PERU EARTHQUAKE

I made concious effort to watch the news this week, and have never been more depressed. Between the miners in Utah and Japan, the war over seas, politicians not answering questions, and hurricanes ready to trounce on the US again, I remebered why I didn't like to watch it. It is so important to be informed but also mind boggling depressing. The low point came when I read about the earthquake in Peru. When I first saw the headline I looked more into it because I served a misison there, but as I read more in depth, I found that the hardest hit towns were not only in my misssion, but where I served for over a year. As I scrolled through the pictures I saw streets I walked on everyday reduced to piles of bricks and bodies. Theres was one shot imparticular, which i won't post, of bodies laid out, side by side, in the Plaza De Armas in the center of Chincha where I lived for almost 8 months.

The last two shots were from Chincha. The one is in the Plaza where they lined up for food and water and the second is a street leading away from that same plaza where I used to spend every pday.....and alot of other days...just ask Simkins. I read also that Pisco, a port town just north of Chincha, was so badly destroyed that up to 85% of the buildings in the center of the city were destroyed including a large Catholic Church which as holding a funeral at the time of the quake and was completed destroyed. It is a horrible and sad thing and I can only hope they can find a way to rebuild when they literally have nothing.