In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Nepal's Jajarkot district, a rural municipality situated at the epicenter experienced a miraculous escape from human casualties. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4, struck near the Ramidanda village in Barekot Rural Municipality just before midnight on a Friday.

While the earthquake caused massive physical damage to houses and public infrastructure, this particular rural municipality avoided any reported deaths as of Saturday evening, in stark contrast to the 157 lives lost in other parts of the district and neighboring Rukum West. The chairperson of the rural municipality, Bir Bahadur Giri, described the scene as "difficult to believe" given the extent of damage to buildings. Some residents attribute their survival to divine intervention.

Although five people in the municipality sustained injuries, none were reported dead. The district administration office confirmed the absence of casualties in Barekot Rural Municipality despite the earthquake's epicenter being located there.

Experts noted that the epicenter doesn't necessarily experience more physical damage than other locations during earthquakes, but it is indeed rare and almost miraculous for an epicenter to avoid human casualties in such a significant quake. Factors such as the location of the fault line and the strength of buildings contribute to the scale of damage during earthquakes.

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Pray: giving thanks for sparing lives in Nepal's earthquake. Your protection is our refuge. (Psalm 46:1)"

Pray: for comfort and strength for those affected by the earthquake. May they find hope in You. (Isaiah 41:10)"

Pray: for the relief agencies and medical staff who are working to bring support and assistance to the areas that have been more seriously affected. (Psalm 121: 1-2)

On October 25, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Lewiston, Maine, as a shooter named Robert Card, aged 40, unleashed a violent rampage. The first shooting occurred at Just-In-Time Recreation, a local bowling alley during a youth league event. Card used a semi-automatic rifle with an extended magazine, resulting in the death of seven individuals.

Shortly thereafter, at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, located 4 miles away, another shooting took place, claiming the lives of eight individuals, with three more succumbing to their injuries later in the hospital. This heart-wrenching event left a total of eighteen people dead and thirteen others injured.

A manhunt for Card began, and his abandoned vehicle was discovered near the Androscoggin River in Lisbon, sparking a widespread search effort with the assistance of federal agencies. An arrest warrant was issued for Card, charging him with eight counts of murder. Police surrounded a house in Bowdoin while executing a search warrant.

The search for Card extended into the river, where dive teams, sonar, and remotely operated underwater vehicles were employed. Eventually, on October 27, Card was found dead near his former workplace, a recycling center in Lisbon, having apparently taken his own life.

This tragic event shook the community, as the victims, ranging from ages 14 to 76, were identified. Card, a former sergeant first class in the United States Army Reserve, left behind a trail of devastation, leaving the community to grapple with grief and loss.

Mass shootings are an ongoing issue in the USA, with 621 people killed, 2,126 injured in 520 separate recorded incidents to date in 2023. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the US Constitution. Gun sales have risen steadily, peaking during the pandemic.

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Pray: Father, comfort and strengthen the grieving hearts in Lewiston. Be their refuge and solace. (Psalm 34:18)"

Pray: bring healing to the wounded and peace to the broken community. Let your light shine in the darkness. (Psalm 147:3)"

Pray: for the means to an end of this senseless violence. May your love and grace prevail. (Matthew 5:9)