Well, I've been putting up some rather vague statuses on my facebook, so on this quiet Sunday, I will let you all know whats really going on. The first weekend I was here, the night before Dad left, there was a flood. The river rose even before the rain started here in Anonos. It took out about 6 homes that were right on the bank and killed one man. We fed people that were in major need and helped out repairing houses that were wrecked. Rodney said that flooding is not a regular thing, and we all thought it was awful, but it didn't affect Anonos like the next flood that happened this past week. It had been raining pretty heavily all day due to the hurricane that was coming through heading for Haiti. We ran home as fast as we could from Bible study that night and went to bed. We woke up to a phone call from Adriannah, a member of the Vineyard here, saying that the River was so high, that she couldn't get out of her house and that a landslide happened behind her neighbors house.
We were watching from the windows in the living room. The river was probably twice as high as the last flood, and what was amazing to me is that we could see people in their houses trying to rescue stuff! Even the people that could get out weren't leaving. Rodney and I watched the electricity transformer blow up and everything go dark. It was awful. We went down to the community, and everyone and their mother was up. People were screaming, dogs were howling, but we couldn't go across the bridge or do anything to help. Sometimes thats just how it is. So, Cindy put on beans and rice to feed the people in the morning, and the best we could do was pray. The rain just wouldn't stop. So, we've been feeding people since Thursday morning, and many many people have left. The government is taking them out and letting them stay in shelters until new houses are built for them. Tons of people are refusing to leave though.
This is after the river went down:
Today we saw that people are moving BACK into the Quebrada (the most affected place) because its starting to get cold and windy, letting people know that the rainy season is coming to an end. It is really sad. The foot bridge that really connects everything here in Anonos is closed off because the ground is so fragile. If an earthquake happened right now...wow. Everything would be gone. We have been visiting the people we are closest with that Julie convinced to move out. They are really scared of the unknown. But it is best for their families. Please pray for everyone here. For the ladies in the shelters to feel peace and know that God is with them always and for the people refusing to leave for protection.
Christina - I just wrote you this really long comment and for some reason when I went to post it - I lost it. Anyway - I cannot even begin to imagine what you have seen in these first few weeks in Costa Rica. I have been praying for you - that you would have strength during this time. I will continue to pray for you all as well as those who have lost their homes. I pray that the people of Los Anonos will be even more receptive to the peace that only God can give when we are faced with uncertainty and fear. Love you, Debbie
ReplyDeleteDebbie- Thank you! Yeah, I have seen some pretty gory stuff here. I do love being here, though! Thank you for the prayers! Love you, Christina
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