Gateway's Blog

Update from Samaipata: Mountain Slide & Earthquakes

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Update from Dave, 6:45 am PST:

Things are getting dicey here.

It rained Thursday night through Friday morning, causing a mountain slide blocking the road to Santa Cruz.  Then this morning there were three earthquakes, 2.5 to 4 in magnitude, which is extremely unusual here.

Mateo's car only runs on diesel, we are on empty, and the slide is between us and the diesel station.  Please pray for us.

Since writing this update, we have had two more aftershocks.  People around here are not used to this.  I wandered into town looking for Wi-Fi to get this out to you.  Mateo says that if worse comes to worse, we can hike over the mountain to the next town and take a taxi from there, but we would have to abandon our luggage to do that.

Also, last night Rod slipped in the courtyard falling on his outstretched arms.  He is in pain; we hope it’s no worse than that.

Update from Dave, 8:59 am PST:

The epicenter of the last "aftershock" was only 10 miles away and the largest of the earthquakes.  45 minutes later, the civil authorities went on radio and TV telling everyone to vacate their homes and buildings as they fear another quake may happen this morning (all the structures here are mainly adobe and non-reinforced masonry).

We are now planning to leave as soon as the seminar ends at 1pm (about an hour from now) and head for Santa Cruz.

We got word that traffic is flowing again on the main highway with 30 minute gaps to, I'm guessing, allow for one-way traffic and allow earth-moving equipment to continue digging out the road.

I will keep you informed as best as I can.

3 Comments

We are home in Santa Cruz safe and sound...God is good!

I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR YOU, AND ESPECIALLY WONDERING HOW REBECCA MANAGED WITHOUT ELIS AS TRANSLATOR--BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS PROBABLY YHE LEAST OF YOUR PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET PASTOR ROD KNOW HE IS IN MY PRAYERS, AND HOPE THERE ARE JUST MINOR BRUISES. HOPEFULLY YOU ARE DOWN OFF THE MOUNTAIN WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS. MY THOUGHT, LOVE & PRAYERS TO ALL OF YHE TEAM. PLEASE HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME---YB

Thanks for the update Dave, we're praying for God's intervention, we just need to be reminded that He's still in control.
Blessings,
Peter Lendway

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