Rocked by Mudslides

Saturday, September 4, 2010-- I Survived the Devastating Guatemala Hurricane... You Never Know God’s Plan

In life, there are things that happen that are incomprehensible to us, and we’ll never understand. The most sensible way to understand is not to think about why, or try to blame someone, including ourselves, but to ask what is the remedy to our situation.  Here is my story.

On Saturday, September, 4, 2010, a wonderful day began with a joy so abundant, by bringing help to the people of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. We had a truck loaded with vitamins, school supplies, blankets, toiletries, food boxes, mattresses, children's gifts, and more.  Unfortunately, during our travels, we found a mudslide and had to stop our journey.
We waited for awhile, and tried to continue on with the 4x4 vehicles we had, but it was impossible. The roads began collapsing and we were in the danger zone.  We were able to travel another 50 meters before another road collapse occurred.  This collapse left us paralyzed and abandoned.

The conditions of the roads made it almost impossible for the media to get through the rubble without the help of heavy equipment to clear paths. Aid finally reached us, several hours later, and cleared the way for us to pass through even though the conditions remained dangerous. Other cars, traveling with us, began to pass by and they were able to see that the mountain slid with such force it took buses, trucks and small cars to a pit about 1000 feet deep. Nobody could do anything for the moment.  Unfortunately, one of the cars ahead of us had our Sister, Ana Julia, as a passenger and she died on impact as their car was involved in the mudslide. I think that experience will never be erased from my mind.

We tried to do something to help. It was frustrating waiting for the authorities to come and remove the deceased from the muddy pit, 1000 feet below ground. However, the roads were still fairly impassable, and the congestion was terrible with several miles of vehicles stranded with nothing anyone could do to help. We waited from 4:00pm until approximately 7:00pm, for help to arrive.

We sincerely thank, with all our heart, the Totonicapán department of Tourism, the Governor, and former deputy governor of Totonicapán for their support.  We especially want to thank Representative Julio Lopez Villatoro, who helped people with general needs, such as food, water, etc.   As a result, we know that God will return one hundred times as much.

At about 12 pm on Saturday, Mr. Freddy Lopez, Esq., gave us the body of our sister Ana Julia, which was taken to the Department of Quetzaltenango, where they prepared her for her subsequent burial.  

However, as we moved from Quetzaltenango, to Guatemala City, the roads were impassable.  It was an odyssey, impossible to get from one point to another. All we could do was just pray to God we serve and trust those placed in authority in Guatemala.

Due, in large part, to the efforts of Mr. Eddy Morales Mazariegos, we were able to get Air Force helicopters to transport us to the capital city of Guatemala, and in forty minutes, God allowed us to get there. Mount Zion Church in Mexico had prepared everything to receive her Pastora, and several of them told me what would they do without their pastor in the Church? I think today that missionary work has its price and the rewards are the laughter of children and the blessings of those receiving aid.

As the Pastor of Monte Sion Church, and the Director of Food Operations for Help the Children, I urge you to give your to support people in need in your community and beyond.


Mario Ruben Rivera            Director of Food Operations
Pastor, Mission Monte Sion        Help the Children
ruben90065@yahoo.com       Mario@helpthechildren.org
www.misionmontesion.org        www.helpthechildren.org