Update from Pat Blanchard in Peru

Dear friends

Well a week has passed since the earthquake and the situation is still quite tense here in Peru - there are warnings of a further large tremor so people are on tender hooks. Down in the south many organisations are setting up soup kitchens and all the local organisations and businesses in Lima are collecting goods to send down. There have been problems with hijacking lorries en route but now there is a better system with the army, civil defense and other security groups coordinating aid into the areas affected.

The Anglican church has set up 4 places of assistance and is feeding over 3,000 people a day. Another group went down yesterday to replace the team, Father Jesus Manuel and Pastor Zevallos who have been working since Saturday coordinating the food distribution. We plan to set up another two centres in affected villages. Please pray for those from Lima who have gone to work and the local teams collaborating in the areas, pray for their protection and safety.

The Anglican church is also working alongside those injured who are here in hospitals in Lima, clothes and other basic supplies are being provided along with pastoral support and encouragement. Please pray for the hospital team.

If you would like to make a donation to the work of supporting the Peruvians displaced by the Earthquake please contact Patrick Mackie 4 Croft Rise , East bridgford , Nottingham, NG13 8PS
Tel/Fax 01949 20519
I am sure SAMS will also receive donations so please contact them.
Donations directed for Peruvian Earthquake - Anglican Diocese of Peru

In Lima the weather is very wet and cold, but God is doing many amazing things and I think the climate changes are catalyzing peoples thoughts to God and reconciliation.

Please pray for Peru and for all those serving their neighbour at this time in very practical ways. Pray for supplies to get through without problems and pray for protection and safety for all those traveling throughout the affected zones.

Last Friday in our women's meeting a lady shared Psalm 46 with us and this morning as I was looking at the passages for this Sunday I was amazed to find this as the Psalm. Also the readings are very focused on thinking about our heavenly home which is very poignant at this time here.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear. though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the river of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells". ... please read on and pray for the world.

many thanks

In Christ

Pat