Madeira

The loveliness of Nature often turns harsh. Storms batter stone and rock. Meandering rivers become deadly torrents.




This weekend's loss of many lives, terrible injuries, and devastation from the horrendous flooding in Funchal, capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, hit home here! We have very dear friends who live part of the year on the island. Knowing they went there before Christmas, we weren't sure if they had returned to their Welsh home yet. Today I was relieved when they answered their phone in Wales having returned there just one week ago. As far as they know, their Funchal home and family members are OK.

You can read the history of Madeira here. This is being called the worst tragedy in a century on this beautiful island.

News reports state that the infrastructure of Funchal is decimated from the tons of mud, boulders and torrents of water which came down from the hillsides and were carried through the city. It's feared many people were swept away into the ocean.

As the death toll rises, please pray for the people who have lost their loved ones, homes, businesses, and for the many who are suffering from severe injuries. Madeira is a popular Winter resort for Europeans so many of the injured are most likely from other countries.

Weathered stone images taken in Apt, Provence 2008