SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A team from the Greater Portland Christian School including students studying in Ecuador are safe, according to the South Portland school’s Facebook page.
The earthquake struck Saturday near the coast of Ecuador. Facebook posts from the school and a member of the school’s team said they suffered no injuries.
Reuters reported that the 7.8 magnitude quake struck off the Pacific coast and was felt around the Andean nation of 16 million people, causing panic as far away as the highland capital Quito and collapsing buildings and roads in a swath of western towns.
The death toll from Ecuador’s biggest earthquake in decades soared to at least 235 on Sunday as rescuers using tractors and bare hands hunted desperately for survivors, according to Reuters.
“Yesterday’s devotion was Rom. 12:15 and we were very proud of the kids for how they are putting that into practice,” a post from the Ecuador team reads. “We are all fine but one church family lost the house they were building. When the kids saw them at the church last night they took up an impromptu offering for the family. It was their own idea, and the family was very grateful. We want to remind the parents that we are all safe here and that since the Manta airport is open we will follow our original plans. News reports will show the worst damage but we are far from it. The church is praying for a revival, so please pray with them, AGAIN..WE ARE ALL SAFE AND SOUND!!!! We have to save our phone batteries just like in an ice storm in Maine, we all can understand that feeling. Please don’t worry about us, we will be home soon as planned.”