SOUTH BEND — Local relief is on the way to China, but some local families are still waiting to hear from loved ones who are missing.

The 7.9 quake hit Southwest China Monday. More than 12,000 people are dead and thousands are missing. Officials still don't have a clear picture of the damage, but the U.S. government has given China half a million dollars.

Agencies in St. Joseph County have also been in contact with people in China, trying to determine what is needed. As they make preparations, a Shipshewana family is praying that their son who teaches English near the epicenter of the earthquake is OK.

One day before the earthquake, Chad Graber e-mailed his mother.

"The spring is gorgeous and the mountains are beautiful, and they feel so blessed," Ellen Graber read from the e-mail.

Monday, Graber's family saw pictures of workers shifting through the rubble and carrying bodies away. They also saw soldiers stopped because the road to Chad's province was impassable.

"The biggest thing I try not to think about is that they are already gone or injured severely," his mother said.

St. Joseph County Red Cross Director John Pintar is also waiting to hear from China.

"We are pretty sure they are going to be asking for help for things like tenting, tarps, the cans of water and water purification," he said.

Feed The Hungry isn't waiting to help.

"The logistics are hard because they are so far inland. Their office in Hong Kong is planning 800 mile trip to the area," said Bob Boucek, logistics director for Feed the Hungry, an organization that's currently feeding people in 20 countries.

"There's a couple of doctors and medical teams that are ready to go. We will work through a church, so we will set up a relief area, a relief center in local churches to provide the items that are needed," said Boucek.

That food and water could go to help Chad Graber, his pregnant wife Jenny, and their son Matthew.

"Whatever comes out of this is for the good. I believe that with all my heart, that doesn't mean it doesn't make it hard," Ellen Graber said.