Covenant News

Covenanters Safe Following Eruption of Quito Volcano

QUITO, ECUADOR (November 4, 2002) - A volcano 60 miles northeast of Quito has erupted twice in recent days, showering the area with white ash that forced the Quito airport to close and Covenant Bible College-Ecuador to evacuate students, Covenant News Service has learned.

No injuries have been reported from the eruption of the 11,775-foot Reventador and there are no reported casualties from lava or rockslides. However, city health officials have warned the city's 1.4 million inhabitants to stay indoors due to the air pollution from the white ash. Authorities also are concerned that the ash might contaminate drinking water.

The CBC-Ecuador community is praying for their students and surrounding community as they adjust to recent troubles. Classes were cancelled today and may be cancelled later into the week, although there are no reports of injuries to CBC students, staff or nearby missionaries. The accompanying photo shows three students wearing scarves to protect against the volcanic ash that is blanketing the area.

"Everyone is fine, but our hearts are burdened for those who do not have warm, safe homes and food," said Margie Swenson, missionary in Ecuador and a staff member at CBC-Ecuador. "The first eruption was yesterday with a second eruption this morning. The students were moved away from campus to the homes of faculty members. We have eight students and a dean with us, along with Wendy and Dave Mark, regional coordinators for Latin America (Department of World Mission), who are here for a number of meetings. The house is full and we are having a great time."

Executive Director Todd Slechta, in a memo to parents of students at the campus, explained the reasons for moving students to faculty housing. He noted that the homes of faculty members tend to be more tightly sealed, helping to prevent ash from penetrating, and the move also eliminates the need for students to move between dorms and the campus cafeteria for meals.

"I guess the questions for us are when we will be able to get back to campus and start the clean up process," Swenson said. "Right now there is no electricity on campus and therefore no water. It appears to us that there are rolling blackouts happening. Not a terribly serious situation, but definitely an inconvenience."

Reventador has erupted 24 times since 1541 - the last eruption was January 1976, according to www.VolcanoWorld.org, an Internet volcano web page from the University of North Dakota.

More information will be posted on this Evangelical Covenant Church news site as it becomes available.

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