I stood in the bathroom preparing for a luncheon engagement when the floor started rolling. The washer downstairs repeatedly banged against the wall, confirming that I needed to get outside quickly. Earthquake! “Lord, keep us all protected,” I mouthed as I grabbed the rail of the stairs. I literally flew down stairs and ran to the front door. Parked in front of the door, my car bobbed like a boat over waves on a lake. The sounds around me were loud, as the buildings shifted and groaned under the strong movements of the earthquake. My heart rolled right along with everything else. Then it all stopped. Quietness set in until the initial shock passed, then everybody around me went into action. I persuaded my rubbery legs to function and entered the apartment to see what damage had been done. I had felt tremors in Guatemala several times, but this was an earthquake.
It amazed me how well-built the concrete block homes were. Everything in the apartment held together as if it had been gently rocked. Nothing broke, and the windows held firm. I thanked the Lord for His protection.
On January 13, 2001, the USGS reported that the 7.9 earthquake, on the Richter scale, had its epicenter off the coast of El Salvador. This devastating earthquake caused several landslides in El Salvador, killing hundreds of people and covering villages and homes. Eight people in Guatemala died as a result. The news said that this earthquake was the strongest in El Salvador since 1986. We lived about 148 miles from the devastation. After the main earthquake, the ground continued to convulse, with 660 after-shocks reported.
To add to the drama, the active volcano Pacaya boomed during the night, with huge columns of smoke pouring into the sky. I felt like we were in a scene right out of the Indiana Jones movie set.
We felt many of the after-shocks over the next several days. After the first night of several shakings, I slipped my clothes on as I prepared for bed. I didn’t want to be in my pajamas if I needed to make a hasty retreat outside. What I didn’t wear to bed, I put in a pile by the door to grab on my way out. I wanted to be prepared. I already had a small survival pack, but it enlarged greatly after this experience. I loaded up the trunk of the car with water and a food supply—just in case.
A week later, while at school, another big earthquake hit us with the epicenter in southern Mexico.The long florescent lights swung back and forth as I moved the kids to the inside wall, away from the windows. One of my students had a panic attack and started hyperventilating. Fortunately, the tremor lasted only a few seconds, because Tom* ran to the hall and hollered, “I can’t stand it, I’ve got to get out of here.” Another teacher covered for me while I took him outside to calm him down. We talked, and I prayed with him. However, with all of the earthquake activity that had been going on, he sank deeper into his state of fear. I encouraged him to come back into the classroom. He replied, “No way.”
“Tom, I’ll let you put your desk by the door, we’ll keep the door open, and you can see the outside door from where you sit.” After a few moments of thought, he agreed to do this. We entered the classroom, and I knew we needed to read Psalm 91 again and talk about the Lord’s protection. Peace settled upon Tom and the other students when they were reminded of the love the Lord shows them every day and that He is their Protector.
All of us experience a certain degree of fear at different points of our walk in this life. I may have reacted like Tom in the earlier years of my life, before I knew of the Lord’s love. Psalm 91 comforts me and is a favorite passage that reminds me of the peace that the Lord wants all of us to have. My heart still races when the ground moves, but knowing that the Lord has my hand helps me to feel peace and trust in Him. Another favorite reminder of His love is Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isn’t He awesome? Our Creator encourages us to have a personal relationship with Him in this life. I hope and pray we can hang onto that hand and not let go no matter what happens around us. It’s our refuge—a safe place with Him.
*Name has been changed.