Chile Is Shaken

Earthquake Shakes Chile

Our country is trying to recover from a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit during the early morning hours on February 23 in the central area of Chile, leaving hundreds dead, two million injured and a million homes destroyed.

This is a catastrophe of enormous proportions, which impacted 80% of the population. I recall the last official report submitted by the National Office of Emergencies and Information (ONEMI) announced the number of victims to be above 708, a number that unfortunately is expected to continue to rise.

Due to these conditions, there are many areas that have encountered serious difficulties in reestablishing communication. For this same reason, locating our ministers, brothers and churches has been difficult.

We have been able to gather some information, concerning the situation and the status of our brothers throughout the country, progressively and mostly through social networks.

Thank God, at the moment, no one from our church is among the dead. Even so, we crave your prayers for the region of Maule, epicenter of the earthquake, which was later hit by a tsunami.

It is this region in particular which accommodated the delegates attending the South American leadership conference just a few months ago. We are currently unable to establish any form of communication with the 3 churches and 2 missions in the area.

Though it may be too soon to measure the damage our church buildings have suffered because this catastrophe, we have been informed that 60% of the roof of the national tabernacle has suffered significant damage; there is also structural damage to support beams and the pillars of the adjacent dormitories and the national office. Without a doubt, the material damages will require tremendous efforts and hard work ahead.

We thank our brothers at the International Offices for their prayers and the love shown through emails and messages.

We want you to know that we appreciate your support and we feel the effects of your prayers.

Though it is true that the great earthquake has passed, we have experience at least 90 aftershocks, 13 of these have reached magnitudes between 5.2 and 6.9 degrees. We ask that you keep our nation in your prayers, so that we may send reports with no great losses, and most importantly, without any loss of life. Your prayers are vital at this time.

We know nothing is impossible for God, and our nation remains united despite this great trial.

We will be relaying any new development as the information becomes available.

Above all, we thank God for His mercy and protection.

Donations can be made through International Office website, http://www.cogop.org/ and also through our standard procedures. Contact your local church for more details. All gifts are tax deductible and 100% goes to the need you specify.