Covenant News

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.

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