Earthquake strikes Central Italy

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 - 4:03 PM CST

Monday morning at 3:32 a.m. local time (8:32 p.m. Sunday, Central Daylight Time), a magnitude 6.3 earthquake caused devastation in L'Aquila in Central Italy. The city of about 73,000 people had the stillness of its early morning hours shattered as thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed, many hundreds of people were injured and at least 150 people were reported killed in the region by the effects of the quake.

Located about 60 miles northeast of Rome, many of L'Aquila's ancient buildings suffered significant damage from the quake, including the Assemblies of God church, which was totally destroyed.

According to AGWM Missionary Terry Peretti, the AG church was located in a former Catholic church built in the 1500s near the heart of the city. Now, Peretti says, "The only thing that is left is a pile of rubble."

However, the difficult news gets worse for AG Pastor Robert Vella and his congregation, as among the quake's victims was a five-year-old boy who attended the church.

Mundis

Regional director, Greg Mundis, says, "We join with our Italian brothers and sisters of the Assemblies of God who are mourning the loss of life, destruction of the church building and for the displaced inhabitants of the city of L'Aquila. We stand in solidarity with them in prayer for the comfort of God to be manifested in the situation."

According to reports, L'Aquila was not the only city to suffer from the effects of the quake, as more than 20 cities have reported loss due to the quake, including Tormintarte, Fossa, Onna and Poggio Picenze. With many homes and businesses severely damaged or destroyed, along with the challenge of the rescue efforts is the sheltering of the tens of thousands of newly homeless.

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said a tent city was being set up to accommodate survivors whose homes were ruined in the disaster. However, the total devastation won't be known until rescue crews can reach those in outlying areas.

"AG World Missions has already advanced funds through the Europe Regional Office to the Assemblies of God in Italy and Convoy of Hope Europe is also providing help," says AGWM Communications Director Randy Hurst. "The Assemblies of God in Italy has a reputation for sacrificial giving - in fact, they were a major giver to AG World Missions' 2004 tsunami relief efforts."

"We believe that somehow, as we respond to this tragedy, the L'Aquilani people - and many others - will be open to the gospel," missionary Terry Peretti says.