Nazarenes respond after devastating earthquake strikes Chile

Concepcion, Chile

Thursday, March 4, 2010

A deadly earthquake struck the South American country of Chile on Saturday, February 27, killing more than 700 people. The 8.8-magnitude quake was followed by over 90 significant aftershocks, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. In all, the quake affected more than 2 million people before sending tsunami waves and warnings throughout the Pacific Ocean.

At last report, the Church of the Nazarene had 62 churches in Chile, 57 of which had been officially organized. There are over 2,200 church members in this country.

According to Juan Badilla, a pastor and district superintendent in Chile, "The situation for [Nazarene] pastors´ families and laypeople in general is good - they are in good health." Badilla reports some churches sustained mild damage. Several homes of Nazarenes also were damaged.

Jose David Acosta, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) coordinator for South America, reports many roads and bridges were destroyed, complicating the arrival of immediate government aid to areas needing it the most.

In addition, Acosta states affected towns and cities are dealing with looters striking stores for food or items to sell for food, gas stations for fuel, and even Fire Department vehicles for water.

In Pelluhue, a tsunami with waves 10-15 meters (32-49 feet) high destroyed between 200 and 300 homes as it crashed into the city's waterfront. Pelluhue is located 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Santiago. The official death toll in Pelluhue is unknown as many remain missing.

Acosta reports cities such as Concepción and Temuco Bio Bio and the surrounding district were hit the worst by the earthquake.

The South America Region was able to reach "Pastor Richard" in the Concepción area, the earthquake's epicenter. Richard reports his church in Hualpén withstood the earthquake, though many church members suffered damage to their homes. When the region was finally able to get through to Richard, it was during the church's worship service. "The congregation was delighted and sent their love 'live,'" reported the region.

Badilla reports the parsonage of the church of Pelantaro, which he says was old and made of wood, has been found to be unsafe for habitation and the pastor´s family "has been living in a precarious wooden building adjoining the house." Badilla states money is needed to buy prefabricated components as a partial solution.

The Church Responds

Disaster relief efforts in Chile are being coordinated for NCM by Acosta and missionaries Timothy and Susan McKeithen, who oversee the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Chile.

According to Badilla, the major needs for Nazarene families and for people in general in Chile right now are drinking water, non-perishable food items, and fuel as vehicles are invaluable for getting water from tanker trucks that are sporadically placed in different parts of cities.

Badilla also states there is a need for diapers for babies under two years of age, topological cream, powdered milk for infants and small children, flour to make bread, baking powder and/or yeast, oil and rice, noodles, AA and AAA batteries, and flashlights.

"The restoration of drinking water is very slow and is only in some of the downtown areas of Concepcion," he states. "Other cities have not had any drinking water restored. Electricity has started to be restored to some streets and neighborhoods in Concepcion but ours does not yet have any."

Acosta reports churches in the region's Southern Cone (Chile, Argentina, Uraguay) have been planning their joint response to the disaster and will attempt to move from Argentina into the affected areas despite difficult access.

Southern Argentina churches have been asked to collect non-perishable food items, which will be brought by truck to Concepción and Temuco with water, medicine, first aid, tents, and blankets this weekend.

Acosta states pastor Juan Jose Zany has been integral in coordinating collection efforts in the southern areas.

Nazarene leaders in Chile are aware of further needs and together with NCM are coordinating the mobilization of aid to these needy areas. However, this effort is dependant on alternative transportation routes opening as damage to current routes has been determined to be too dangerous to travel through at this time.

In Chile's Northern District, Nazarenes are being asked to pray and the district is offering its help, though it too is battling communication and transportation difficulties due to the disaster.

Acosta requests prayer for all those affected by the earthquake, as well as the relief efforts now underway. He asks Nazarenes to pray for financial support and the health of Chileans exposed to the elements as they enter their fall season, as well as transportation routes to be opened to places in need.

March 5 Update from the South America Region: Our church taking aid to Hualpén

The districts of Chile and the Southern Cone Area, accompanied by efforts of the SAM Region and the International Nazarene Church, are working to coordinate and achieve all the help possible for our churches in the Bio Bio District. 
 
There is a high level of mobilization and efforts to obtain the items of basic necessity that are being taken to Bio Bio. All districts of the Southern Cone are mobilized to collect and send relief to the affected areas.
  
Barry Carney and George Sisler are coming to Chile. They are part of our International Church of the Nazarene, although officially they are coming to represent the humanitarian aid organization Heart to Heart. Our brothers will be leaving Santiago for Concepción/Hualpén, God willing, on Saturday with the aim of achieving a site assessment. They will also be taking all the supplies that can be fit in their tuck. Significant support has already been mobilized to arrive in Santiago by air.
 
Also, brother Jose David Acosta, South American coordinator of Compassionate Ministries, will be arriving in Santiago on Saturday. God willing, he will be part of the caravan that will be traveling south on Saturday. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has raised a significant gift that is being used to buy basic necessities to be included in a trip that will leave on Monday to the earthquake zone.

The church is praying around the world. From all parts we are hearing messages of solidarity. Many are in prayer and fasting.

We continue in prayer and pray that our Lord will strengthen, encourage and comfort all families who have been affected as a result of this terrible earthquake.

How You Can Help

"On behalf of the Church in Chile, we ask for your prayers for our brothers and sisters that are suffering the consequences of this terrible earthquake," stated Gloria Morales Z. of the Chile North District.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for Chile Earthquake Relief online can do so through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at ncm.org. Checks can be marked "Chile Earthquake Relief ACM1276" and mailed to Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116 Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

For more information on this disaster, see the South America Region web site by clicking here: samnaz.org.
--NCN News (Slideshow available)

 

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