Thank you to all our friends who have asked for an update on the fire in Belen, Iquitos! On December 20, a fire broke out in the neighborhood surrounding our Latin America ChildCare school (Victoria de Jesus) in Belen. Over 150 homes were destroyed and over 200 families were displaced. We began feeding the people on the first day, using the food from the children's feeding program (provided by Feed My Starving Children).
The people had nowhere to sleep, so we put them up in our school and in the Assembly of God church associated with the school. We also bought bedding, mattresses and housing supplies.
In January, the rains came. Every year the pueblo of Belen floods when the Amazon river rises. This year, the flooding came too quickly for the families to begin rebuilding their homes (which are really shacks on stilts).
Now, the rains are receding. Thankfully, it is early in the season to see dry ground in Belen. Normally, the flooding lasts through April. But, as you can see below, the waters are going down and we can once again see the first floor of our school.
That means it is time to work. The school lost part of its roof, all the furniture and the bathrooms. So, there is much work to be done. Unfortunately, we won't be able to get it all done before school starts next week (the 2nd week in March). But, as you can see below, Pastor Jose is already preparing the walls for paint.
Please keep us in prayer as we try to recuperate what was lost in the school, while continuing to bless the community. Also, if the Lord leads you to help in the cost of repairing the school and purchasing new furniture, please send your offering to Assembly of God World Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. For Bill Shrader - Peru, Acct # 248382.
Thanks, also, to Peoples Church (Cincinnati, Ohio) and the LACC emergency fund for their generous support!
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