Thanks for everyone's concern -- we feel very lucky for ourselves, yet are saddened by the amount of destruction that the Indonesian people have had to endure.

There have been over 540 aftershocks reported ... but we have only felt about 7... one was apparently 5.4 on the Rikter scale! Things have slowed down though, and we haven't felt anything since yesterday at noonish.

When we tried to go to some of the more affected areas yesterday to lend what assistance we could, the military stopped us (probably because we are not affiliated with any of the official aid organizations). They are not allowing any non-essential travel into the area... probably because they don't want roads jammed and blocking the flow of aide/supplies. There are many people who live in Jogja who have not yet been able to contact their families that live to the south of the city to find out if they are ok... and many others who have been in contact, and are trying to take supplies directly to their families. Since the airport has re-opened we have seen a flood of supplies come into Jogja... my fear is that it is all being stockpiled in warehouses, and the distribution to those in the greatest need has been sparse. This is why we would like to give aid directly to the people in the disaster areas. It doesn't feel right that we are continuing on with our language training when people so near by are in a state of emergency... we have many willing and able hands here... I am trying to get in touch with the local Red Cross or other organization to DO something. It seems there's enough supplies and money coming in... what they need is manpower. There are people lined up like crazy waiting for medical attention, and they are turning away people with minor injuries... Maybe my first-aid skills would come in handy!?