(Photo courtesy Open Doors USA)
Central Asia (ODM) — Hundreds of people were killed when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Afghanistan rocked neighboring Pakistan and rattled buildings as far away as India on Monday.
Early today, there were reports that over 228 people were killed in Pakistan and more than 1,000 injured. In Afghanistan, at least 33 are dead and over 200 injured, according to the Associated Press. The Afghan death toll included a dozen girls who died in a stampede fleeing their school in Takhar Province.
“The devastation is going to be huge,” commented Fazi Din, a doctor in Peshawar, Pakistan. “It is very difficult to reach the far-flung villages.”
Many after-shocks have been felt in the quake zone. Internet and phones are down in many parts of Pakistan.
“There has been so much damage. I thought at first it was a terrorist attack; it sounded like the same sound when the rumbling started bringing down walls,” said a local Pakistani woman. “I look around me, and all I see is damage.
“Once again, Open Doors regional partners have been here with us; praying with us and ministering to us. Thank you for your love. Please keep praying.
“I thought these were things only found in horror movies. We are living once again in a horrific time.”
Open Doors partners on the ground request that we pray for them.
The following is a prayer shared by an Open Doors ministry partner:
Trusting You, Father of all.
May You, by Your own tender mercy, heal our broken lands and hurting people.
Be the strong tower for the homeless,
The healer for the injured,
The provider for those who are in need,
The Prince of Peace for those in panic and confusion at this terrible hour of disaster.
Help us, O King, to be Your arms and feet, to share Your embrace and Your love and to weep with Your tears at this time.
Amen.
Praying !