Our Field Director, Rev. Segundo Rimarachin, took the pictures below yesterday when he traveled to the South to take an initial report of the effect that the earthquake has had on our churches and the communities surrounding them.
He has reported that in Ica the Church and parsonage walls have been destroyed and neither building are safe to enter. The remains will have to be demolished and new buildings constructed. In Pisco, two Nazarene’s were killed. As yet the church building was not constructed in this mission area, however the pastors house was completely destroyed. In Nuevo Ayacucho (in the area of Chincha Alta), the church building is one of the only structures left partially standing and thus providing an area of shelter for the community. People in all three areas are without water, food, electricity, and warm clothing. Segundo reported that government aid is beginning to arrive, but it is insufficient to meet the needs of the effected communities. Segundo, Jamie and Doug will be returning on Tuesday to revisit the sites taking with them food, clothing, medications, water etc. to provide for the people in the communities surrounding the churches. The areas effected by the earthquake are all mission zones for the church and we are eager to provide the pastors with support to reach out to their communities in this great time of need.
Pastor Sanchez and his family where their house used to be, Ica Peru.
What is left of the Church in Ica.
The church in Nuevo Ayacucho.
As you can see part of the roofing on the Nuevo Ayacucho church remains in tact.
There has been a lot of damage done to the Pan American Highway. The main road that leads down the coast to the affected areas.
Communities are using blankets and sheets to make tents to provide shelter as they live on the streets and in parks.
