On Sunday, June 3rd, tragedy struck Guatemala. The Fuego volcano, an active volcano located just 10 miles from Antigua, Guatemala, violently erupted. The eruption spewed lava and a fast-moving pyroclastic flow, leaving at least 110 people dead, and 200 still missing.
The eruption rained ash throughout the Department of Sacatepequez, including the city of Antigua. The international airport in Guatemala was closed for a brief time, as military personnel were dispatched to sweep up volcanic ash and debris which had covered the runways.
CPI's national church partners are actively involved in ministering to their fellow Guatemalans affected by this tragedy. More than 4,000 people are being housed in temporary shelters in the Department of Escuintla, and relief supplies are needed. This Friday, CPI missionaries Dr. Adam & Rhonda Reed will be flying to Guatemala, taking specialty relief & medical supplies, including particulate masks, protective gear, and first-aid supplies. These materials will be delivered to those in need by CPI's church partners on the ground, who are committed to faithfully ministering to both the physical and spiritual needs of the survivors.
Please continue to pray for Guatemala. Minor eruptions have occurred since the major eruption on June 3rd, and it is our prayer that no further volcanic activity will occur.
Also please remember Caring Partners' medical mission team heading to Guatemala on Friday, June 22nd. The team will serve primarily in Guatemala City, and will most likely be caring for people with various respiratory and ophthalmic conditions caused by the volcanic ash. Pray that CPI can acquire all the medications necessary to help meet the needs of our clinic patients, and have sufficient supplies for our church partners to distribute to local healthcare providers following our mission work. And do continue to remember all of our national church partners in Guatemala, as our ministry commits to assist them for the long-term as the devastating results of this violent eruption will have lasting effects.
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
