Guatemala Mudslide Update

Pastor Luis is in Guatemala. He, Poppy, Immer, and Tony have delivered around Q25,000 [US $3,700] of supplies in part of the Pacific Coast area where he will be preaching tonight. They had two pick-up trucks packed full with food, water, small gas burners, etc. The water is 6-7 feet deep in places and they were not able to drive the trucks all the way in. Instead, they had to move the supplies onto carts pulled by horses. Whenever people saw them, they begged for food. Pastor Luis said one young boy followed them for at least two miles begging for food for his family and when they got to a place where there was a drier spot, they gave him food. Pastor Luis was beyond sad when I talked with him. He said he could not believe just how bad it really is there and that he is hearing that overall conditions are worse there in the Pacific Coast area than at the lake. The church where he will be preaching tonight is expecting a large turnout of people. We pray that souls will come to Christ tonight.

Tomorrow morning, they will be leaving early to go back to Guatemala City. Pastor Luis said they have another Q30,000 of supplies at Delmi and Carlos' house. These supplies are to go to the lake area. He thinks he will have to take a helicopter to San Pedro. The only way to get from Solola to Panajachel is to get in a huge basket that is attached to a cable and go down the side of the mountain because the road is not yet cleared. At this point there is still no gas for the boats to cross the lake. The government is trying to get supplies in to Panajachel and to the other villages around the lake. There are reports of people fighting for the food and other supplies as they are being delivered. The smell from the mud and muck
alone is really bad.

We know for sure that Pastor Lucas from San Juan and Pastor Chappe from San Marcos have lost their homes and all their belongings. Much of San Marcos and San Juan no longer exist. Hopefully I will have more information to send you either tomorrow or Thursday on these villages and the other areas we have ministered in around the lake.

Pastor Luis said if any of you can get teams together to help out in the Pacific Coast area or the lake area in the coming months, the need is going to be great. Please start praying now about how you can help. If you can bring or be a part of a team, that would be wonderful. If you can send donations, that would be wonderful. Whatever you can do and feel led to do, we appreciate your efforts. We know you are all praying for our friends in Guatemala and those prayers are greatly appreciated. As soon as Pastor Luis is back and we can get word out about getting teams in to help, we will let you know. I hope to hear from Pastor Luis after his visit to the lake and will send you another update on conditions there. If you can send a
contribution, please make your check out to Impacto, in the memo write:
Atitlan Relief Efforts, and mail it to:

Impacto
Luis F. Martinez Spanish Ministries
9690 Shepherds Creek Place
La Plata, MD 20646