Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
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Cross Catholic Blog
- May 1, 2019
Volcano Disaster Relief
RISING FROM THE ASHES
– Guatamala –
In 2017, Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted, to the shock and terror of nearby villagers. As it spewed columns of ash and pyroclastic flow, families ran in fear. Houses and crops were destroyed, and many lost family members who were buried beneath the ashen wasteland they once called home.
Thanks to donors like you, Cross Catholic Outreach brought new hope to the shaken community. With local ministry partners, as well as other local organizations and community leaders, we provided the first permanent houses for displaced survivors.
Julio, pictured above, escaped the volcanic eruption in the nick of time, fleeing with his wife, Micel, and their two young daughters. For months to follow, the family lived in temporary shelters, grieving the loss of more than 40 loved ones and wondering how they would ever rebuild their lives.
When Julio and Micel learned they would be receiving a new home, they stood in stunned silence. After a few minutes, tears began to run down Julio’s face. “I do not have words to thank you enough, but I know that the Lord will reward you,” Julio said. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I honestly can’t thank you enough.”
Many more families were blessed with new homes, complete with electricity and indoor plumbing, these houses will relieve the burden on traumatized families and help them move forward from tragedy. Thank you for being part of this compassionate outreach!
Help us continue to respond to natural disasters, wherever they may occur.
