Guatemala - Hurricane and Volcano

Pastor Ken Herfst reports that the recent eruption of volcano Pacaya has left much of the country covered in ash. Then Hurricane Agatha battered parts of the country in a similar way to Hurricane Stan in 2005. Pastor Ken was scheduled to return to Guatemala on Thursday (June 3) but his flight has been delayed until next Tuesday at the earliest (June 8). We hope to have a clearer picture of how various projects have been affected then as well as the needs of people in the region. Brian Dennett of AMG Guatemala (La Palabra Christian School and the Radio project in Cubulco) reports no injuries or damages to AMG projects but expects to be very involved in recovery efforts as does Saq B'e.

A car remains buried near the area where 11 people died when a landslide destroyed their home on the northern outskirts of Guatemala City on May 31, 2010. (JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Projects Affected:
1) Restoration House (home for those recovering from additions) in Champerico on the Pacific Coast. Battered by waves with quite a few houses seriously damaged. Communication remains very difficult.

2)Ruth Association. Access to the remote villages involved with this project (Bible studies for women) have been cut off by numerous mud slides. This project is carried out in partnership with the Canadian Reformed World Relief Foundation.

3) Xe Abaj agricultural project. The crops have experienced some damage.

4) Cubulco - Radio project with AMG Guatemala (Free Reformed Missions active in this area). A bridge built by Pastor Ken Herfst approximately 15 years ago was severely damaged while four people were walking on it killing all four.

Pastor Ken Herfst hopes to provide a firsthand update next week when he arrives in western Guatemala, the Lord willing. Here are a series of pictures from the Boston Globe (click on pictures)