Little Relief for Flooding

I'm writing this from my desk, watching a heavy rain fall outside, and I can't help but think about the people downstream.  Some are saying that these are the worst floods in recent memory and this rain certainly isn't going to help.

This incredible video from Cochabamba's main newspaper mentions:
     -56 dead
     -11 missing
     -58,000 families affected
     -worst flooding in at least 18 years (according to the man in the canoe)



The footage is from an air force helicopter on relief missions based out of Trinidad, the center of operations.  According to today's paper, Trinidad itself is now under water, as the rivers overflowed the levies this morning.

On Friday, we left the Etnos campus at just before 3pm.  We had an uneventful drive to Puerto Villarroel, located on the Rio Ichilo, arriving around 10pm.

Dinner by the side of the road:

In the morning, we were able to wander around and see some of the damage right there in town.  Although the river was still high, it had returned to its banks.  This area drains very quickly; downstream it will take weeks to recede.  You can see the watermark on this house, which had about 2 feet of water on the floor:

Many people had pulled everything out of their homes, to dry:

A few homes were very wisely built on stilts, like this one:

Our task was mostly just to deliver the supplies and be an encouragement to the pastor and the church, who will continue the process by distributing everything downstream by boat, to affected families. 

Breakfast was masaco (fried banana, mashed) and fried wild pork

 That job done, we took the opportunity to take a boat ride on the river:

On the way, we went by a community of ethnic Yuracaré which was under water.  It is just across the river, so they were able to get assistance from the port.

Please continue to pray with us for the affected as well as those that are actively helping.  We have one pilot friend here who, although he is unable to land on the flooded airstrips is doing food drops in communities where he has contacts.  Please pray for his safety and that through him, these churches, and our small efforts, people would get the food, clothes, and medicine they need, as well as take the opportunity to hear about the Bread of Life and take spiritual shelter in the Rock of Salvation.

Classes and Floods

Classes started this week here at Etnos with five returning students.  After three days of orientation, classes officially started yesterday.  I taught my first class, a two-hour introduction to the Culture and Language Acquisition course that I am teaching this semester.  I had fun!

You may have seen in the news that Bolivia is facing massive flooding again this rainy season.  According to official estimates, more than 52,000 families are affected in 110 municipalities (each with several towns/villages).

The government has declared a state of emergency and is diverting resources to help provide evacuations, medical services, and food where needed, but it is a big job.  

One of our coworkers began pursuing the possibility of getting involved a couple days ago and started making purchases.  Staff and students have been working together to get things ready. 

Supplies were purchased in bulk and divided for distribution

Students filling bags for distribution

Each bag contains flour, rice, noodles, salt, sugar, oil, coffee, dry milk, and sardines

We currently have about 1000 pounds of food and medicine in the Patrol and trailer, ready for delivery.  I will be going with seven other staff and students to hand the supplies over to a local church in the affected region that will be able to distribute them by boat.

We had hoped to leave early this morning but have been waiting to get permission to transport gasoline into the area, for the boats.  We've been unable to get it, but we're going to leave at 2:00 this afternoon and will see what we can do about getting fuel along the way.  It is about 6 hours' worth of driving.

Please pray for all of those affected by flooding and that the churches will be faithful representatives of our good God.