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Covenanters Help Rebuild Damaged Houses in Afghanistan
BAGHLIN, AFGHANISTAN (October 31, 2002) - Three Covenanters returned last Friday
from Baghlin after spending nearly three weeks helping rebuild houses
damaged or destroyed by devastating earthquakes earlier this year.
Those involved in the project, which was organized by Covenant World
Relief, include Carleton Peterson of Eagan, a Covenant pastor now engaged
in a ministry of executive coaching throughout the United States; his son,
Matt, who works at Covenant Pines Camp in McGregor; and Peterson's
son-in-law, Chad Stayko, a member of Bethany Covenant Church in Richfield.
Baghlin, located about 180 miles north of Kabul, suffered extensive damage
as the result of earthquakes last March. "A government agency asked if we
(Covenant) could put together a work team to help," said Jim Sundholm,
Covenant World Relief director. "We had pretty good success," he added.
Approximately 10,000 homes are being rebuilt through several
non-governmental organizations in Nahrin, located about five miles from the
earthquake's epicenter. One of the largest housing projects in that area is
being supervised by Shelter for Life, a Christian organization based on
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the project with which the three Covenanters
worked.
Replacement houses are being built from blocks made of clay, which is
readily available in the area. Approximately 1,600 blocks are needed for
each two-room structure, according to Carleton Peterson. The handmade
blocks are baked in the sun to harden them.
"Earthquakes are a regular occurrence in this area," Peterson said, "so the
new structures are built not to be earthquake proof, but to allow ten
seconds for occupants to get out. The most recent earthquakes hit at the
hour of the evening meal - many women and children, inside at the time,
were buried in the rubble. Corner reinforcement and cement in the
foundation give the added protection."
With harsh winter weather approaching, plans call for most of the
replacement housing to be completed no later than November 15.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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