In the aftermath of the earthquake that has left more than 700 dead, Christians in Chile are asking for prayer for social stability and for the church as it seeks to accompany people who are suffering.
CMS joins with the Christians in Chile in praying for those grieving and looking for lost relatives and friends.
Sammy Lago reported from the capital Santiago that the main effect there has been queues around corners at petrol stations as rumours of fuel shortages spread, and supermarkets closed.
But 300 miles south west in the most severely affected areas around Concepcion, things were very different, Sammy reported to contacts at SAMS Ireland (with whom he did a placement last year).
Communication is very difficult: “The phone lines have been down and mobile phone signals are weak and unreliable. Even the government hasn't really known what's been happening till about 12 hours ago.
“The news we're now getting is quite disturbing: riots, looting, people trapped under buildings and even hundreds of people having escaped a few of the local prisons. On the coast some towns have been hit by tsunamis (though things are calmer now on that front).
“Thankfully, the news from the Concepción church seems to be ok. We've heard news of many of the church families staying together and sharing food and lodgings, as things are much more difficult there.”
CMS partners safe
Partners working with CMS in Chile were reported safe, said Bishop Henry Scriven, director of mission for Latin America.
Ary and Danny Morrison and their family, who live in Concepcion, have made contact and are safe.
The previous Bishop of Chile, Colin Bazley, and his wife, Barbara, are visiting family in Santiago and were on the 24th floor in an apartment when the earthquake hit. “They were shaken, but not stirred!” says Bishop Henry. “I heard from Daniel Kirk [who helps train church leaders] in Vina del Mar just after the power was turned back on (Saturday at 1.30pm) and they didn’t know what was happening apart from feeling the tremors. His mother in England watched Chilean TV online and told them the news.”
There was no news from Alf and Hilary Cooper (mission partners based in Santiago), who are holidaying in the south of Chile “I was assured by Alf’s brother in law (Terry Barratt who has just retired after 40 years with SAMS) that they should be fine as they were staying in a wooden house.” Latin Partners Alejandra and Cristobal Ceron have also been in touch and are safe.
In general, as has been widely reported, Chile was better equipped for this earthquake than Haiti. Says Sammy Lago, “Chile was much more prepared in terms of infrastructure than Haiti was. The earthquake here released about 500 times more energy and the destruction comparatively is not nearly as bad.”
Prayer points:
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For the bereaved and those still unaccounted for
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For aid to reach the most needy as quickly as possible
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For stability and calm in the midst of panic
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For fellow Christians as they seek to serve those in need