OK, OK, OK… you all are right… i sit at the computer all day, read a few other people’s blogs, but somehow can’t manage to say anything myself. At the very least, i can offer a wrap up on what I experienced in Pakistan.

Winter was just beginning in those highlands when i spent a fascinating week getting to know some of the most hospitable and down-trodden people I’ve ever met. As my team left, a German team replaced up, to continue the effort — they planned on building an additional 150 shelters. We had used up all the supplies by the time we left, so the Germans had nothing to do until a helicopter came with more materials for them. They ended up having to wait 12 days (!!), but were able to complete the project.

Now winter is drawing to a close. All told the agency i workedA Pakistani man works on rebuilding a destroyed section of his home, stone by stone with was able to help build over 6000 shelters throughout the earthquake zone, which contributed to the well-being of over 30,000 individuals. Compared to the 4 Million who were left homeless by the quake, the number seems small. But for those of us involved, I see it as an awesome achievement (especially considering how quickly everything was thrown together, to be sure)!

And now spring is here. Those structures we set up are being converted into more permanent homes. The materials are being reused, or the existing shelters expanded to provide more living space. The agency i worked with is turning its efforts to longer term projects like training teachers (many, many were killed as the quake happened during school hours) and rebuilding roads that are still blocked by landslides. The Pakistani have weathered the worst of the damage, but the road to regaining the lost infrastructure is still long.

It is my ongoing prayer that the international community continues to recognize the responsibility we all have to one another. That those who were in some way touched by the tragic quake in Pakistan continue to support those directly affected. And that ground gained by the side-by-side working of neighbors near and far would not ever again turn back to relating through judgemental stereotypes or convenient reductions.