Guatemala
Mud Slide Angel
Two
days after prayer and fasting on October 12th I boarded planes
and headed Southward to Central America. My window seat gave
a beautiful view of the mountains and oceans below along with
a special quiet time of reflection on what would lie ahead.
I was grateful for the special time to prepare my heart and
soul to stay open for acceptance of the future challenges I
would experience. I knew this airport like the wrinkles on my
hand. Even so, I could hear my pulse rapidly beating during
the routine customs check with anticipation of going into an
area of unknowns. Somehow I knew this trip would be different.
The
weekend prior, three major American networks had shown a short
blurb of the devastation Hurricane Stan had left with mudslides
that wiped out five villages and buried alive over 3,000 people
in the country I have grown to love like family. Just a few
hours later the awful earthquake erupted in Northern India and
Pakistan and no further coverage of the Guatemalan mudslide
was evident.
My
thoughts jumped to our orphanage in Bangalore, Southern India
and I knew they were all safe. But, what about the people in
the country I was about to enter?
A
couple hours later after retrieving my lost luggage and realizing
the cool night air was setting in I changed my previous plan
and grabbed a taxi to find a hotel…..I was A.O.K. after
all, since my favorite hotel accepted every negotiation I presented
them even without prior reservations. I happily sent heavy luggage
up to the room and walked briskly to my hangout "the business
center" to let staff and family know I arrived safely.
That
is when it all began……My heart finally stopped pounding
three hours later after learning that the gentleman sitting
at the computer next to me was in the American news flash I
had seen back home. He and his precious wife holding their nursing
baby boy and a beautiful daughter aged 10 were on that mountain
side trying to hike up to the top because the only road leading
into the area was washed away. If one could make it to the top
with temperatures dropping rapidly, they would be rescued from
the rushing waters and mudslide to be taken safely by bus to
Guatemala City. This is when my heart stopped pounding…..I
realized God had sent another Guatemalan angel and I was to
be still and listen in awe for Words of Wisdom.
We
talked for hours in the business center and the next day I met
his family with open arms. This began a relationship of true
friendship that would later involve many of my Rotarian friends
both in Guatemala and back home in Florida along with my dear
Missionary friends in-country and my own family. Each passing
hour this project evolved into one of the largest humanitarian
efforts I have ever spearheaded single handedly. Did I say single
handedly? I really did not mean that. After regaining my composure
I realized that this is what God had been preparing me for.
Because my heart was open I witnessed miracle after miracle
after miracle for two and one-half weeks watching the progress
unfold and weave into a beautiful tapestry of God's love and
faithfulness pouring His Love out onto those He can call faithful.
He paved the way with hundreds of open doors that kept me running
wildly to keep up with His Awesome Plan. One thing I have learned……when
He moves……He moves FAST.
Remember
the little 10 yr old girl? She gave her own Bible to her mother
on the mountainside after the family Bible had been lost in
the flood. I had the pleasure of hearing this little girl pray
for her family, her country, her suffering community and to
give thanks to all of the people who are helping them to recover
after this tragedy. She melted my heart and washed away any
thoughts the word challenge could bring.
Before
returning to Florida arrangements had been made to deliver the
following items by helicopter to the Panajachel area of Attalian:
-
100
Spanish Bibles
- 100 Spanish New Testaments
- 100 Spanish Children's Bible Literature
- A Box of Antibiotics
- Rubber Boots for Children
- Shoes of all sizes under 10
- Water Well Plan including materials, labor and location
Missing
components to complete God's Perfect Plan.
-
Shipping
Costs to send the Antibiotics from Florida to Guatemala
- $4,000 to build the well and well housing
- More sturdy shoes for the whole town
My
sincere thanks to all of the gracious souls who have responded
without even asking and always in an expeditious manner.
The
letter and pictures shown will give you further understanding
of details space does not permit me to describe. We hope you
can help us to finish the Mud Slide Angel project and will react
quickly to help these hurting survivors get back on their feet.
Barbara Alessandro
President
The following are excepts of a letter
written by Pastor Benjamin Meijer and Family, Masia Ministerio
de Restauracion Total. We feel you will get a better understanding
of the needs if you hear it from those within the community.
"Even
though we currently do not know each other we are of the same
blood and family of Christ and I believe it is Him who has touched
your heart to give a response to out plea. On behalf of the
church, my family and I would like to thank you from the bottom
of our hearts. You cannot imagine the joy I felt in reading
your response to much prayer and fasting."
"It has now been 16 days we have prayed and asked for help
from the local government for food and clothing. We, amongst
others have not received any help at all. We began to pray to
the Lord to send help from elsewhere and maybe with the blessing
of Christ we would receive a reply. (through you) Most are still
in shelters due to the fact they no longer have jobs, or those
who grow crops, nor do they have money to reestablish themselves"
Pastor Benjamin Meijer
Masia Ministerio de Restauracioin Total
For
More details on the region please click the following link:
www.atitlanhelp.org
(you may right click and choose
open in new window if you do not wish to leave our site)
"This
was the worst local catastrophe experienced in the lifetime
of anyone living here."
Richard Morgan Szybist -Panajachel resident-
