The wall of fire came within 300 metres of their property, but then moved past their property and down the road.  Anna’s sister’s property located across the road was also spared.  Neil and Anna are currently without power as a result of the fires destroying power lines in the area, and are making use of a portable refrigeration unit to preserve their food. 

Neil was out with the SES all night putting out spot fires and hose down burning trees.  Upon returning home he commented that at least 12 houses within view of his house were completely destroyed by the fire.

Neil and Anna are extremely thankful for God’s protection, and wish to thank you all for your urgent heartfelt prayers on their behalf.

Update regarding Tom and Jenny Caelli:  Tom and Jenny were also spared. They live a little top the west of Kilmore and the fire was to the east. Below is an edited email Tom and Jenny sent to a number of people in the very early hours of Sunday morning.

 “We just wanted to write and thank you all very much for your prayers and concern for us. As you know, the temperature exceeded the forecast 43 degrees! We both hope and pray that no other brethren are in danger from fires; especially the people over near Kyneton. According to the news the temperature reached 46.4 degrees in Melbourne by mid afternoon. (Hottest ever recorded in Melbourne – Ed.) Our trees are looking shocking, due to the cruel heat. The leaves of one of our ash trees turned brown within hours. We had our cat, Sooty, and Pip, our dog, inside all day during Sabbath. We lost our power for some time during the afternoon; due to local fire damage.

The news reported quite a few houses were burnt in Wandong, south-east of Kilmore, and roads were closed in various parts around Kilmore and Wallan. We are very glad to hear, from Turners, that Mr and Mrs Eddington arrived safely home from Wodonga. According to the news, both fires in our area are still burning out of control: the eastern fire has also burnt out some buildings in King Lake. We don't know how the brigades will ever extinguish the Flowerdale area fire as it is very rugged, steep, mountainous forest and is dry tinder.

We have been quite anxious whilst watching smoke on both sides of our place knowing how fast fires can travel: but we thank our loving Father that we didn't have fire here. It is eerie outside with smoke in the air and the cows are uneasy. On the adjacent property the sheep are bleating as they are restless in the smoke. Tonight, whenever the moon emerges from behind the smoke-laden clouds it illuminates the landscape with a beautiful light.

We hope that God will extend mercy and give us plentiful rain and cool weather over southeastern Australia. With Christian love, and thanks to all our kind friends for their concern and prayers.”