To all my redbubble friends – many of you would know about the devastating bushfires that have wiped out so much of our state of Victoria, Australia. Whole towns are gone, over a hundred people are dead, many more are missing, many are suffering severe burns, 650 homes are lost, wildlife, cattle and pets destroyed…and the figure just keep rising. I ask that any of you who believe in the power of prayer and blessings, please send some our way as so many people are suffering. The trauma and pain in our communities is just unbelievable.
We are sheltering a friend who has lost everything except her car and a couple of bags of things. The wildfire converged on her road in St Andrews from four different fronts. Other friends in her road only survived by jumping in a shallow creek and covering themselves with wet woollen blankets.
Thank you everyone for reading this and for your prayers and support.
catherine walker
A real shocker..and that’s a terrible thing for your friend..
I am feeling so sad for all the loss..and of course we’ll pray for a quick recovery..though some people have lost so much ..it will take years ..if ever.. to recover from it fully.
I can’t even imagine how horrible it would have been..it was bad enough with that 46 degree day and those dry hot gusty winds/…so to have been in a fire amongst all of that ..well it’s a nightmare.
I’m so sorry for everyone affected.
Pam Wilkie:
Thank you Catherine for your words and prayers. Yes, it will take a very long time for people to recover. Yet we have a wonderful community of people who are offering all they can, in the ways they can, to help.
Elaine van Dyk
Hemalata, this is such a heartfelt journal, and believe me also a very heartfelt response. My heart goes out to all those affected by the fires. The loss of lives both human and other is too awful for words. I’m sure there are no words that can describe the horror of enduring such a terrible death, or of surviving and witnessing such a nightmare event. For those Kinglake residents who had no more than a few minutes warning of the approaching fires it would have been absolutely terrifying.
All the bushfire victims who survived still have so much trauma to deal with, and will live with that trauma forever. I pray that these people get all the counselling and assistance they need to cope and help them through the months and years ahead.
Pam Wilkie:
Elaine, your words and feelings are so heartfelt – thank you. Yes, it is an ongoing trauma for everyone involved. Your prayers will indeed help.
Estelle O'Brien
Yes we are praying at our house. I have had such a heavy burden to pray for you all today…I have a cousin who survived the Mt Macedon fires(though lost her house) and has been evacuated again…our thoughts and prayers are with you all down there. There are no words really, to express how horrible it must be…devastating. I hope the love and care of others in the community around Australia has some impact on the shock and disbelief and grief so many are feeling this morning. At times like this we can only rally together to give each other hope. I dont know what else to say, except we are thinking of you all, praying and send our love. xx
Pam Wilkie:
Thank you Estelle for your loving thought and words. It really helps to know others are sending their support and prayers – it truly strengthens our country’s community.
Enivea
I’ve added a link in my journal to this entry Hemalata, and adding my prayers.
Pam Wilkie:
Thank you Enivea for your prayers.
barnsis
Our prayers and thought are with all in this so horrible.
Pam Wilkie:
Thank you barnsis for your kind concerns.
MarianaEwa
My heart and prayers are with you all down there. Its so hard to understand how big these fires really are but I hope and pray for you all.
Here in Sweden we could follow it on SkyNews, CNN and BBC and I do that to.
Pam Wilkie:
The area is hundreds of thousands of hectares in size that covers forest, grasslands, towns and hamlets. There are still several large fires burning. I can see a lot of smoke from where I live but so far we are safe. Thank you for your prayers.
Susan Bergstrom
This is so shocking and you have my prayers, thoughts and hope for your safety…This diaster is all over the news here and the captures are most heartbreaking and devistating…Please stay safe…
Pam Wilkie:
Thanks you Susan – your words and thoughts are really appreciated.