Please Pray...

There was an earthquake very near to where I was in the jungle in Ecuador on Thursday.  It registered a 7.1 magnitude on the richter scale.  I've sent out emails to make sure everyone is okay (the news said there wasn't much damage reported, but then again the jungle communities aren't exactly on the radar), and haven't gotten any responses as of yet.  Please pray.

I was called frantically last week by my friend, Pedro, from Bolivia.  It seems that the city where I spent my last 2-3 months (Potosi) has been on a strike, protest, and everything shut down since July 29th.  There is a shortage of water, food, etc. as there are no buses, cars, planes, trains allowed in or out of the city/region.  All restaurants, markets, internet cafes, phone booths, etc. have been closed and remain so.  Many tourists were also stranded (now most have been evacuated).  My friends are suffering.  The Bolivian government seems to be following the footsteps of Venezuelan Chavez and that scares me.  The U.S. has recommended no travel to/from Bolivia as well as pulled out all Peace Corps and Aide workers.  Please pray.

By the way, that means I can NOT in good conscience send the young lady from Oklahoma (the one who was going to take my spot and continue the "program" that I started there) or encourage her travel, so on my selfish (and not so selfish... it's for the students after all) behalf I am frustrated and saddened by all of these recent happenings.
God blessed me, kept me safe, and out of harm's way countless times on my journey and now more than ever I can thank Him for that, but also ask/beg that he keep my friends under his watchful eye as well.

Thanks for your prayers!
Kate