David, one of the greenhouse workers here in Ladner, grew up on the shore of the Motagua river near the town of Los Amates in the department of Izabal, Guatemala. It was a small agriculture community and like many in Guatemala, they work together to care for eachother. David’s parents were one of a few Christians in the area and they became well known for being generous and attentive to help.
 Las Amates, the red flag, is in the department of Isabel, in the north east. |  This is a satelite view of the little village of Aldea Chiriqui and shows the proximity to the nearby river. |
David was raised learning stories of the Bible and watching his parents example. He claims that he does not remember much of his childhood. But in 1998, at 8 years old, David experienced something that he will never forget; being hit by the second-deadliest hurricane to hit the coast of Central America, Hurricane Mitch. It caused massive flooding and destruction, destroying many homes and buildings in David’s small village, Aldea Chiriqui. He recalls the Motagua river rising and the water levels getting higher and higher quickly filling the streets and entering homes. An image he recalls is seeing their belonging floating a top the water.
That day the local pastor began knocking on doors to warn people to get out and to assess their conditions. As the water rose people scrambled for higher ground, in most cases that was the roof of their homes. There they were trapped with no food or water or a safe way of getting down. Whole families from the town were stuck there. Then David heard the rescue helicopter flying overhead. The crew were instructing everyone to prepare only the children as a first priority taking them to a nearby refuge center. David was one of the children taken from his parents arms into a helicopter not knowing if he would see them again.
That day the local pastor began knocking on doors to warn people to get out and to assess their conditions. As the water rose people scrambled for higher ground, in most cases that was the roof of their homes. There they were trapped with no food or water or a safe way of getting down. Whole families from the town were stuck there. Then David heard the rescue helicopter flying overhead. The crew were instructing everyone to prepare only the children as a first priority taking them to a nearby refuge center. David was one of the children taken from his parents arms into a helicopter not knowing if he would see them again.
Firefighters rescue a girl from a community at risk in Guatemala following hurricane Mitch. The refuge center was a stadium nearby and local villagers werr working together to take care of the kids. David was quickly collected by family friends on direction from his parents. It wasn't until 4 months later that David experienced the best moment of his life when he was reunited with his parents. Very tragically for some that special reunion did not come.
Hurricane Mitch killed over 11,000 people due to flooding and mudslides caused by the tremendous amount of rain it brought. Honduras was hardest hit. Following any disaster of this nature there are several other social impacts; school attendance decreases, diseases spreads, food production is diminished and malnutrition rates increase in places where the rate is already high.
Now, in November 2020, hurricane Eta has once again unleashed destruction in Central America and the exact same area as back in 1998. David’s town once again was flooded and residents belongings floated away. David is here in Canada working and struggles with the news that his family did not have clean water or food for 5 days. There is little he is can do to help them so far away. He would like to send money home but right now there isn’t any infrastructure to support that.
As a wise pastor once taught, in the face of disaster look for the helpers. And we can see that through this story. David’s parents and pastors supporting their community, the rescue workers and family friends taking David in back in 1998. And now in 2020 we want to share with you that some of our brothers in Christ, fellow greenhouse workers took it upon themselves to take an offering of money to support the workers whose families are directly affected by this disaster. We hope to connect those funds with missionaries providing relief in the area.
We just want to take these minutes to share with you this story and to ask that you pray for the lives of those affected near and afar. Also for God to restore homes, reunite families, provide necessities and especially for hope and faith that for many has been lost.
Hurricane Mitch killed over 11,000 people due to flooding and mudslides caused by the tremendous amount of rain it brought. Honduras was hardest hit. Following any disaster of this nature there are several other social impacts; school attendance decreases, diseases spreads, food production is diminished and malnutrition rates increase in places where the rate is already high.
Now, in November 2020, hurricane Eta has once again unleashed destruction in Central America and the exact same area as back in 1998. David’s town once again was flooded and residents belongings floated away. David is here in Canada working and struggles with the news that his family did not have clean water or food for 5 days. There is little he is can do to help them so far away. He would like to send money home but right now there isn’t any infrastructure to support that.
As a wise pastor once taught, in the face of disaster look for the helpers. And we can see that through this story. David’s parents and pastors supporting their community, the rescue workers and family friends taking David in back in 1998. And now in 2020 we want to share with you that some of our brothers in Christ, fellow greenhouse workers took it upon themselves to take an offering of money to support the workers whose families are directly affected by this disaster. We hope to connect those funds with missionaries providing relief in the area.
We just want to take these minutes to share with you this story and to ask that you pray for the lives of those affected near and afar. Also for God to restore homes, reunite families, provide necessities and especially for hope and faith that for many has been lost.
We thought we were writing this in the aftermath of one disaster but unfortunately as we speak another hurricane has hit Central America, Hurricane Iota. The route looks like it may hit a different area of Guatemala, the area where Franklin lives and is right now. But hit Nicaragua and Hondruas again, 2 hurricane in 2 weeks. David’s is one story and there are many more. Guatemala was not the worst hit in any of these storms so we ask for prayers for all the people affected throughout the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize and Mexico.
https://atalayar.com/en/content/desolation-guatemala-after-hurricane-eta
https://atalayar.com/en/content/desolation-guatemala-after-hurricane-eta
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