If you’ve been following my posts, you know that Lima, and other areas along the coast of Peru, are in the middle of one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Peru. It’s the worst flooding they have had in two decades with a total of 72 deaths thus far, and as of right now, it’s only going to get worse.
Peru has had one of the hottest summers in a long time causing warming of the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean, which in turn, has caused unusual rains and a series of intense storms that have struck hard all along the coast of Peru. The rainfall has rushed so hard down the side of mountains, pooling in certain areas, and then bursting and rushing even harder downwards, flowing into different rivers all along the coast in a mudslide like fashion. These rivers, weaving in and out of the homes and lives of millions, are rushing with more water then they can handle, causing eroding and destruction all along the coast.
This natural disaster is being known as #unasolafuerza all throughout Peru and the world.
I am in a central district of Lima where I am not directly affected by the flooding besides the shutting off of running water. I knew that just a bus ride away would take me to places where homes are being destroyed and people are losing their lives. For a week I have had it pressed deeply on my heart to find a way to go and help but I could not find anything.
Yesterday, frustrated, I prayed to the Lord that He would bring someone in my path that could lead me to place where I could physically help people in need during this time of natural disaster.
He did not let me prayer go unanswered.
Long story short, I was sitting at a Starbucks in Lima when a pastor from Montana came up to me asking for a wifi password. It wasn’t long before we were being led to a church, which led us to a man who works for Compassion International, who led us to exactly what I had prayed for- people in need.
Today we took a bus ride to a district of Lima (ONLY ONE HOUR AWAY), to a Baptist Seminary called Seminario Biblico Bautista. This seminary is run by a sweet couple named Oliver and Gloria Williams who have lived in Peru for over 40 years. Their seminary is just along the bank of a river and is being affected by the flooding in extraordinary ways.
The first is one of their buildings that was used as the chapel has almost nearly been completely swept away due to the eroding of the coast. The water is rushing so hard and eroding so much that it took the floor out completely from underneath the building.
The second is that the entire property is covered in a mud so thick that it could be used as clay to make pottery. It makes it nearly impossible to maintain any source of livable, usable space.
The third is that there is at least an 80-100 percent chance of rain over the course of the next week, which means that it is only getting worse.
Today we helped move their things from one building at risk of being swept away next to a more safe space, shoveled mud off of sidewalks and walkways, organized donated items, and created a makeshift wall to hopefully keep the coming water from reaching too far into the property of the seminary. They told us that anytime we hop on a bus and go there, there will be work for us to do.
I’m so thankful that the Lord led us to this place so that we can be in the trenches of this natural disaster, helping in any ways we can. I have full confidence that the God who created the ocean is in full control of it! We will be going back tomorrow and any other day this week during our time here that we can! Please be praying for Peru, this seminary, Oliver and Gloria, and for God’s glory to pour down on this country!
More posts about this seminary and this disaster to come!
You are magnificently loved,
Sara
