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Chile earthquake update

9:49am Wednesday, 3rd March 2010

The earthquake was during the night (Friday to Saturday) at 3 a.m.This is my 3rd earthquake but certainly the worst I have been through. We awoke suddenly as the ground beneath and the house around shook convulsively, we could barely stand up and objects began to fall and break around the house adding to the already loud noises. It went for endless 3 minutes. Once it stopped and checked we were all right we checked the structural integrity of the house to make sure it was ok to stay indoors. The house withstood the violence of the quake. We had water and gas, but no telephone, internet or electricity until a couple of hours ago. We had 3 guests with us, 3 incoming CEP students, we were with us until they found a flat to rent. It was a blessing to have their company during a long, long night. The tremors continued all night long, in fact until today, so we spent the rest of the night in the living room trying to get whatever rest we could and thanking God we were fine. About 4 a.m. my mother, brother his wife and new baby, turned up as they live in high rise building and did not want to stay there the rest of the night, and stayed with us until yesterday.

Next day we started checking on friends, relatives and church members. Nobody was hurt and damage to property is minor. Santiago is in relatively good shape after such a big quake. Communications and transport are back after 48 hours and most buildings are standing. Still there are 1000 people dead, several hundred thousands homeless and many injured.Some are still without power or gas. One of the big hospitals is closed, the airport is useless and some of the freeways impassable. Schools are closed.

The worst took place south of Santiago in the Concepcion area (city 500 kms. south). The area is devastated, like a war zone (the energy released by this earthquake was 80 times worse than Haiti).Many buildings collapsed and to the misery of the situation further is being added as pillage and looting are becoming rampant. The government has sent the military to the streets to maintain order and curfew at night has been ordered.

There are 3 Anglican congregations in the city plus a couple more up in the mountains among Mapuche natives. We have almost no information and churches here are making donations to take food and other aid to church families down there.

Sunday service, with those who were able to get to church, was emotional as we gave thanks to God for his protection and prayed for those suffering.

Please pray for our nation and our authorities as they try to lead us in difficult times. Pray for the church that we may show Christian love and concern and take this opportunity for gospel witness.

In his love

Cesar & Ani Guzman