Lows and Highs–and 56 Buckets!

Today, Wednesday, has been our third and final day in the shelter village, and it has been a day to remember! In an effort to meet the needs of all the families, we had a large group attending the health presentations in the morning and distributed a record 56 water buckets with filters in the late morning and afternoon!

Meanwhile, we had as many as 29 children jam-packed into a small room for Bible stories, songs, and activities. That quiet moment you see in the photo? It happened on Tuesday. Today’s crowd bounced off the walls and out the door before we could say a proper goodbye. Many of them did pop up here and there as we made our way around with the water filters, however.

The survivors’ stories were both heartwrenching and uplifting. We wept with the young woman whose two daughters, husband, and parents had all died in the disaster, leaving her alone. She had been spared only because she was at work outside the danger zone. A friend had sent her six-year-old daughter to stay with her to ease her sadness. Then there was the family of ten who were picked up by a bus and all survived, the daughter-in law only days away from delivering her baby. Many reported health problems when asked for prayer requests. Several quietly prayed along with our team members. One group ended the afternoon with a visit to a young Christian couple happily anticipating the birth of the son very soon. They don’t know where they will live when they must leave the shelter village, but God’s gift of new life fills them with joy.

Stories multiplied as buckets were delivered, with each household receiving instructions for cleaning the filters, a Gospel presentation, and prayer. Though there was much to accomplish in a short time, care was taken to listen to each recipient and offer such consolation as we could, pointing them to the Source of all comfort and hope.

On Thursday, we will also be serving El Fuego survivors, this time in the nearby town of Alotenango, where some have found either temporary or long-term housing. Please join us in giving thanks to God for the blessings shared this week, and pray for continued healing for these devastated people.