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Though most of you know I’m from Bolivia, my mom’s family is from Peru. We just received contact from my cousin who relates the following.

"I was in our family room and the baby was in the other room with his nanny. Suddenly the items in the china cabinet began to rattle and the pictures on the wall dropped to the floor. Then we heard glass shattering.

Our six-year old was with his nanny on the second floor. He began to cry at the noise. So I grabbed the baby in my arms and dashed upstairs. When we tried to come back down, the stairway shook like piano keys in an animated movie. It was the most frightening thing I’ve ever seen.

We were forced to stay upstairs, huddled waiting for the rest of the tremors to subside. I never prayed harder in my life."

Though God protected all my family in Lima, thousands are suffering the devastation from nature’s growl that violently shook the ocean floor. Its ripple effect reached land and agitated enough to crumble 80 percent of small towns located 140 miles from the capital of Lima.

Right now, aunts and uncles are glued to TV screens taking in the details of the aftermath recounts. Reports of faulty safety precautions, comments about casualties and assessments of medical attention deepen the anguish.

A fact that would shock our country remains an accepted reality in Peru: medical attention in these remote areas is scarce—two doctors for every 1,000 residents.

Earthquakes, war, hurricanes and violence surges fear in us. And while still trembling from its effect, the question still stirs in our hearts: How Can God allow this to happen?

Dr. Charles Stanley (In Touch Ministries - www.intouch.org) explains better than I ever could:

1 Corinthians 13:12: "It's 100 percent true that God is good and that He's in control. But these facts don't prevent bad things from happening. It's within the Lord's power to give everyone a perfect life, but that wouldn't be in our best interest. Trials and suffering often drive people to God. For those of us who are believers, God uses harsh circumstances to mature our faith and conform us to the image of His Son. Being made perfect and pleasing to our Father is indeed in our best interest.

In His knowledge and wisdom, God may allow disaster and evil to touch our lives so we can grow from the experience. Whether it's in compassion, trust, or knowledge, growth is good. If we could peek behind the scenes of our life, we'd see the Lord in control and working toward His ultimate purpose for us.

Romans 8:28 affirms this when it says, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." On occasion, we see immediate positive results from trials. But other times, we must wait months, years, or even until we reach heaven to fully understand what God was doing in those difficult circumstances.

Suffering and evil are inevitable parts of a fallen world. But we can be sure that God is in control of the universe, including the tiny corner we occupy. When He permits bad things to happen, we can be sure He will continue to provide comfort and guidance. He will shape us into the people He wants us to be."

(Janet): I’d never would have asked for the agonizing episodes in my life. But had they not taken place, I’ wouldn’t know how to identify with those who might be shaking in an emotional earthquake.

So I changed my job description for life: to love Him, and love Him some more.

Trying to understand events around us takes too much energy. The effort drains my brain, but loving the Lord renews my reassurance.

And that is my prayer for you—may your heart be filled with confidence and your mind empty of worry.

Janet

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