Soon after the 7.9 earthquake we put up a sign on our church window asking for donations to help the people in need. We were amazed by the response of the community. On Sunday afternoon, August 19, 2007, a few ladies and some kids worked hard to pack the donations in sturdy bags. Together with the team from L. A., we managed to almost fill the cargo hold of a large bus with donations of food, water, clothing and medicines that evening. The team arrived in Lima the next morning and was treated to a breakfast hosted by the Lima M.B. church.

That evening the group left for the city of Chincha. There was some apprehension about going to the earthquake zone because the power and water were out, but a mere half hour before arriving the power was turned on in part of the city. The next day was spent in rewrapping the food donations in individual portions and distributing them. It felt like a mere cup of water as they saw the dire straits the people were in. The day after in Chincha, our daughter Gladys gave her sleeping bag to a lady and she wept in gratitude.

Large semi-trucks holding government and international supplies would go through town and people would try to flag them down, but their destination was some other area further south. Some trucks would stop and hand out a fraction of the goods. What was done with the rest? Perhaps sold somewhere else for profit?

As the team handed out the donations, they would comfort the people. A mere hug would cause people to break down and weep because of the trauma they had been through. One person in Pisco, the epicenter of the quake, lost 52 relatives in the tragedy. The most emotional moment for me, Bob, (who remained behind in Trujillo) was when I was talking to Erika via cell phone. In the background I heard people praising God in the city square. A church in the city had united with our team to minister to the people. Included in this were activities for the kids (see pictures below).

One of our church members, Sergio la Rosa, came with a group of medical people from HCJB in Quito. They have returned to Quito, but Sergio is considering going back with another team to provide more pastoral care. Pastors in the area have asked him to come back to help them in the task of counseling people dealing with trauma. They are praying that the tragedy will result in a great spiritual revival in southern Peru.

Prayer Requests

(1) Pray for other Peruvian M.B. churches that are sending help and for MCC which is apparently preparing to send longer-term help. Pray that this tragedy will result in spiritual revival.

(2) Pray for the government and other agencies as they deal with rebuilding. Many government and private agencies and businesses are providing aid.

(3) Please continue to pray for our new leadership team in Trujillo as it plans for the future. We are praying for a new pastor and are looking forward to the visit of Ray Harms-Wiebe from the MBMSI office the third week of September.

(4) We hope to finish the construction of our building within the next year. Groups of people willing to come to paint, build book-shelves, make banners, etc. and relate to the people will be showered with love. If you are interested please contact an MBMSI office or us directly. Financial contributions to our building project C0152 will also be received with much gratitude.

(4) Pray for José and Esperanza Prada, Otto and Lydia Funk, and Jacqueline Hidalgo, the leadership team of the church in Lima, who are preparing to send a team to provide aid in the area affected by the earthquake.

In Christ's Service,

Bob and Erika Sukkau