URGENT: Prayers Needed!

Dear Family and Friends,

16 people from the Cochabamba Church of Christ (Bolivia, SA) were on their way to a youth retreat when their bus went over the edge of the road and fell 70-100 yards. The bus, driver and assistant had been contracted for the trip. Of the group, there were 12 teens and four adults. As of last word, three teenage girls died in the crash. Two other people are in serious condition. Below is a listing of those injured and their current condition as of 11:00 a.m. on July 1, 2009. Please keep these dear loved ones and their families in your prayers. These families are in a great deal of suffering. They will continue to struggle with the tragedy, loss of life and financial burden for medical care. Read below for more information about how you can help.

Medical Update as of 11:00 a.m. on July 1, 2009:
Adults:

• Josh Marcum has possible broken ribs and is still hospitalized.
• JD Sandoval has a compression fracture of a disc. He is in a lot of pain.
• Rachael Sandoval (JD's wife) has cuts and bruises but is out of the hospital.
• Miguel Vargas is in a coma and not responsive.

Teens:

• Rebeca Chavez (Pedro's daughter) has major leg injuries and is planning to go into surgery today.
• Three teenage girls passed away in the accident:
  ~ Belen Vargas (We believe that Belen and Dina are cousins.)
  ~ Dina Vargas
  ~ Ariana Lastra
• Other teens received medical care but have been released

How you can help:
First of all, prayer is what is needed most at this time. Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength. Please pray, also, for physical healing especially for Miguel and Rebecca who are in critical condition.

Many of our brothers and sisters in Cochabamba are poor and cannot afford to pay for the medical treatment. Miguel, who is in a coma and has already lost his daughter Belen in this tragedy, has two other children at home who will need care. This family has suffered tremendously over the past two years. Miguel's wife and the children's mother past away two years ago. If there is any way that you could offer some help to these suffering families please send a check to the address below with "CBBA YOUTH" in the memo line:

Austin Avenue Church of Christ
1020 Austin Avenue
Brownwood, TX 76801

or if you prefer Paypal you can send your help electronically: