Church of God Affected by Earthquake in Central America
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake centered off the Pacific coast of Guatemala last week devastated sections of the country and shook an area from Mexico City to El Salvador. Forty-eight are reported dead so far, at least one Church of God congregation in San Pedro has been left without a building, and further damage reports are expected, said Tim Hill, general director of World Missions. Our missionaries and the orphanage were shaken, but safe.
“Cell towers are down and landlines are not working,” reported Western Guatemala Church of God overseer, Alfredo Calderón, “so we are cut off from additional information.” News media reported that the major roads into the quake-ravaged area are also impassable because of landslides. Four aftershocks of magnitude 5 or above have continued the trembling.
The quake, off the coast of the southern city of Champerico, also affected Quetzaltenango, where a major Church of God school is situated. No reports of damage have yet come from the school, but many homes are known to have been leveled. Casa Shalom orphanage escaped without harm, but many buildings in nearby Guatemala City, the capital, have suffered damage.
Dr. Hill indicated that assistance from World Missions in cases like these comes from the Christ’s Birthday and Humanitarian Sunday offerings from U.S. Church of God members. Those wishing to help may visit www.cogwm.org, click on the “Donate” button, and designate their gift for Project 020-0803. Those who prefer to give by credit card may call 1-800-345-7492 and make the same designation.
(Source: Church of God World Missions)
