Spring Storms
Jean Carlo Albuquerque (Piura, Peru)
The flooding was unexpected. On March 27, the waters rose above the
docks and the river was stronger than imaginable. I was working at the
time when I heard about the water rushing into Catacaos. I went to
where my wife was at and we were stranded while the city submerged
under waves of water. I thank God that our children were with my
parents in Piura. After I took my wife to a safer location, I contacted
the families of the church who had taken refuge in the stadium and
schools. It was difficult to hear their stories about how they lost
everything but I was reassured to know that they were safe. Thirteen
families of our church lost their homes.
Rescue workers evacuated everyone on rescue ropes and ladders. Those
abandoned stayed at the Catacaos Municipal center. It was difficult
for me to encourage them because I was doubting my own calling at
the time. I did not sleep or eat because I felt helpless. I climbed a tree
outside to locate where the church was should have been. But there was
nothing except the roof. All the hard work and time that our members
poured into our church building was gone. My heart sunk, but I trusted
God had everything was under control. The water slowly receded
but the number of cases disease rose and people needed clean water,
clothes, and food. I asked God for guidence.
Government aid started to come, and our church became a channel of
blessing to the community. Families did not just come to receive food
but also the Word of God. But the help that came also ended quickly
and it made the situation worse. We needed supplies and food for
the families that came to the congregation. I knew that our Heavenly
Father would be there with us. I was at a pastors’ meeting when I first
heard about Children of Jesus. I was surprised to hear about the financial
and spiritual support they wanted to provide to the city of Catacaos.
They shared the vision and projects that they had for the families and
youth of Catacaos. It was soon that COJ constructed our new church.
My heart was filled with joy and thanks for His unfailing love. Since the
church was rebuilt, our congregation has grown through God’s grace.
We now have 40 youth, 50 families, and more than 150 children. The
river may have taken the old church building away, but our faith and
love could never be washed away. The miracle came in more than just a
building, it was a spiritual revival in the community.
This September, we inaugurated the church.
God has given us new goals and different
visions for the future. What an experience of
grand revival! Our church truly experienced
the grace of God these floods. What began
as a disaster, God changed to a blessing of
restoration. Catacaos is not known anymore as the place where disaster
hit, but the location where God’s glory shined.
18 HHK World Mission Center