Acapulco

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Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

May 10, 2024 in Ministry, Prayer, Thanks by Dave | Permalink

The signs of damage were impossible to miss as we arrived in Acapulco—trees broken and bare, windows shattered, and, in some places, the complete facades of buildings still missing months after Hurricane Otis carved its devastating path eastward through the city into the surrounding hills. Yes, the sad story of disaster that began on October 25, 2023, when this category 5 storm made landfall is easy to tell. Nevertheless, the story we heard as we greeted the area congregations was one of resilience.

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Fellow missionary Peter Breit accompanied me (Dave) as we made the 4 1/2 hour drive from Mexico City to Acapulco, located on the Pacific coast of Guerrero. We were met by the district superintendent, Victor Olivares, and his team, visiting 25 churches in the five-day trip, from May 1st to the 6th.

What we saw was breathtaking. At one church, the entire third floor—roof, block walls and all—had been completely swept away. At another, the metal roof structure of a neighboring building had literally been thrown into its second-story balcony. Miraculously, there was no loss of life among A/G church members. However, these structures remain scarred because reconstruction has been slowed by a lack of available materials and laborers despite the generous response to calls for support.

Even in the face of so much adversity, we were met by people with hearts full of gratitude, determined to persevere. Celso and Guadalupe, the pastors of Rey de Reyes in the Las Cruces neighborhood, exemplified this determination. Even before the storm, as they sought to establish a vibrant congregation in this needy area, they had to overcome both violent persecution and an avalanche while constructing their building. Seemingly unfazed by the setback Otis dealt them, they received us with thankfulness for the support we’d given and faith for their complete recovery.

Let’s remember these brave believers in prayer as they continue the labor of reconstruction.

Photo Captions:

  1. Pastor Alfredo Castañeda shows Victor Olivares storm damage to his church and how high winds carried a neighbor’s roof through its balcony door.
  2. While reconstruction efforts are slow, we rejoiced to see materials on-site at “Amistad,” a church that had lost its roof in the storm.
  3. Pastors Celso and Guadalupe, together with the leadership of District “Sur Pacífico”

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Hurricane Otis: Meeting the Need

November 11, 2023 in Support by Dave | Permalink

On October 25th at 1:25 AM, Acapulco was impacted by Hurricane Otis, an unprecedented category 5 cyclone. In its wake of devastation, there was damage to 80% of the city’s commercial buildings and more than 270,000 homes. Officials state that 47 lives were lost due to the storm and 59 more are still missing.

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Since the storm’s passing, we have not been idle. In addition to our fervent prayer for the victims of the storm, we have been in communication with local emergency response coordinators and the national leadership of the Assemblies of God of Mexico to assess the need and convey it to both Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) and Convoy of Hope (COH). These organizations have combined to send $50,000 to purchase relief supplies to help thousands. We have also been helping with logistics as COH looks to send relief supplies directly from the US to the needy of the area.

Victor Olivares, a leader of the local response team, has expressed his gratitude. He told us that his volunteers are distributing relief kits daily because of this generous response and support from neighboring communities. Still, a major need remains.

There are 75 Assemblies of God churches in addition to several parsonages that have been damaged or destroyed in the region affected by the storm. The cost to repair or reconstruct these buildings will be staggering–a burden too heavy for the residents of Acapulco to bear alone, especially since the economy from which they made their livelihood literally collapsed overnight. That’s why we’re making an appeal. Can you take a moment to consider what you might do to help them rebuild?

AGWM has set up a fund for reconstruction. By following this link, you can donate to help speed the recovery in Acapulco. In this moment of their desperate need would you respond with your generosity toward our brothers and sisters in Mexico? Thank you in advance for your help.

Photo Captions:

  1. Hurricane Otis surprised forecasters and shocked the residents of Acapulco as it moved from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in twelve hours’ time.
  2. Otis not only took the roof off of A/G church “La Amistad” but its heavy rains also undermined the foundation, threatening to collapse its walls.
  3. The response to the need has been swift. Thanks to gifts from AGWM and COH supplies such as these are being distributed daily. Relief has arrived, rebuilding remains.

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