Testimonies still intact
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PISCO, PERU
Earthquakes can topple homes, buckle roads and, sadly, claim lives by the hundreds of thousands. But even the strongest temblor can't, by itself, destroy testimonies, rattle hope or level a Christlike impulse to look forward to better days while serving others.
Fernanda Palomino knows well a natural disaster's capacity to forever change lives. On Aug. 15, 2007, a massive magnitude 8.0 quake struck her neighborhood and several other communities in western Peru. Hundreds died and thousands of others — including Sister Palomino — lost much or all of their homes. Sister Palomino surely grieved for those who perished in the quake. She was saddened to see much of her own home reduced to adobe dust and rubble. But her spirits never wavered. Days after the rumblings stopped, Sister Palomino was found outside the ruins of her home with her fellow Relief Society sisters cooking a communal soup that would feed hungry neighbors in need of a hot, comforting meal.
That day she greeted all who passed by with a broad smile. Now, more than two years later, that smile sparkles as she welcomes visitors to her new home. Her house was built as part of a large-scale building project in western Peru sponsored by the Church that has allowed thousands of members left homeless by the quake to live in sturdy, seismic-resistant homes. Some 349 homes have been completed with materials and guidance provided by the Church. Homeowners such as Sister Palomino and their fellow members and friends provided the muscle, sweat and labor.
"The project has been a beautiful thing," said Jeronimo Gutierrez as he points out to visitors the reinforced walls and foundation of the new house where he resides with his wife, Carmen, and their two sons. The Gutierrez home is small but sturdy. It won't be mistaken for a mansion — but the structure offers the family shelter and priceless peace of mind. Brother and Sister Gutierrez and the boys have already enjoyed several family home evenings where they've discussed gratitude, service, hope and other gospel principles that seem as much a part of their home as concrete, brick and steel.
Each new home is built on a reinforced foundation and includes beams, columns and roofs fortified with multiple rows of rebar. The home-building project commenced some two years ago after senior missionaries with professional construction and finance backgrounds were called to Peru to help oversee the building efforts. They were joined by local engineers who helped ensure each of the new homes adhered to strict design standards to make them as seismic-proof as possible.
Beyond the blueprints, construction materials and professional oversight, "this was spiritual work," said LDS engineer Rolando Ramirez de Castilla.
"We were not just building houses — this was about building Latter-day Saints," said Alan Layton, one of the senior missionaries involved in the project who now presides over the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple
Indeed, Peru's home-building project was first and foremost a priesthood effort, executed under the direction of Elder Marcus B. Nash, a Seventy and president of the South America West Area. The project was developed to rebuild homes and quake-damaged spirits. Four guiding principles anchored the project: integrity, gratitude, hard work and service.
Bishops, branch presidents and other local priesthood leaders identified the families that would participate in the project. To be eligible, a member family had to own the parcel of land where they had lost their home. They also could not be living in "red zones" — geographical regions classified by high seismic instability.
Beneficiaries call their new houses a "daily blessing."
"I feel so much gratitude to be able to live in a home such as this — I have learned to have confidence in the Lord," said Chincha member Wenceslao Conde.
The project, added President Layton, was made possible by the generosity and donations of members worldwide. Thanks to such contributions, "350 families now have a safe place to live."
Brother Conde's spirits were severely tested on Aug. 15, 2007. He spent the hours prior to the quake mourning the death of his mother. He and his family were returning from the burial service when the ground began shaking violently. "When we reached our home, we found all the walls had been destroyed. We were so scared," he said.
The quake exacted a deadly toll on his neighborhood. A woman and her young daughter who lived next door to the Condes were both killed in the rumblings. Amidst the panic and grief of the day, Brother Conde's thoughts turned to the members he served as the president of the Balconcito Branch in Chincha. For a month and a half, he would shepherd his fellow, quake-weary members while living with his family in a tent pitched outside the local stake center.
Brother Conde would find strength in the faith of his wife, Pamela, and his two young children, Melany and Parley. In his April 2009 general conference address, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke of the Conde family's gospel fortitude:
"Four days after the earthquake, [Elder Nash] was in Chincha helping to coordinate the Church's relief efforts there and met President Conde. As they talked about the destruction that had occurred and what was being done to help the victims, Sister Conde approached carrying one of her small children. Elder Nash asked Sister Conde how her children were. With a smile, she replied that through the goodness of God, they were all safe and well. He asked about the Condes' home.
"'It's gone,' she said simply.
"'What about your belongings?' he inquired.
"'Everything was buried in the rubble of our home,' Sister Conde replied.
"'And yet,' Elder Nash noted, 'you are smiling as we talk.'
" 'Yes,' she said, 'I have prayed and I am at peace. We have all we need. We have each other, we have our children, we are sealed in the temple, we have this marvelous Church and we have the Lord. We can build again with the Lord's help.' "
Sister Conde's faith would be rewarded. They have built again. The family lives in a modest two-level house constructed as part of the Church's home rebuilding program in Peru.
The rebuilding of western Peru has stretched beyond members who lost their homes. A small placard can be found near the entrance of Pisco's San Miguel School. The placard pays tribute to the Church and its efforts to rebuild the school after it was all but demolished in the quake. Today, children in the area are being educated in a sturdy two-winged, red-walled school built by the Church.
"The students are proud to call San Miguel their school," said administrator Juan Francisco Murguia, before expressing his gratitude to the Church and its members.
The walls of Rosa Maurtua's new house in Pisco have been painted in bright, festive colors. It's an apt design decision. Each day, Sister Maurtua studies her home's sturdy walls and roof and relishes the goodness she has witnessed since the historic quake claimed her home.
"It's a marvelous thing," she said. "I know that the Lord loves us and doesn't abandon us. I never thought I could be so blessed."
