Christchurch always seems to get the shakes just as the NZ Baptist is going to print. So, again, we will have to wait until next month’s issue to catch up with what has been happening in Christchurch since the big aftershocks in early June.

A group from our church, Beachlands Baptist, was on its way to Hanmer Springs for the Baptist pastors’conference when the biggest of those aftershocks struck. In fact, it struck just as their plane was about to touch down at Christchurch airport! A very quick landing was followed by a half hour wait on the runway while the airport was evacuated. Those on the plane were told that, had the alert arrived even two minutes earlier, the aircraft would have been re-routed back to Auckland.

But our Beachlands contingent tell me the most memorable aspect of the incident was not landing in the midst of an earthquake but the expression on the faces of those Christchurch residents on the plane who were returning home: one of horror and “oh no, here we go again!”

Those who travel to Christchurch say the expressions of those on the aeroplane are now typical of many, if not most, Christchurch residents. They reflect a mixture of emotions, but one is becoming increasingly obvious: that of sheer exhaustion.

At the time the aftershocks struck I was reading Stephen E. Ambrose’s book Citizen Soldiers, about the American Army’s European experience in World War II from D Day to the German surrender.

Unlike the British Army, which rotated its tired divisions out of the front line to give them a rest, the Americans kept their divisions continually in action, simply replacing the casualties with new recruits on a piecemeal basis.

That meant if you managed to survive not being killed or wounded, you ended up spending month after month living in sheer terror. Naturally, after a while this took a huge emotional toll through sheer mental exhaustion. Sound familiar?

Surprisingly, the answer was very simple. Good commanders soon realised that sending their men in small groups back to the rear area where they could rest for a few hours, have an uninterrupted sleep, and enjoy some hot food was enough to keep them going. More serious cases were sent to aid stations where they were given 24 hours of rest, often sedated, before being returned to the front line. Ninety out of every 100 men suffering exhaustion were able to return to the front line after having had a bit of rest.

Christchurch residents need a rest – perhaps the best way the rest of us can help is by opening our hearts and homes and giving them one.

– Duncan Pardon