Pisco, Peru

Well there is certainly never a dull moment for us Chynoweth's living here in Colombia...

On August 15 a two-minute long earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck just off the coast of Peru and was followed by numerous powerful aftershocks. The towns of Pisco, Ica, Chincha and Canete were all severely damaged. The official UN situation report today lists 503 certified deaths, and 1,042 injured. 35,568 homes and 4 hospitals have been destroyed along with 16 other hospital affected by the earthquake. The Peruvian government in cooperation with other governments from around the world and the international relief community have stepped in to begin providing relief.


















Tomorrow afternoon (Friday) I fly to Lima, Peru's Capital City, with Carlos, Missy's husband, where will be met by the head of Operation Blessing, Peru. We will rent a Land Cruiser and drive south to Pisco (reports indicate that what used to be a 2 hour drive has stretched into a 5+ hour drive due to road damage, destroyed bridges, and very bad traffic). Carlos and I will be the initial survey team for a CDA team of Doctors that will be arriving a few days later, and a plane of relief supplies. We will be coordinating the logistics of transportation, lodging, security, communications, and developing a plan of action in coordination with the other rescue and relief efforts that are underway. Through the generous funding of Woord en Daad Holland, we are also purchasing a large quantity of tents and relief supplies that will be flown directly from China to Lima, so in 4 days, we will return to Lima to coordinate the pickup of the aid, the transportation and its storage/distribution.

The team of doctors and psychologists will arrive early next week with mobile medical equipment to begin treating patients and assessing needs. Peru is in the winter months right now (being far south of the equator) and the nights are very cold. The low temperatures, combined with lack of blankets, shelter, bathrooms, clean drinking water and medicine on top of the injuries sustained in the quake, are creating critical health care needs. The catastrophic losses have also created a great need for psychological grief/trauma counseling. They will also be providing valuable training to the Operation Blessing staff on the use of the equipment and it will be donated to them upon our departure for continued use as the emergency relief work transitions into longer term stabilization and reconstruction work.

Please pray for all the residents who are suffering, for our safety (from aftershocks, looting, riots, and the 500 prisoners who escaped from a damaged prison), for wisdom as we make decisions and try to maximize the effectiveness of the help we are providing, for compassion as we interact with people on an individual basis, and for team work and a spirit of cooperation (both within our CDA team, and with the other groups operating in the area). Additionally, please pray for Jessie (who would have loved to come along but can't) while she holds down the fort and cares for Isabella.

I won't have internet while I'm there, so updates/pictures will have to wait till I get back. I am getting international service on my cell phone so I can stay in touch with Jessie and the CDA headquarters in cases of emergency.

Thanks for your prayers!
Jim