In November 2005, Pastor
Luis Martinez of IMPACTO Spanish Ministries led our group of stunned volunteers
across the earth that one month prior had been the village of Panabaj
A few ‘lucky’ villagers
shared their stories of what happened that fateful night in October. Hurricane Stan pounded the area with relentless,
torrential rains. The ground at the top
of Volcano Toliman broke loose and transformed into a river of mud, one-half mile
wide and twenty feet deep. Mud, trees
and debris rushed through Panabaj while many were sleeping or running for
safety. I was told it sounded like a
train roaring down the volcano.
Over 200 people were buried
alive and over 5,000 were left homeless and life forever changed for this tiny
village near Santiago
What I saw was difficult to
take in and process. A school yard with
mud covering the playground almost touching the rim of the basketball
hoop. The almost-new hospital
completely filled in with the ground that once perched atop Toliman. The former police station. Houses no where to be seen. Only bits of broken wood and broken concrete
block bits. A piece of a toy. A muddied shoe. A cooking pan. Death and destruction in all directions.
Our group respectfully
approached a few villagers as they huddled together over where their family
members’ homes had once been. They were
crying and praying. They told us they didn’t
know what they would do - such deep sadness, sorrow and weeping. We didn’t know how to help. We wept with them and offered cheese/peanut
butter crackers from our backpacks. The quetzals
we tucked in their hands seemed so inadequate. We prayed with them. We hugged them - all the while wondering why,
why, why? Why, God?
No, it was not easy walking
that afternoon in Panabaj. Not just
because of the rugged, messy terrain. Or
avoiding the lime sprinkled ground. It
was hard because I knew we were standing on the graves of fathers, mothers, sons,
daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas. I was alive and well. They were not. I could walk to an awaiting tuk-tuk, hop on a
boat, cross the lake and return to my hotel in San Pedro. My family was safe back in the States. Theirs were gone. I had a home.
They did not. It seemed so
unfair.
Sleep did not come easily
that night. Images of what I saw ran
over and over in my mind like a bad movie – and I could not turn it off.
One year later, we returned
to Panabaj with Pastor Luis. Relief
agencies had come to the volcano, constructed make-shift homes for the displaced
surviving residents and built some basic infrastructure. Life was returning - to a new normal. A temporary school was set up and children
were once again learning. Toddlers were
playing with bright colored rubber balls.
Moms were cooking, finding wood, scrubbing their clothes in new
community pillas (outdoor sinks), and noisily chatting. Vegetation was peeking up through the soil
once again. But there were still those
weeping over where their homes had once stood.
Markers of remembrance were set up so as not to forget.
The horrific news of the recent
mudslide in Washington Guatemala
So, how do we deal with
tragedies like this? How do we go
on? How do we pick up the pieces and
start over when life is torn apart?
The only word I can offer
is the Word. Jesus. He is our only hope and comfort. He promised that He would not leave us nor
forsake us.[1] Even if we feel like He is not with us. The Bible tells us that we will experience
suffering in this world.[2] And He offers peace in the midst of our
suffering.[3]
That’s it. So simple. So difficult. We must go to Him. He is available for us. He will heal the broken hearted.[4] He is good – even in the midst of the mud – in
the heartache – in the tragedy – in the unknown – in the rebuilding - He is
there. Trust.
Hope.[5]
Cling.
And maybe not today - but one day – we will see how all things will work together
for our good.[6]
[1] Deuteronomy 31:6 (works spoken in
the midst of an unknown journey) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
[3] John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
[4] Psalm 147:3 He heals the broken
hearted.
[6] Romans 8:28 And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.
