An Update on the Quake

As I sit here this evening in the coldness of our cute apartment, I am filled with thoughts and prayers for the people of this country. It is strange to be living life when there are so many people very close to us who are in very great need. I have been sensing the urgency to have some tangible way to respond to this great need. I am so thankful for prayer!

This morning as I paced the wet pavement from the overnight dew I came upon a new stand - where each and every newspaper's headline was something about the problems, chaos and suffering of those who live in Pisco, Chincha and Ica and the surrounding pueblo jovenes. It seems that often in crisis situations, the poorest are the most affected.

There is beauty amidst suffering. There are many here in Lima who are collecting and sharing and giving on behalf of those in the most affected areas. Those who do not have much are giving. Many people from around the world have gathered to help the people of this country.

Please pray that the efforts would be unified as people help. As a community we have been talking about the possibility of being a part of ongoing efforts in rebuilding etc...in the future and also of sending a few of us down to the effected areas in the weeks to come. I am hoping to go down this week with some people from church to the affected areas. We will be setting up lunch posts, handing out basic food supplies, Bibles, tents, clothes etc...

Thank you for all of you who continue to pray for the people of Peru. We have continued to have numerous aftershocks in the last few days, which once again, have thwarted the relief efforts and caused buildings to fall down.

Here is a Prayer for the Afflicted:

We bring before you, O Lord,
the troubles and perils of people and nations,
the sighing of prisoners and captives,
the sorrows of the bereaved,
the necessities of strangers,
the helplessness of the weak,
the despondency fo the weary,
the failing powers of the aged.
O Lord, draw near to each and show me how I may draw near
in your Name,
for the glory of Jesus
-An adaptation of a prayer of St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury
1033-1109

May the Lord hold us in His Hands.

Rachel was looking at one of the Peruvian newspapers "El Comercio" and told me that there are some photos of the earthquake. They are very impacting. I have pasted the link below:
El Comercio