(13th Sept 07) Rev. Rugun Pakpahan, a pastor of the Christian Protestant Church in Mentawai, in Padang, West Sumatra appeals for prayers in a series of SMS: "Pray for us. All of us very afraid. I hear many homes and churches were destroyed in Sikakap." Sikakap is the main town in the southern most island of Mentawai, which is closest to the epicenter of yesterday's earthquake.

Rugun and her family are currently moving out of their home which is right next to a road skirting the seashore. Their home is also used as a dormitory for Mentawai students in Padang and the worship center for the GKPM there. Many others have evacuated their homes.

The GKPM has coordinated with YTBI which has sent IDR 10.000.000 to purchase tents and food. Supplies will be shipped to Sikakap tomorrow as no boats are available today. YTBI stands for "Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia", an Indonesian non-governmental organisation active in relief and rehabilitation work.

Quakes were reported in Gunong Sitoli (Nias) and Tarutung yesterday but no major damage has been reported there. So far no deaths have been reported by our church sources.

There are no telephone connections to Mentawai, so far communication has been carried on via SMS and calls to mobile phones. The lack of electricity is a problem as the phones cannot be charged.

More information is expected later in the day as the government is calling a meeting. (SLB)