Sources: HCJB Global, BanderasNews.com (written by Harold Goerzen and Bonnie Lafitte)
When a powerful earthquake rocked the U.S.-Mexico border region near Mexicali, Baja California, at 3:40 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 4, listeners to a Christian radio station responded quickly, bringing relief to hundreds of residents in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Although the magnitude-7.2 quake only killed two people and injured about 300, it forced thousands from their homes, many of them suffering severe damage and being left without power or water for days or even weeks. Even those whose homes were not destroyed were afraid to go indoors, not knowing when the next aftershock might occur.
"They were so grateful to receive our help," said Beatriz Barraza, business manager of KYRM in Yuma, Ariz., a station in the World Radio Network, one of HCJB Global's cooperating ministries. "The thing they appreciated the most was the water."
The first of two 10-member teams traveled in a caravan of seven vehicles-three pulling trailers-30 miles across the border to the rural town of Indiviso on Saturday, April 10. They were laden with 200 boxes of water bottles and other much-needed supplies such as food, diapers, formula, tents, blankets and clothing.
"It was devastating," Barraza said. "They didn't even have water for their animals because the irrigation canals were damaged. There were huge cracks, and the water was contaminated with sulfur from springs that came out of the ground."
"A lot of buildings were collapsed," she added. "The people in this area had nothing. They were sleeping outside in tents. Some of them were sleeping in cars. They don't have any way to cook food other than on campfires outside their homes."
KYRM personnel also distributed treats for the children and spent time talking with the people, giving them a message of hope and love based on God's Word. "It was difficult to see the devastation visible on their faces," Barraza said.
A second team led by broadcaster Darli Toncel delivered additional supplies-all donated by listeners and local church members-to two rural communities that were even closer to the epicenter, El Faro and Ejido Luis Encinas Johnson, on Saturday, April 17.
The situation has begun to stabilize as the Mexican government has sent soldiers to the quake zone to provide hot meals and set up tents. In Baja California and Sonora, the government has pledged to relocate the homeless residents with promises of plots of land and building materials as the emergency continues.
"Many churches continue to help the victims, cooking meals for them," Barraza explained. "The meals are often prepared at the churches and delivered to people in the communities. There are long lines with people waiting for food. The people are still very afraid."
Barraza urges believers everywhere to pray for the earthquake victims, especially those who don't have safe shelter. The earthquake was also felt in Yuma, but there was little damage in the city.
For addition information and images, visit http://www.kyrmradio.org.
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