Massive Earthquake in Peru

On Wednesday, August 15th, there was a massive earthquake in Peru - a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale. There continue to be aftershocks rocking the country, and rescuers still search for people trapped under the rubble. The death toll, currently at 500, is predicted to rise as rescuers comb through the rubble looking for missing family members, friends, and guests.

CNN reports that the most serious damage occurred on the Pacific coast of the country, south of the capital city of Lima. The cities of Pisco, Chincha, Ica, and Canete are among the hardest hit. Houses, churches, schools, and other buildings have collapsed and people - including children - have been scattered. Click here to read CNN's report on the earthquake.

Pray for the comfort and aid of the Peruvian people in this great time of need, especially for children who may have lost family members in the earthquake. Click here to read World Vision's news regarding the earthquake and its aftermath. You can also find links to donate to World Vision's relief effort in Peru.

Other organizations also working to provide relief in Peru for the victims of the earthquake include:

• The American Red Cross
  
• CARE.org
  
• The United Nations, specifically UN agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, among others.
  

Prayer for hostages and their families

2 are no longer with us, and 21 are still being held by the Taliban. While these are not the first hostages captured in these past months, their situation - much like those hostages that have been captured previously - is indeed one for which I cannot find any words to describe. It is tragic to see civilians who have gone under the umbrella of volunteering and aid be captured and killed one by one. A hostage situation is always a delicate one where things seem to be complicated by the perspectives of the respective countries involved. Nonetheless, lives hang in the balance and the families of these hostages must be in extremely anxious and distressed states. So as the world watches, let us pray and remember these families and the individuals who are currently alive and being held captive by the Taliban - pray for strength, for hope, and for things to be resolved as peacefully as possible.