Pacaya’s eruption affected more the Capital  but Hurricane Agatha caused the most significant damage for the people of Ciudad Vieja in two of its most populated zones.    As a ministry we are working with our church to establish relief efforts.  The town’s people are doing extremely well to facilitate the clean-up of their respective communities, but this has been a slow process in the higher areas and will take some time.   Today the main road was opened for the first time and this gave both Pastor Fredy and me the first opportunity to visit other families who were cut off.   There are over 120 people whom have either a house full of mud up to 6 feet high or have no home to return to and are living in shelters and/or the generosity of family members.   Today we were able to purchase baby milk and food, food, water, washing powder, disinfectant and more blankets to help the community of other areas.  

To prevent dengue, cholera and other diseases spreading the town officials will be spraying all houses and streets. As other churches and aid organizations are helping in the relief, we are majoring on our own people of our church.  Seven houses were completely swept away with all the contents that the families possessed.  They were left only with what they were wearing when they had to suddenly flee. 

We urgently need to start building and also purchasing clothes and every-day needs including food.  Right now the laborers are many, but financial resources are few.   While for many it is the inclination to come to Guatemala and be hands on,  it may be best to consider the value of your plane ticket as significant benefit.  However, we will welcome you if you prefer to come to help with the reconstruction, in which case you need to have basic Spanish skills in order to communicate with our local reconstruction helpers.

              These people lost everything, including their families!

How you can help long term for 7 families!

The cost of building materials for 7 houses is: $24,000 (£16,500)

The cost for manpower hours for 7 houses is: $17,500 (£12,000)

Food $1,000   (£700)

Furniture $5,330   (£3,700)

Clothing & Shoes $1,000   (£700)
                                                                                                                                      

Total costs:  US $48,830   (£33,600)

It should be noted that these cost estimates are simply what I have seen in the few days after Hurricane Agatha and with consultation with builders from our church. – Exact amounts will vary for each house.

Photographs of the clean-up are shown below.  I copy a quote from Brad Thurston, our Globe Mission Director  which spoke  to me, “PLEASE dig deep into your pockets until it hurts!”

God bless you all

Jeff & Christa Mills
Globe Europe Missionaries

Donations can now be made online by Credit/Debit Card or PayPal by clicking on: www.globeeurope.org.uk
Our Website:     www.finalharvestministries.com
Globe Website: www.globeeurope.co.uk
Jeff Email:         JeffMills@pobox.com
Christa Email:   Christa.Mills@gmail.com

A family who lost their son & daughter and their house!

     This road was 4 foot deep with mud & boulders

    These volunteers worked from dawn until dusk!

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