A powerful 8.2 earthquake struck just off the coast of southern Mexico just before midnight on Thursday, September 7 according to the Mexican National Seismological Service. The epicenter was off the coast of Pijijiapan, Chiapas. It is the largest recorded earthquake in Mexico in 100 years. The damages are widespread and still being surveyed.
Local news is currently reporting 32 dead as a result of the earthquake, spread across the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco.
Across the border in Guatemala, 14 of the 22 departments, especially those near the border with Mexico, also felt the effects of the earthquake.
The coastal zones in Mexico were evacuated quickly after the earthquake in preparation for a possible tsunami. Praise be to God there was no tsunami, but now those evacuated people are currently staying in the central parks of several communities further inland, including Arriaga and Tonala.
The district superintendents and leaders in the Church of the Nazarene are surveying the damage and reports are incomplete. So far, the most reported damage appears to be in Oaxaca and along the coast of Chiapas, especially in an around Paredon, Chiapas.
The Nazarene Seminary and South District Center in Tuxtla-Guttierez, Chiapas have structural damage on the second floor. They were examined by engineers and deemed usable, although the walls of the second floor will eventually need to be replaced.
In the South Pacific District, part of the roof at the church building in Arriaga fell, and they are reporting wall damage as well.
There are rock and mudslides through several mountain routes that have complicated their efforts. The Mexican Church is using social media to support one another and share information.
We give thanks to God for the lives and ministries especially of the brothers and sisters at the First Church of the Nazarene Tonala, Chiapas. Their building did not suffer significant damage. Today they opened their doors to serve food to approximately 200 people.
Leaders and district superintendents in each district along with Nazarene Compassionate Ministry coordinators and the Work and Witness Coordinator are doing their best to visit the areas most affected. Please pray for their safety on the roads and for all of our brothers and sisters in the affected areas.
