Over 40,000 dead from Turkey-Syria earthquakes; Plus massive toxins still an issue in Ohio; Compassion?

Buildings affected by Turkish quakes (Wikipedia)

The quakes that hit Turkey and Syria have been devastating:

February 15, 2023

The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria from last week’s powerful earthquake has now risen above 40,000.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that 35,418 people were killed in the 7.8 magnitude quake that struck near the southeastern city of Kahramanmaras on February 6, making it the deadliest earthquake in Turkish history. …

The quake, which President Erdogan called “the disaster of the century,” destroyed tens of thousands of buildings and rendered an equal number uninhabitable, leaving scores of residents without shelter from bitter winter temperatures. Authorities have arrested several building contractors and charged them with violating Turkey’s building codes. …

Meanwhile, more than 5,500 deaths have been confirmed in neighboring Syria, according to figures compiled by the United Nations humanitarian agency and Syria’s state-run news agency. At least 1,400 people were killed in areas under government control, while another 4,400 are dead in Syria’s rebel-held northwest. https://www.voanews.com/a/death-toll-in-turkey-and-syria-from-february-6-earthquake-rises-above-40-000/6963726.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, were the worst natural disaster in the region in a hundred years.

“We are witnessing the worst natural disaster in the WHO European Region for a century. We are still learning about its magnitude. Its true cost is not known yet,” WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge said at a press conference. 02/14/23 https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-syria-earthquakes-worst-natural-disaster-in-a-century/a-64696911

Now, does this mean that those most affected by the earthquakes were necessarily worse sinners than those less affected?

The biblical answer is no.

Notice the words of Jesus:

45…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4-5)

But Jesus did prophesy wars, earthquakes, famines, and troubles:

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8).

Related to troubles, the situation in Ohio from the train derailment certainly would seem to qualify:

February 15, 2023

Nearly two weeks after a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in rural Ohio, questions still linger about the lasting effects of the incident and the speed at which residents were returned to their homes.

Around 9 p.m. on February 3, a train operated by Norfolk Southern Railway derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, located on the border of Pennsylvania and roughly an hour from Pittsburgh.

Among the chemicals the freight was carrying, five cars contained vinyl chloride, a colorless gas that is linked to various cancers and is used in a variety of plastic products and manufacturing. In the initial days after the derailment, temperatures rose in the cars holding the vinyl chloride and officials at both the railroad company and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, ordered that residents evacuate East Palestine.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Republican Governor Mike DeWine said he learned that the train cars were marked as non-hazardous, and thus officials weren’t notified that the train would be crossing through the state. …

Residents have reported headaches, dizziness, and fevers since returning home on February 8 as they continue to conduct voluntary home air and water tests.

“We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open,” Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist, told WKBN.

The derailment did not result in any immediate human fatalities, but residents are now reporting deaths of pets, chickens, and foxes. Given the spill’s proximity to the Ohio River Basin, which touches 14 states in the region, concerns of surrounding pollution have popped up in middle Tennessee, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio, and West Virginia.

In addition to the vinyl chloride, various other chemicals were spilled, leading to concern for water, soil, and groundwater pollution. https://grist.org/accountability/derailed-train-cars-ohio-not-labeled-toxic-cargo/

This release of toxic chemicals is likely to cause health and other troubles for a long time.

Related to famines, the Continuing Church of God sent funds for fertilizer for those in Malawi a short while ago. Here is a report from the last Letter to the Brethren:

CCOG’s Radson Mulozowa of Malawi sent an email titled ‘Fruits of Fertilizer.’

Greetings Dr Bob

I have sent these pictures for you to see the fruits of the fertilizer bought

What has remained is the coming of rainfall so that the cobs might grow well in

Best regards

Radson

He sent three photos. Here is one:

As you all may recall, we sent funds to Malawi to assist in the purchase of fertilizer so that the brethren could grow more food as fertilizer prices have risen quite a bit in the past year.

Pray for those affected by the earthquakes, famines, and troubles. And that is good.

But should you ever do anything else?

The Bible teaches:

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Proverbs 3:27)

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, (1 Peter 3:8)

While we cannot solve all problems in the world, where feasible we should also provide direct help or help through an organization that will help.

The old WCG published the following:

Lack of Compassion

The self-righteous person lacks compassion — an empathy and feeling for other people. (The word “compassion” comes from the Latin meaning “with feeling.”) He is almost invariably critical of others when they sin and judges them harshly. “Why, I wouldn’t do that,” he tells himself. Thus he can’t understand one who does. He is so “righteous” in his own sight it is difficult for him to make allowances for another’s weaknesses!

He is quick to condemn and point out where he could have done better — but slow to empathize and admit he might have done the same thing under the same circumstances. …

Examine yourself to see if you have compassion for your fellow man especially for your brothers and sisters in Christ. (Just what do you mean – SELF RIGHTEOUS? Good News, January-March 1973)

For a far greater example yet, it is very enlightening to read the life story of the greatest Personality of all times — looking as you read for the word “compassion.”

“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand…” (Mark 1:41).
“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her…” (Luke 7:13).
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them…” (Matt. 9:36).

Genuine of out going concern for others — as Jesus had — will be expressed in hundreds of little ways. Tact, courtesy, consideration — we have many different names for such small attentions. Yet it is often through these acts of thoughtful kindness that we demonstrate to people the depth of our concern, our friendship and our love. (Build the Personality of a King! Tomorrow’s World, February 1972)

So, during this time of sorrows and troubles, do not neglect compassion.

Remember to: