Children are missing, families are separated and refugees run for their lives. Twice in my lifetime.
The news of the destruction caused when Mount Nyiragongo erupted on May 22 in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo brought memories rushing back to me. My concern and prayers are for the children and those who are suffering as a result of this current disaster.
The last eruption happened in 2002. Now just 19 years later, it is hard to believe the deadly volcano Mount Nyiragongo erupted again.
If you have read my book “Hope Made Real” you know the horrors of the volcano I experienced.
Here is my recounting of that horror, from pages 21-27 in my book:
As darkness approached, I stood with the others on the balcony of the hotel. I was in an extremely dangerous place and yet fascinated by the spectacle I was witnessing and living firsthand. Explosions shook the earth. Vibrant yellow, red, and orange hues lit up the sky. Great fireballs of white gas exploded. A river of orange and red lava ten feet thick could be seen spewed from Nyiragongo’s mouth. From our viewpoint, we could see fires everywhere hot lava touched. Everything in its flowing path was razed.
We tried to remain rationally calm. Then, as fires caused by the scorching lava drew closer we were told to leave. Now we realized how close we were and how much danger we were in. The hotel was closing. We too were refugees fleeing for our lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with those children and their families. May those who grieve find solace and may separated families be reunited.