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“It’s a total
disaster.”
– Noe Sam
Noe Sam is a man of few words. This time it was
different. For one solid hour, stories of hunger, suffering,
hardship and death poured from his mouth. Hurricane Stan had taken
its toll on his country, his friends, and his family.
Since 2000, our churches have had an ongoing
partnership with CESSMAQ, the social service arm of a group of
churches in Guatemala called the Maya Quiche Presbytery. For the
past five years, we have worked with Noe, the director of CESSMAQ,
to help alleviate poverty through Christian service and outreach.
Side by side, we have learned from one another, and shared Christ
across cultural boundaries. |

Friends from Austin, TX work
alongside Antonio, whose village was recently devastated by the
flooding
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Now, our partner churches and communities are in
crisis. The massive flooding in Central America has swallowed
highways, buried buildings, and left many of the villages
inaccessible. Entire communities have been washed away. Small
towns have run out of food. The late fall harvest of corn, sugar
cane, coffee and sesame is in ruins. Food supplies for the coming
year will be incredibly low. Most people earn their living from
farming. With no crops, there are no jobs. There were no savings
to begin with. The average Guatemalan survives on less than $2 per
day. For better or worse, there is no FEMA here. It is a hunger
emergency.
CESSMAQ is leading an emergency relief effort for 33
of our partner communities. For just over $2000 per community, they
can provide emergency food, clothing, medicine and shelter. We ask
you to give what you can. Here is an idea of what your donation can
provide.
Your donation can help…
Feed the hungry: $25
– 100lb. bag of corn
Sustain a family: $160
– A full month’s wage for a Guatemalan farmer
Rebuild a community: $2100
– Basic food,
clothing and medicine for an entire village
in need
Thank you for
your support!
Make checks payable to:
Mission
Presbytery (“Guatemala Flood Relief” in memo field)
7201 Broadway
Suite 303
San Antonio, Texas 78209 |