HERMITAGE, Pa. - A prayer vigil took place Sunday for the Hermitage native and his wife that were severely burned in the volcanic eruption in New Zealand last week. 

The prayer vigil for Matthew and Lauren Urey took place behind the Hermitage Municipal Building on Route 18 at Rodney White Field. 

They were on their honeymoon during the eruption and are expected to survive as they fight to recover halfway around the world. 

So far, 16 people have reportedly died with others still missing. 

Matthew needs surgery, as 80 percent of his body was burned. Lauren only suffered about 25 percent of burns.

Back at home, the community is praying for their recovery.

A couple who lived next door to where Urey grew up and where his mother Jan still lives, organized the vigil.

"When we realized it was Matt, our neighbor, we knew in addition to the GoFundMe, we just didn't know what we could do," said Vic Ellenberger. "I just woke up at 2 a.m. and thought, our neighbors could do a vigil." 

Matthew graduated from Hickory High School and lives in Richmond, Virginia.

His mother is now at the New Zealand hospital where he is recovering. 

"Being parents, and most of the people on our street know what it's like when they have a child that gets hurt, let alone in a serious condition like that, and the people that we know care about other people and kids," said Ellenberger.

As they bowed their heads in a prayer circle, they gave a message for Matthew and Lauren.

"Know that a lot of people that you know and don't know are praying for you. That they love you. Be strong; please be strong. Don't give up, and you will heal," Ellenberger said with the crowd. 

It's unclear when the couple could make their return home, as medical treatment has been a struggle.

Officials from New Zealand are asking other countries for assistance with all of the skin grafting that has to be done.

Meanwhile, Matt and Lauren's GoFundMe page has reached more than $33,000 since it was posted Tuesday. 

Lauren and Matt Urey
Lauren and Matt Urey