Wednesday, November 7, after a 7.2 Richter Scale earthquake, many fears were reawakened in Guatemala. Many people rushed to call loved ones, secure food and water, or save a neighbor buried under the rubble. For many Guatemalans, this was a déjà vu moment and for others, this was a moment to learn about their parents recent and haunting past.  On February 4, 1976, a devastating earthquake killed more than 22,000 people in Guatemala.

Source: prensalibre.com

Last week’s earthquake, with an epicenter off the Pacific coast of Guatemala, reportedly killed over 50 people and injured over one hundred more.  At the time of publication, 23 people were still missing. As communities in San Marcos, Solola, and Quetzaltenango continue to rebuild, reports of injuries, disappearances, and deaths increase. Thankfully, Guatemala Sister Parish members were fortunate and were not directly affected by the earthquake.  Many members, however, are concerned about their fellow Guatemalans and extended family members. The hardest-hit areas are Quetzaltenango and San Marcos. The Sister Parish organization and its members will continue to pray for and support the communities in need here in Guatemala.