Zprávy HCJB 12.8.2007 - 18.8.2007

 Škola ve Vietnamu odmítla přijmout křesťanského chlapce.
   Ve škole ve středním Vietnamu se chlapec nedostal na vyšší stupeň, protože je křesťan. Vyplývá to z dopisu ředitele základní školy rodičům chlapce. Rodiče patří k národnostní menšině. I když chlapec splnil všechny požadavky pro přijímací pohovor, škola jej k němu nepřipustila s odvoláním na omezení, podle kterých studenti vyznávající víru nesmějí pohovor absolvovat. Vietnam je pod tlakem, aby zlepšil postavení často chudých etnických menšin v západních a severních horských oblastech. Představitelé křesťanů etnika Degar již dlouho říkají, že děti protestantů (tvořících asi polovinu z celkového počtu 1 milion osob) jsou diskriminovány a není jim dovolováno navštěvovat místní vyšší školy. Přitom tyto školy představují pro mnoho dětí jedinou možnost vyššího, než elementárního vzdělání, protože zde je chudým dětem hrazeno školné, ubytování a strava. Zdroj: Compass Direct)
 
 Lodi Milosti truchlí pro smrt člena týmu pro Afriku.
   Posádky flotily Mercy Ships truchlí nad ztrátou Collin Jeffrey Caroll, pomocného stomatologického koordinátora na lodi Africká Milost (Africa Mercy). Caroll se zřejmě utopil při plavání s přáteli na místní pláži u Monrovie v Libérii. K neštěstí došlo v neděli 29. července 2007. Collin vystudoval bakalářský směr na fakultě biomedicíny texaské A&M University a promoval počátkem prosince 2006. Na nemocniční loď v Africe nastoupil v 8. června 2007. Mercy Ships poslala upomínkové video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8753881223075817278. Zdroj: Mercy Ships
 
 Pět muslimů před soud za vraždy křesťanů.
   Pět muslimských militantů obviněných z účasti na řadě vražedných útoků na křesťany v indonéské provincii Střední Sulawesi stanulo tento týden před soudem. Muži jsou souzeni podle protiteroristického zákona Podle vyšetřovatelů útoky zahrnovaly vraždu kněze, useknutí hlavy třem křesťanským školačkám v okrese Poso na Sulawesi a bombový útok na tržišti, který zabil jednoho kolemjdoucího. Podle indonéského protiteroristického zákona by obžalovaní mohli dostat trest smrti. Poso bylo sužováno muslimsko-křesťanským nepřátelstvím v letech 1998-2001 a zahynulo tehdy přes 2000 lidí. Přestože byl v roce 2001 sjednán mír, občasné projevy nepřátelství se vyskytují stále. Žalobami však končí jen málokdy. Zdroj: Mission Network News
 
 V Indii vyobcován za přijetí Krista.
   „Byl jsem vyhnán, protože jsem přijal Krista,“ říká Muthyappa, pomocný dělník, který chodí do kostela v Gokkak v indickém státě Karnaka. On a jeho rodina se stali před šesti lety křesťany. Rodiče prohlásili, že přijal „cizí náboženství,“ a že také pošpinil hinduistickou víru, „což nejde dohromady s naším náboženstvím a tudíž i s rodinou a se společností.“ Muthyappa šel cestou víry v Krista sám, jen s manželkou a třemi dětmi. Vidouc jeho víru v Krista, jeho sestra opustila rodinu a následovala svého bratra. Řekl jí, že „se drží“ verše v žalmu 27:10 Ačkoli otec můj a matka má mne opustili, Hospodin však mne k sobě přivine. Muthyappa říká: „Vím, že modlitby působí zázraky. Vím, že to funguje a tak prosím o modlitby mých bratří a sester po celém světě k Bohu, aby v naší situaci učinil zázrak. Vím, že Pán Ježíš o tom ví, a věřím, že mi jistě pomůže.“ Zdroj: : ASSIST News Service.
 
 Jihoafrický sbor vyzdvižen za pomoc obětem AIDS.
   Sbor čítající 315 členů obdržel Cenu Odvahy za pomoc lidem postiženým AIDS v jednom z pandemií nejhůře postižených míst. Odměněn je společný projekt Willow Creek Association a World Vision. Baptistický sbor Král Králů z Kapského Města známý jako „sbor, který se stará,“ byl vybrán mezi asi stovkou dalších a dostal za své úsilí 120 000 dolarů. Další dvě ceny dostaly Západní Sbor Andělů Božích v Kristu z Los Angeles a Rocklandský Sbor v Golden v Coloradu. Oba dostaly po 40 000 dolarech. „Tyto sbory se proslavily poskytováním svých prostředků potřebným lidem - poraněným, nemocným a chudým,“ řekl Bill Hybels, starší pastor Willow Creek Community Church. „Udělená odměna je inspirací pro vedoucí sborů, je odměnou pro ty, kteří skutkem chápou vztah církve k lidem, jejichž životy devastoval AIDS.“ Zdroj: Christian Newswire
 
 Informace o pronásledované církvi
   Informace o pronásledované církvi jsou m.j. na www.opendoorsusa.org, www.persecution.org, www.persecution.com/news/index.cfm, www.compassdirect.org, www.forum18.org and www.barnabasfund.org. Tyto zdroje nemusí vždy vyjadřovat pohled HCJB Global.
 
 Na pomoc mizejícímu křesťanství v Evropě.
   Christian Resources International (CRI) zahajují novou činnost – poskytování kriticky důležitých pomůcek misionářům pracujícím po celé Evropě. Tato akce pramení z obav z rostoucího vlivu islámu v Evropě. Fred Palmerton z CRI říká, že společně doufají, že podzimní kampaň pod názvem Ukaž, co máš v knihovničce pomůže. „Islám v Evropě jasně vítězí a my s tím chceme bojovat. Budeme hledat jména a adresy misionářů nyní pracujících v Evropě, kteří potřebují zadarmo Bible a křesťanskou literaturu v angličtině.“ Kdo se k akci připojí, pošle své nadbytečné Bible, výklady a další pomocnou literaturu CRI, kde je pak rozdělí. Palmerton pokračuje: „Musíme v Evropě něco udělat. Křesťanství zde rychle mizí a myslím, že Ukaž, co máš v knihovničce je v tomto smyslu docela dobrá protiakce.“
 
 Všechny zprávy v angličtině.
   ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP CALLS FOR SUMMER SLOWDOWN

Source: Assist and Ekklesia.co.uk
Dr. John Sentamu, the Ugandan-born Anglican Archbishop of York, has announced that he is to send every MP in the United Kingdom some summer reflection material: The 100-Minute Bible and a guide to slowing down. According to a story published on Ekklesia (www.ekklesia.co.uk), the guide, written by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt. Rev Stephen Cottrell, and released earlier this year (2007), is entitled "Do Nothing To Change Your Life." This resource is a passionate plea for the nation to ditch "to do" lists, e-mails, and an increasingly "24/7" culture. The book was published following news that an international study had shown that the pace of life in British cities has increased by 10 per cent in the last decade.

DISASTROUS MONSOONS BRING MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

Source: Mission Network News
Christians are beginning to take action and reach out in Jesus' name as a result of the terrible monsoon rains over the past several weeks. With over 1000 dead in India and at least 18 million homeless, a local ministry - India Partners - is helping to meet the growing needs. These needs include food and shelter; however the impact of the rains will affect people far into the future. Many of the fields are destroyed and the livestock have died. India Partners has been working with indigenous agencies in India since 1984. India Partners supports a variety of programs for the poor of India, from building schools and medical clinics, to micro-credit programs and the rescue of commercial sex workers.

SCHOOL IN VIETNAM DENIES ENTRY TO CHRISTIAN BOY

Source: Compass Direct
A school in central Vietnam has denied entry to a fifth-grade boy because he is Christian, according to a letter from an elementary school principal to the ethnic minority child's parents. While the student met all of the requirements to take the entrance examinations, the school announced a restriction saying that students following a religion would not be allowed to take the examination. Vietnam has been under pressure to improve the lot of its often poor ethnic minorities in the western and northern mountainous regions. Degar Christian leaders have long complained that children of Protestants (making up an estimated one-half of the 1 million Degar people) are discriminated against and not allowed entrance into the residential schools. Considered highly desirable, the schools offer the only opportunity for secondary education for many students, as they provide funding for tuition and room and board for poor students.

ATHLETES IN ACTION WRESTLER FOLLOWS IN PARENTS' FOOTSTEPS

Source: Assist News Service
On one Athletes in Action (AIA) volleyball tour in the early 1990s, Jay and Sandra Doty were given an AIA wrestling shirt and stored it away, wondering if they would ever have a use for it. They went on AIA volleyball tours to Guatemala in 1987 and 1988 and spent all of 1989 in the Central American country as missionaries. This summer the wrestling shirt was finally needed when their son, Stephen, following in his parents' footsteps, traveled to Guatemala in June with an AIA wrestling team. The team competed against Guatemalan wrestlers in the Pat Shaw Cup, visited an orphanage and put on wrestling clinics in Guatemalan schools. At the Pat Shaw Cup, Stephen captured a gold medal in the167-pound weight class. During his time in Guatemala, Doty and his teammates had the opportunity to share the message of God's love with wrestlers from other competing countries as well as Guatemalans living in the area. "I wanted to share the message of God's love with the people I came in contact with, and I grew both physically and spiritually," Stephen said.

SURVEY: PARENTS CAN HELP TEENS STAY IN CHURCH

Source: Religion Today
Parents and churches together can help their teenagers decide to stay in church as young adults, new research from LifeWay Christian Resources indicates. Baptist Press reports that, despite appearances, teens do want guidance when it comes to the decisions they face in everyday life. Parents and churches who meet those needs make it more likely the teens will stay in church as young adults, according to the survey of more than 1,000 adults ages 18-30. LifeWay Research conducted the survey in April and May 2007. While the study revealed that 70 percent of young adults ages 23 to 30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between 18 and 22, it also indicated several tangible ways parents and churches could make them more likely to stay in church. Two-thirds of the teens who stay in church as young adults describe the church as "a vital part of my relationship with God." "Teens are looking for more from a youth ministry than a holding tank with pizza," said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. "They look for a church that teaches them how to live life. As they enter young adulthood, church involvement that has made a difference in their lives gives them a powerful reason to keep attending."

© Copyright 2007 - HCJB Global - Colorado Springs, CO USA
 
 Všechny zprávy v angličtině.
   MERCY SHIPS MOURNS THE DEATH OF AFRICA MERCY STAFF MEMBER

Source: Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships crew is mourning the loss of Collin Jeffrey Carroll, assistant dental coordinator on Africa Mercy. Carroll apparently drowned while swimming with friends at a local beach near Monrovia, Liberia on Sunday, July 29, 2007. Collin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University graduating a semester early in December, 2006. Collin arrived on the hospital ship in Africa on June 8, 2007. Mercy Ships has posted a memorial video at: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8753881223075817278.

FIVE MUSLIMS FACE TRIAL FOR CHRISTIAN MURDERS IN INDONESIA

Source: Mission Network News
Five Muslim militants charged with involvement in a string of deadly attacks against Christians in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province went on trial this week. The men have been charged under the country's anti-terrorism laws. According to prosecutors, the attacks included the assassination of a pastor, the beheading of three Christian school girls in the Poso district of Sulawesi, and a bomb attack on a market that killed one passerby. Under Indonesia's anti-terrorism law, the defendants could face the death penalty. Poso has been plagued with Muslim-Christian violence between 1998 and 2001 that left more than 2,000 people dead. Even though a peace accord was signed in 2001, there has been sporadic violence. Prosecution against such attacks has been rare.

TWR JOINS AERDO FOR BROADER RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT RESPONSE

Source: Mission Network News
TWR (Trans World Radio) is now in partnership with the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations (AERDO). The coalition is made up of believers engaged in relief and development work. Tom Watkins, of TWR, says the partnership is a natural fit, using their 2004 response to the tsunami as an example. "We were able to come in with radio and be able to coordinate some of those efforts with the relief and development organizations to have an immediate communication strategy there."

DEATH THREATS ACCOMPANY CONVERSION LAWSUIT IN EGYPT

Source: BosNewsLife and Compass Direct News
Muslim-born Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy is currently in hiding after the lawyer helping him to file a lawsuit for his conversion to be officially recognized received death threats. The young man sued Egypt's Interior Ministry for refusing to recognize his change of religion on his national identity card. The change of religious affiliation allows those designated as Christians to openly attend church and religious classes. Though conversion is not specifically outlawed in Egypt, Muslim converts to Christianity are often forced to live double lives, hiding their faith to avoid torture at the hands of family members and police, Egyptian Christians and rights groups say.

MONGOLIAN CHILDREN RECEIVE SURGERY THROUGH CHILDREN'S HEART PROJECT

Source: Samaritan's Purse
Misheel and Genka live in Mongolia and were born with heart defects that threatened their lives. Through the Children's Heart Project, Samaritan's Purse arranged for them to receive medical care in the United States. Following successful surgeries on July 20, the girls and their families are recovering in San Antonio as they are cared for by physicians at the Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas and a host family from the area. Since 2006, this project has helped 400 children with life-threatening heart defects come to North America for surgery. More than 50 hospitals have participated, donating their services to help these children in their time of need.

© Copyright 2007 - HCJB Global - Colorado Springs, CO USA
 
 Všechny zprávy v angličtině.
   MICRO-LOAN ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER IN RWANDA TO PROVIDE BANKING SERVICES

Source: Mission Network News
Opportunity International is joining hands with World Relief's Urwego Community bank in Rwanda in order to better serve the poor and aid the rebuilding and reunification of that country. World Relief has operated Urwego Community Banking, the first and largest micro-finance institution in Rwanda, since 1997. World Relief Canada and HOPE International have been financial partners in Urwego for several years. The new organization will be the Urwego Opportunity Micro-finance Bank (UOMB) of Rwanda, headquartered in the central district of Kigali, and will open a new banking hall using state-of-the-art technology in early fall. The combined operation has offices in 27 of the 30 districts in Rwanda, more than 28,000 loan clients, and over 3,000 savings clients. UOMB has $4.5 million (US) in equity capital and a loan portfolio of $1.7 million (US).

SAUDI GOVERNMENT POLICY ALLOWS RELIGIOUS MATERIAL TO BE CONFISCATED FROM TOURISTS

Source: Assist News Service and Jerusalem Post
In a time when the Saudi Arabian government is trying to increase tourism, they are also not backing down from the ban on religious items from Judeo or Christian faiths in the country. According to the Jerusalem Post, despite a series of initiatives aimed at generating foreign tourism, the Saudi government continues to bar Jews and Christians from bringing items such as Bibles, crucifixes and Stars of David into the country and is threatening to confiscate them on sight. Over the summer, the Saudi government-run Supreme Commission for Tourism announced a number of steps, such as issuing group visas to foreigners through tour operators and granting longer entry visas, in the hopes of boosting the number of foreign tourists to 1.5 million annually by 2020.

REJECTED FOR ACCEPTING CHRIST IN INDIA

Source: ASSIST News Service
"I was cast out from my society for accepting Christ," says Muthyappa, a helper fabricator who attends a church at Gokak in Karnataka state, India. He and his family became Christians six years ago. The elders claimed that he had accepted a "foreign religion," and also that he had dishonored the Hindu faith, "and hence he is not fit to be a part of our religion and he needs to be kicked out from the company of his family and community." Muthyappa made his way out along with his wife and his three children. Seeing his commitment to Christ, his sister left the family and followed Muthyappa. He told her that he was "holding on" to the verse from Psalm 27:10, "When the father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me." Muthyappa says, "I know that prayer works miracles. I have seen it work and I ask for prayer support from brothers and sisters around the world for God to work wonders in our situation. I know Jesus knows my situation and I believe that He will surely help me."

© Copyright 2007 - HCJB Global - Colorado Springs, CO USA
 
 Všechny zprávy v angličtině.
   KOREAN HOSTAGE SACRIFIECED FREEDOM FOR COLLEGUE

Source: BosNewsLife
The militant Taliban movement said Wednesday, August 15, that one of the South Korean Christian hostages they were going to set free in Afghanistan "due to ill health" opted to stay in captivity for the sake of another colleague whose condition was worse. A spokesman for commander Abdullah Jan, was unable to name the person saying "their names are very difficult to remember," The Korea Times newspaper reported. Two women hostages were freed Monday, August 13, following face-to-face talks between a two-member Taliban delegation and South Korean officials. News about the circumstances of the release came as the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Samuel Kobia, announced he met families and relatives of the hostages who have been holding daily prayer vigils. Of the 23 hostages captured July 19, two have been killed. Nineteen Christians, most of them women, are still held by the Taliban.

SOUTH AFRICAN CHURCH RECOGNIZED FOR AIDS HELP

Source: Christian Newswire
A church of 315 members received the Courageous Leadership Award for helping people affected by AIDS in one of the nations hardest hit by the pandemic. The award is a joint project of the Willow Creek Association and World Vision. Known as "the church that cares," King of Kings Baptist Church in Cape Town, South Africa was selected among nearly 100 entries, and will receive $120,000 for its efforts. In addition, there were two runners up: West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, and Rockland Community Church in Golden, Colorado. They each will receive $40,000. "These churches are making their mark, applying resources at their disposal to the needs of the hurting, the diseased, and the poor," says Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. "This award inspires leaders by honoring churches doing their part to help meet the holistic needs of those whose lives are devastated by AIDS."

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS HELP FEED MINE RESUE EFFORT

Source: Baptist Press
As rescue workers drill a third hole in their nine-day search to locate six coal miners trapped 1,800 feet underground at Crandall Canyon Mine, Southern Baptist disaster relief workers are busy feeding the Utah miners' families and rescue personnel. "Since we started last Saturday, we've prepared and served up to 750 meals a day," said Wade Gayler, disaster relief director for the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention. In addition, 175 meals also are being prepared and delivered via helicopter to the Crandall Canyon Mine, where miners and rescue personnel are working around the clock at the drilling rig site near the accident, which occurred on Aug. 6. Gayler asked for prayer, "that He might open doors for us to provide eternal hope for these people - that ultimately, we'll have opportunities to minister and speak with people in the community about Jesus."

TWO YEAR IMPRISONMENT FOR AZERBAIJANI BAPTIST PASTOR

Source: The Voice of the Martyrs/Forum 18 News Service
UPDATE: On August 8, Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison by a court in the Northwestern Regional Center of Zakatala, Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News Service, Balaev was convicted of using violence against a state representative. He was accused of holding "illegal meetings under the guise of religious activity without concrete authority and registration." He also was accused of attracting young people to worship services and playing loud music at services. Azerbaijan's authorities have changed their accusations since Balaev has been held. Police initially claimed Balaev set a dog on police during a raid on a Sunday worship service. After more than 50 people signed a written statement testifying to Balaev's innocence, the references to the dog disappeared from the authorities' claims. Instead, Balaev was accused of attacking five policemen and damaging a police car door."

© Copyright 2007 - HCJB Global - Colorado Springs, CO USA
 
 Všechny zprávy v angličtině.
   TWO TEENAGERS FROM BURMA GIVEN REFUGE IN US

Source: Christian Newswire
Bertha Say Dah and Mercy Htoo, two teenage girls from war-ravaged Burma, have a lot to be thankful for. From the midst of a harsh, impoverished life in a refugee camp, both were selected to attend a vocational school run by Christian Freedom International (CFI) in Mae Sot, Thailand, where they learned English, computer skills, science and the Bible. They have also benefited from CFI's child sponsorship program that provided for their day-to-day necessities as well as their educational needs. Now, both girls are part of the mass resettlement effort that is bringing hundreds of Burma's refugees to America. "I thank the CFI organization because they helped us. Also I thank my sponsor because she helped me. . . I will go to America with my family. If I study I will try my best," says Bertha Say, 17, who will reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with her mother and two sisters.

MINORITIES IN PAKISTAN FACE POSSIBLE DEATH

Source: Compass Direct News
Christians and Hindus in northern Pakistan have received dozens of letters threatening them with death if they refuse to become Muslims, church sources and a police official said yesterday. Police continued to provide security around churches and temples this week, even as Christians received new deadlines for converting to Islam. Though the original August 10 deadline for conversion has passed, Peshawar's minorities continue to live in fear, canceling church activities and skipping services, a Catholic priest said. Some of the letters had been thrown into the courtyards of Christian and Hindu homes in Peshawar's Kohati, Interior City and Cantonment districts. Peshawar Catholic priest Yousaf Amanat said that he had received a letter by mail telling him to convert to Islam by Tuesday (August 14). "It was written that if we don't become Muslim we will be killed."

RESOURCING MISSIONARIES IN EUROPE

Source: Mission Network News
Christian Resources International (CRI) is launching new effort to provide critical Christian resources to missionaries serving throughout Europe. The effort is focused on addressing the rising influence of Islam in Europe. CRI's Fred Palmerton says they're hoping that a fall campaign called Operation: Bare Your Bookshelf will help. "Islam is really taking Europe by storm and we want to combat that. What we're going to be seeking are the names and addresses of missionaries who are currently serving in Europe who are in need of receiving free Bibles and Christian books in English." Participants send their excess Bibles, commentaries and other help books to CRI, who will then distribute them. Palmerton continues, "We have to do something in Europe. Christianity is disappearing rapidly there, and I think 'Bare Your Bookshelf' is going to lend itself nicely to that."

DALLAS SEMINARY LAUNCHES ONLINE CHINESE EDUCATION

Source: ASSIST News Service
Chinese pastors and leaders all over the world will now have access to top-quality theological training due to a first-of-its-kind online video program launched by Dallas Theological Seminary. The program, which according to a news release has been in the development stages for the past two years, initially included 24 students as part of a "beta test." As the program grows, hundreds of students will be able to take part. "We have been afforded an unprecedented opportunity to impact people for Christ," said Dallas Seminary President Dr. Mark Bailey speaking in the news release. "We can reach developing leaders in one of the largest countries in the world-and one with a rapidly growing Christian community." The 83-year-old Dallas Seminary is one of the largest non-denominational seminaries in the world, with more than 11,000 alumni serving in 96 countries.

MISSIONS SEND MEDICAL HELP TO AID PERU´S QUAKE VICTIMS

Source: HCJB Global
With rescuers removing rubble of a Peru earthquake in search of survivors even as aftershocks continue, a team from HCJB Global Hands in Ecuador is speeding its way to the quake zone to provide medical assistance, supplies and counseling to those affected by the tremor.

The disaster response team is traveling in answer to a request for aid from Samaritan's Purse, a US-based Christian mission that provides humanitarian aid in catastrophic situations around the world.

HCJB Global´s International Healthcare Coordinator, Sheila Leech, is heading a team of physicians from Hospital Vozandes-Quito. Eight people accompanying Leech are expected to arrive in Lima on Saturday, then travel farther south to Chincha Alta, Pisco and Ica, all hard-hit communities south of there. They plan to spend a week helping those affected by the quake, according to Ms. Leech.

Samaritan's Purse Ecuador Director Judd Johnson preceded the team to the affected area. "From what he tells us, the immediate needs are food and shelter," Ms. Leech said. Her appreciation for Samaritan's Purse was sparked when the mission agency's helicopter pilots ferried her team to quake victims in Indonesia. That thankfulness grew to overflowing with a recent shipment by Samaritan's Purse of medical equipment to the Quito-based hospital where mission doctors and Ecuadorians work and minister together.

As with several other teams dispatched by the hospital, the team will be international, but comprised mainly of Ecuadorian health workers. "Since Peru is on our doorstep, it's not an issue for our Ecuadorians and neither is language a barrier," Ms. Leech said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for our Ecuadorian colleagues to respond to a disaster situation."

Other team members include a trauma surgeon, Dr. Eckehart Wolff, who has performed surgeries on other such trips to Asia and Africa. His wife, Klaudia, will travel with him, addressing people's emotional and spiritual trauma even as he mends broken limbs in the surgery. A physician herself, she is a professional counselor. "This is the first time we've been in a situation where we have somebody who can actually speak the language who can be used for trauma counseling," Ms. Leech said.

Another team member is Sergio LaRosa, a Peruvian pastor associated with HCJB Global for more than a decade who serves with Sent To Serve Ministries in Peru. With the quake's destruction of much of his hometown, Chincha Alta, he waited two days to hear of the well-being of his mother and sister there.

Living in a home rebuilt after collapsing two years ago in an earthquake, both are well despite Chincha Alta's proximity to the August 15 quake's epicenter. It was the strongest tremor that area locals remember, he said. But LaRosa's family members are surrounded by devastation. On Friday, he learned of a 5.5 aftershock they had endured.

Telling of earlier televised images from Chincha Alta, LaRosa said "Really I almost could not recognize the city because one could see that -at least in Chincha -- 60 percent of the city was devastated.... Those homes are relatively new, constructed to anti-seismic standards, but they've collapsed or become uninhabitable, and so people are living in parks. And it's the coldest time of the year." LaRosa said on average temperatures can get to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

The death toll from Wednesday's quake in southern Peru reached 450 on Thursday, with more than 1,500 injured. While the quake itself was reported at 7.9 to 8.0 on the Richter scale, aftershocks of 5.0 have put people in fear of returning to their homes.

© Copyright 2007 - HCJB Global - Colorado Springs, CO USA
 

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