April 2017: "Relief Efforts by SIM for the Flooding in Peru"

The mayor of one of the districts in Lima is a Christian.  SIM Peru partnered with several local churches and the mayor to provide relief to people affected by the flooding in an area of Lima called Paramonga.  SIM helped with the purchase of blankets, diapers, cans of tuna repellent and medicines for these efforts.

Yesterday, Jason and Ethan Brink returned to each of the locations in Pacura where the displaced people are living in tents or sleeping on the ground or on cots.  Temperatures were nearly 90˚F with high humidity.  The heat in the buildings where up to 30 families were living was stifling.  Fortunately, each location has running water, however we know the quality of the water is inconsistent.  Jason placed filters in each location that they are providing relief and taught the leaders how to use them and keep them clean.

"Huaico!" is the word they use in Peru to describe a wall of mud coming down a hillside.  On March 17th, it was a word repeatedly screamed by people trying to alert others to wake up and escape with their lives before a wall of mud engulfed their homes.  This is the story that SIM missionary Martin Wieland heard people in the district of Lurigancho tell him when he asked them to describe what they had experienced.  Martin has partnered with the organization Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope) to help provide relief to those who have lost everything they owned.

Yesterday, SIM partnered with Helping Hands, Water Missions Interntional and the Trujillo Alliance Church to provide 2000 liters of  water and 200 meals to those impacted from extreme flooding.

When Pastor Lindorf Chamorro's team arrived in Bamba Alta, the road was impassable.  They had to make several trips in smaller vehicles to get to the people that government officials had agreed to assemble together.  After a devotional from the Bible, 100 families received the donations.  Then there was a time of personal counseling.  Pastor Chamorro appreciated how these donations and the dedication of the 40 volunteers worked together to alleviate needs for these families.

Today Jason and Ethan visited people who were devastated by the mudslides that swept through their homes and businesses.  In many cases mud filled the homes from floor to ceiling.  These people have lost all of their belongings.  Most people told Jason that they only had 5 minutes warning to get out of their homes and literally run for their lives to escape the river of mud.  Today, SIM partnered with the Alliance church to provide food, water, and clothing for nearly 300 families.  The cleanup will take months.