Andres is a close friend to missionNOW.  He lives just 250 miles away from the epicentre and has sent this report on what he and his family have faced:

Dear Friend

Thanks for praying for us.

We are all fine. Praise the Lord.

The situation here was really serious. Our house resisted very well the big shake. In the middle of the night I felt the trembling and I woke up Stella. She went to open the doors while I went up stairs to wake up the children and my grandmother who were sleeping in the second floor. We had to do it without any light. In 30 seconds my son Felipe and me got to take out the children, go down stairs and get out of the house. However, I came back to second floor and took my grandmother who didn`t want to go. It is impossible to describe how long time I felt - just 2 and half minutes - they were endless for me. More because all the house was moving in a very very violent way. But... we are ok. We just lost some stuff in our house, but nothing really irreplaceable. God is good.

We are living almost 250 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake, there the situation was even worst.

Right now we are without electricity, few drinkable water, but at least we have food for more than a week. The markets are closed, we have few gas for the car. The roads are affected, most part of the airports are closed. The telephone services are working at times. 

Right now I have Internet for a moment. We have no idea when we will count with normal services. But, we are togheter as family and all of the people of our christian community (our new church that we planted) are fine.

God be with each one of you.

In the Christ`s peace

Andrés, Stella and children.