An initial grant of $7,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) emergency relief funds is being sent to the Latin American Baptist Women’s Union (UFBAL) after a massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific coast of this South American country on Saturday, April 16. The death toll as of April 20 stands at 525 people and some 2,500 people were injured, according to BBC News. The search for survivors continues. The Rev. Adalia Gutiérrez Lee, American Baptist International Ministries (IM) area director, said, “I spoke with UFBAL leadership about their needs after the earthquake. They are very grateful for our love, prayers and solidarity. They asked if OGHS can provide relief funds to purchase water, medicines, food, mattresses and other relief supplies in order to help the churches that have become shelters in Ecuador.” IM has no global workers in Ecuador at this time. UFBAL is one of the six continental unions that make up the Women’s Department of the Baptist World Alliance. The organization is now comprised of national women’s organizations from 24 conventions and unions in Latin America affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. According to BBC News, President Rafael Correa announced that the cost of rebuilding is likely to be in the billions of dollars. Correa described this as the biggest tragedy to hit Ecuador in the past seven decades. Additional relief is urgently needed. You may give through your church or mail a check to International Ministries, attn: OGHS-Ecuador Relief, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482. Write “OGHS-Ecuador Relief” on the memo line of your check.