A City in Mourning

Christchurch in mourning

We arrived in Christchurch needing gasoline.  We drove into city centre and while  trying to find a parking spot, we saw the memorial.  Nearly a hundred people stood in front of the botanical garden wall... some sobbing in grief, some placing flowers, and all touched deeply by the tragic shootings of innocent victims.

The array of flowers went on for nearly one hundred yards.  It was difficult not to weep with those who mourned.  Perhaps these photos will help you understand what we saw...

In our brief moments here, we learned that Christchurch is a city in trauma.  Eight years ago a 7.1 earthquake rocked this quaint English village, destroying 30 percent of its buildings.  They lost 185 residents during the earthquake.  The city is still in the process of rebuilding.  Then, in November of 2017, the Kaikoura earthquake cut off a major road into Christchurch.  And now, this horrific, senseless tragedy.  As a shopkeeper said, "Why here?  Why the bastard chose Christchurch is a real bugger."

Hate in all of its ugliness has darkened the lives of every person in this lovely community... and around the world.  We leave Christchurch in its mourning and join it in its sorrow.  All we can do is pray.