Volcano Update

Many of you have heard or seen the news about a volcano (named Fuego) erupting here in Guatemala. The main eruption happened on Sunday afternoon. According to some news sources it was/is the largest eruption here in the country since 1929.

We live about 20-30 minutes from the towns that are most affected. Their towns have been buried in lava. The lava flow (pyroclastic flows), was the same type of lava flow that happened with Pompeii - very fast moving and super hot.

credit BBC

I just sent this out today to some others and thought I would share it on here.

Another few items everybody can be praying for regarding the situation:

-They (CONRED - Guatemala's government organization who is coordinating relief efforts) have expanded the evacuation area the past couple days because the volcano is still active and rumbling (with a possibility of another semi large eruption). That means all emergency personal and first responders are not able to get close enough to people who possibly are still alive. (They found a family of 8 Wednesday afternoon who were in trees since Sunday afternoon. They weren't able to get down because of the temperature of the lava under them.) 

-We also had a nice heavy rain Tuesday afternoon which helped settle alot of the ash/dust but made mud slides and flooding due to ash clogging drains. Yesterday and this morning it all dried out again so anytime a slight breeze comes tons of ash gets circulated in the air (along with the tons of ash already in the air). So many people are still wearing masks. 

-Be praying for workers who are volunteering in evacuation centers

-Be praying for those who have lost family and friends

-Be praying for God's peace

update: As of Wednesday evening the death count is now above 99, missing is still above 197, with 300+ injured. 

The towns most affected are 30-40  min from us. 

I shared some before/after photos on Facebook yesterday morning if you want to take a look. https://www.facebook.com/SamChunInforma/posts/2431943340152928

This is a before and after of a golf course that is
4 miles from Fuego.

Also if you want to follow what's going on or see some videos of earlier on in the week check out Daryl Fulp's facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daryl.fulp 

You can also  google Fuego eruption Guatemala and you can read as much as you want - just keep in mind not everything you read on the internet is true - make sure they are reliable sources. :)

Pray for Guatemala

Thanks,

Andi and Shauna