Here I am back at my desk again after the India trip. Sitting in my comfortable study. But I feel very uncomfortable. I’m constantly thinking about our friends and colleagues in Peru. Willie and I have been in constant touch thinking about how we in the Vine Trust can make a small difference in the life of some forgotten street kid on the edge of an abyss.

By God’s grace our partners in Union Bublica are up for one of the biggest challenges ever. To try and get food to the vulnerable street boys of Ica. This may prove more difficult than sailing a boat across the Atlantic. For these children will be the least known and loved. Somewhere tonight a child will be hiding believing the world has come to an end. And it may have for him.

On Wednesday evening an earthquake hit the country of Peru causing a great deal of damage hundreds have been killed. The cities of Pisco, Ica and Chincha Alta in the Ica Region, and San Vicente de Cañete in the Lima Region were most affected. Paul Clark told me everyone was afraid. The earthquake was felt in the capital Lima, where the quake broke windows in downtown sectors of the city, as well as various other Peruvian cities. Aftershocks of magnitude 5.0 or greater have been recorded.[8][9]

The Vine Trust has sprung into action and I’m happy to say that we have released $150,000 for our partners in Union Bublica to use in helping in the emergency relief for abandoned children in Ica and the surrounding area and to accelerate the construction of the Ica street children’s centre which was due for completion in October 2008. Thanks to the generosity of Coupar Old Parish Church

The immediate aim will be to establish four feeding centres aimed particularly at abandoned and orphan children who will be least well placed to cope with this tragedy whilst also supporting the wider community at this time.

I believe that the plan is to include some of the older street boys to become involved in the whole aid relief programme. So boys who were once classed as evil drug addicted demons will now be seen as angels of mercy offering food and shelter to children who have been displaced by this horrific incident. Please pray for Paul Clark and his team as they work night and day to bring relief to some of these precious children. In an e-mail i received from Paul this afternoon he writes,”How can I express my personal gratitude, and through me, that of hundreds of destititute Peruvians for the amazing offer I just heard about from Willie!

We are on the move. No time can be wasted. The situation in Ica is desperate. A prison collapsed and over 600 prisoners, mostly thieves escaped. As you can imagine, vandalism is rife. Buses and trucks heading for the area are being attacked and robbed. But that will not deter us. Remember Luther’s great hymn – A Mighty Fortress is our God. Indeed, the enemy will not prevail. The UB/VT venture into a scene more complex than I here can explain will not be deterred.” If you are reading this and would like to help make your donation on The Vine Trust Web Page.