Update – June 14, 2018

Hey friends.  Thanks to all of you that have sent notes of encouragement and donated towards the volcanic eruption that happened less than two weeks ago.  It is still hard for me to fathom that it was just 11 days ago that the sky turned dark and began raining ash as Cooper and I were returning home from Guatemala City.  That trip home is an experience I will never forget.

It wasn’t until later that day that we began to understand the magnitude of what had occurred.  The past 11 days have been difficult.  There is so much help that is needed, but unfortunately there was very little we could do in those early days.  Right now, each of the relief centers is being adequately equipped with the necessary water, food, clothes, medicines, etc.  However, these supplies aren’t always getting distributed to the people who need it.  And there is evidence that authorities are stealing these supplies for themselves.

There are so many that have died and many more that are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.  Over the past week, we began working with a local pastor who knew several families in the town of San Miguel Los Lotes that were impacted by the eruption and resulting lava flow.  This village was located about 12 miles from our home.  This pastor and his church are mobilizing to provide immediate relief and recovery assistance to as many families as possible.

Last week I learned there were six pastors in the village of Los Lotes.  Four of them died, including one pastor that died along with his entire congregation during their service on Sunday afternoon.  In the past few days, I had the privilege of meeting these pastors.  One of them came to my house and the other I visited in a shelter.

As we talked to them and learned about them and their families, it has really given us a different perspective on this tragedy.  Before, it was the heartbreaking photos and videos in the aftermath of the destruction.  But, now, we know the names of the families affected – and we have looked them in the eyes and have seen the loss, grief, and fear.  We have cried and prayed with them.

So, now, we feel we have a better sense of how to move forward.  We know that we can’t swoop in and fix everything.  But, we can do something – so with the assistance of our pastor from our home church in Arcadia, Indiana we will do something specifically for these pastor two families.  In addition to these two families, we will also help four additional families we learned about two days ago.

Over the next two weeks, I will be working on the details of a plan to walk alongside these families that are currently living in shelters, churches and with extended family.  The families have lost every material possession they own…including their land which they will not be allowed to return to.  They are completely starting over and we plan to be with them over the coming weeks and months as they search for a new normal.

We have already passed out underwear, school supplies and toiletries, but there is so much more that is needed.  If you would like to help us bless these families, we would love to have you stand with us.

Summary of the needs of the current 6 families we are helping:

  • Mattresses

  • School fees for students

  • School Supplies/Backpacks

  • Material for new temporary housing

  • Kitchen supplies

  • Water Filters

  • Stoves

  • Basic medical treatment

  • Much more

If you would like to help us, please consider donating any amount to our ministry.  Over the coming weeks I will be posting updates to social media (Facebook & Instagram) and at www.handsofgrace.net/volcano.  100% of donations to our “Volcano Relief & Recovery” fund will go directly to those impacted by the volcano.

Here are three ways to participate: