April 5, 2010
Special Bulletin: Earthquake in Baja California, Mexico
Rick Barnes, International Ministries missionary. 
 
 
As you probably have heard, the northern Baja California region of Mexico and the southern part of California, USA experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake about 3:40 pm Pacific time, yesterday, April 4. The quake was centered approximately 37 miles southeast of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, and approximately 50 miles southeast of El Centro, California, USA.  While according to seismologists this quake was roughly double the strength of the one experienced in Haiti, there has been, as of now, only one confirmed death due to the collapse of a building. Another person was killed in Mexicali when, in the evacuation of his house, he ran into the street and was killed by an oncoming motorist. In El Centro, CA, a person was hit in the head by a falling business sign, and is now listed in critical condition. There have been quotes of around 140 persons injured, mostly due to cuts and scrapes. Aftershocks have continued ever since the quake until this moment, and are expected to continue for some time to come, though lessening in intensity and frequency over time. The business district of Calexico, CA, has been closed, due to widespread damage, and the downtown port of entry on the US side in Calexico has been closed until further notice, apparently due to damage suffered in the port building. For general coverage, I refer you to one of the major news networks. For technical aspects of the quake and its aftershocks, I refer you the United States Geological Survey at tohttp://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/116-33.htm
 
Despite the intensity of the quake, we have very good news to report. I went to Mexicali this morning to survey the damage, literally with a hardhat in the truck. None of the buildings I visited had any structural damage. Primera (First Baptist Church), El Buen Samaritano, the Seminary, the mission building at La Ladrillera, and Ebenezer Baptist church all were structurally sound with minimal evidence of the quake. El Buen Samaritano will have to rebuild part of a wall of a bathroom under construction. One of the brick ovens in La Ladrillera, made of bricks to be fired, collapsed, but they will be able to recover and fire the bricks. The bookshelves in the Seminary are a mess. But again, no damage other than minor and minimal. We have heard from those even closer to the epicenter, such as the churches in Quintana Roo, Reacomodo, and Nuevo Leon, as being ok. And the people are OK as well.
 
There has been damage. Many of the outlying roads are damaged, and there have been bridge collapses and some flooding due to breaks in canals. Electricity is being restored in Mexicali, with the parts of the grid with important buildings (hospitals, etc) receiving power first. But in my time in Mexicali today, the majority of the damage I saw was facades of buildings that have fallen. I did witness one house, probably abandoned for some time, that suffered a great deal of damage. And I did not go to inspect known areas of damage, such as a collapsed parking structure in downtown Mexicali, so as to stay out of the way of official business.
 
However seismologists have remarked with surprise at the lack of damage with such a significant quake. As a person of faith, I simply give thanks to God. There is no way to slice this cleanly, as to why Haiti and not Mexicali, and right now I don't have the mental energy to deal with this. But I do give thanks for what we have experienced.
 
And we as a family are alright as well. This has to be the most frightening thing I have ever experienced. We left the house when we realized the magnitude of the quake. We could see the whole house moving like a block of Jell-O, and our vehicles bouncing. We heard crashing, and the continuous roar of the quake. It seemed like hours, though I have heard reports of one minute in duration. But all we lost was some glassware, and apparently the hard disk to Mercy's computer.
 
The largest prayer concern I have now is the mental health of those who experienced the quake. Every time an aftershock comes, there is the surge of fear and adrenaline, not knowing what will be the intensity of the shock until it has passed. All through the night last night, we had aftershocks, with a 5.1 this morning. And even in the midst of writing this, we just had a 4.6, about 20 miles from us. Nerves are on end, not just in this household, but in every one I spoke with today.
 
We are so very grateful for those who have contacted us out of concern. We will continue to keep you informed. We have mentioned specific situations. If you feel led to help with them, feel free to contact us. As further needs emerge, we will let you know of those as well.
 
God Bless
Rick Barnes (and Mercy Gonzalez-Barnes)      

We just heard that some people in Guadalupe Victoria have lost their homes. Still waiting for more information. Please keep this small town in your prayers.