Earthquake devastates El Salvador
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — On Jan. 13 the earth shook here in Central America.
El Salvador is a country filled with mountains and valleys, and those who live here are accustomed to the occasional rocking of earth and grinding of stone. So when Bishop Francisco Raymundo of the Las Palmeras Ward, La Libertad El Salvador Stake, first felt the earth shaking he did not want to believe it was an earthquake, but when he saw cars bouncing up and down and walls collapsing under the street he knew this earthquake would be deadly.
The first thing he did was return home and ensure his family and home were safe. They were. Next, he mobilized the priesthood brethren. He asked that every member be visited and that they report back on every need. Because the roads were filled with rubble, Bishop Raymundo knew his car would be useless, so he borrowed a bicycle from a neighbor and began to ride from house to house to evaluate the damage and to speak with the families in his ward.
More than 600 people were killed in the earthquake and an additional 4,000 lost their homes. So far, three members of the Church are known to have died and 11 others are unaccounted for and presumed dead. More than 40 members have lost their homes, and an estimated 200 to 300 member homes were damaged, as well. No missionaries were harmed in the earthquake.
Among those Bishop Raymundo visited was the Arriola family. They lived in a large but modest home that housed 30 members of their extended family. When Bishop Raymundo entered the house he saw that the ceiling had fallen and several walls were caving in upon the dwelling of grandparents, uncles, nieces, children, parents and in-laws. Bishop Raymundo suggested that they spend the night in the LDS meetinghouse, but because the Arriolas had heard on the radio that bands of thieves were stealing from abandoned houses they refused to leave.
The bishop continued on bicycle until every member of his ward had been accounted for. He was grateful and relieved to discover that although many houses had been damaged none of the members of his ward had been seriously hurt.
The following evening a hard aftershock rocked the country, causing a wall in the Arriola home to crumble. That was enough for them. Even though it was 11:30 p.m., they called the bishop and asked if they could stay at the meetinghouse. The bishop not only told them it was available, but made trip after trip escorting all 30 members of the family to safety. It was 2:30 a.m. when the last of the Arriolas were settled.
One of the areas hardest hit is called Las Colinas, a community of modest homes that huddle tightly together at the base of a tall hill only a few kilometers from the capital city, San Salvador. When the earth began to shake, half of the mountain dislodged, causing an avalanche of earth that thundered down the mountainside sweeping everything in its path underneath more than 20 feet of dirt and rock.
Elder Burt Sheffer of Orem, Utah, has been serving as a missionary in El Salvador for a year. He was one of the first to arrive at Las Colinas.
"I saw a woman with a pick in her hand digging at the earth," he said. "She was crying and saying over and over, 'My children, my children.' "
She had left her home for only a few minutes to run an errand and when she returned her house had been swept under the debris of the mountain. Elder Sheffer and his companion worked alongside her, but the deeper they dug the more they realized her house was no longer there. Elder Sheffer said he will never forget the woman's voice as she wept — anguished tears falling down her cheeks — pleading for her children to return to her.
Herbert Alvarado, president of the La Libertad Stake, immediately began trying to contact his 10 bishops and branch presidents. He asked that every family be visited and given blessings of comfort. The following day, President Alvarado requested that those members who could do so donate clothing, food and medicine to families who had lost their homes.
Already, families in El Salvador are responding.
Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy and president of the Central America Area traveled to El Salvador the day after the earthquake. He assembled the priesthood brethren and spoke of the tragedy that had saddened the lives of so many. In addition, he spoke of the great opportunities that lay before the saints in El Salvador to follow the example of the Savior in seeking out those who suffer and who mourn and to assist them in their time of need.
"When the Son of God lived on the earth He often spent time among those in need; He had compassion for those who suffered and He healed them and comforted them," Elder Robbins said.
"Remember the 10 lepers who were healed and only one of them returned to thank Him who had granted the life-changing miracle. Yet the Savior did not regret healing the other nine, and neither should we worry if we do not receive thanks for what we do.
"We do not seek to solve people's problems," he continued. "We seek to help them in such a way so that they are strengthened to the point that they can solve their own problems; thus they are better able to help others in need."
Because stores remained open and supplies relatively unaffected, the Church will primarily use resources within the country to help members in need. (For suggestions on how members can help, please refer to article above.)
Members of the Church, as well as full-time missionaries, have been working long hours lending help to those in need. Sister Brook Wilkinson of Ogden, Utah, was one of more than 20 missionaries working shoulder-to-shoulder with soldiers of the El Salvador army as part of a "bucket brigade" in an effort to dig out homes that had been covered in the landslide.
"You love these people so much," she said as she passed a bucket filled with earth to her companion, Sister Lora Funk of American Fork, Utah. "It breaks your heart to see them suffer so."
Roberto Cajas, president of the El Salvador San Salvador West Mission, believes members of the Church are better able to cope with events such as this.
"The gospel makes the tragic less tragic," he said. "It lends to those who believe it and live it peace, tranquility and serenity."
Sister Rosa Garcia de Arriola, a member of 10 years, knows something of the adversities of life. One year ago she lost her leg to diabetes; days ago she lost her home and most of her possessions to the earthquake.
"I thank God we are alive," she said as she tended to her sick mother. "I know the Lord is with us and is watching over us. Although we are sad to have lost our home, we are confident the Lord will bless us and give us the strength to rebuild it."
It is precisely that faith in God that will continue to bless the lives of members of the Church in El Salvador.
