A lack of emergency food and housing is complicating
matters. The country simply wasn't
prepared to respond with food already in short supply, compounded by three
years of drought. 

Although the flooding and the landslides displaced thousands, Jeff Jones with
Buckner International says their work isn't negatively
affected. "We have staff
there year-round trying to do ministry work with the least and the lost, and
they will continue to do that."

Buckner began its Guatemala program in 2002. By 2003, they began hosting volunteer
mission trips, then became a Guatemalan Foundation (and an NGO) in 2005.

For six years, Buckner has been an active part of the
dialogue between the government of Guatemala and the Ministry of Social Welfare. Buckner
offers training in foster care, preventative health care, childcare,
residential care and social services.

This kind of work requires many hands to keep it moving
forward, so the "perfect storm" Guatemala is weathering had slowed their
progress with a reduction in manpower. Short-term teams are rescheduling or diverting.

Jones says eight interns bound for
Guatemala had to be re-routed. "They're going to go
serve in Honduras for the month. It was at the request of our Guatemalan
staff which had plenty to do to try to take care of those that are in our
reach."

Buckner's outreach approach has always been about the whole
person. Jones explains that actions are a powerful way
to back up their words. In emergencies,
aid always opens doors for the Gospel. "They see that you're meeting their
needs, that you care about them without an ulterior motive or an agenda, and God
does provide opportunities to share our faith." 

You can help provide change for the better in
Guatemala. Click here for links to "how" and "where."

Gloria Caceres with Orphan Outreach says those living nearest the volcano have been evacuated. "About 1000 families from the areas near to the volcano had to go to shelters since the volcano erupted big rocks and tons of lava."   

Caceres noted that on the first night of the eruption, Thursday, "We had a mix of tons of rain today with the Pacaya volcano erupting. The volcanic sand reached several areas of Guatemala including the city. There was more than an inch of black volcanic sand covering the streets, cars, everything."

It also disrupted flights and stranded
passengers at the airport. As for the
children they're working with in the schools and orphanages, Caceres
says, "Praise God, our ministry is fine. But it definitely is affecting the
whole capital of Guatemala." 

Orphan Outreach is also watching for a quake
in the next few days: "They're
trying to mobilize people as they can. We just have to try and watch out
because the volcano might erupt again." 

Mudslides are another concern. In
the meantime, their team continues to live out the Gospel. "Pray for us to keep our faith strong
and know that God is in control." 

Orphan Outreach is
partnering with ministry programs in Guatemala City, as well as working in the
communities of Panabaj and Lemoa. They
could use help. See our links for
details.