Pastor Juan said, “I called my children and repented to them and told them I love them; when I get home I will also repent to my church and tell them I love them.” We hear testimonies of restitution and an embracing of agape values in place of works in most every conference we do. But during the earthquake in Peru, as the church and relief agencies were mobilizing quickly, I thought, “Who is attending to the emotional ‘earthquakes’ in people’s lives on a day to day basis?”
The Earthquake in People’s Lives
Peru (Flight Delays, Earthquakes & Illnesses)
It was 6:40pm and we were halfway to the airport when our car started shaking. I thought someone was pushing on the back of the taxi. The furthest thing from my mind was an earthquake. I was so in shock it never occurred to me to be fearful. It went on and on. People on the sidewalks began running and weeping. We realized later that this earthquake was probably much worse near the epicenter. It was. More than 380 died! Our host was in contact with one pastor whose church had completely crumbled to the ground. A nearby prison also had collapsed and 600 prisoners were loose compounding the problems of looting. People had to stay near their damaged properties armed with guns.