Emergency ... Devastation in Guatemala.

Dear friends,
You may have seen the reports on BBC and CNN.
Guatemala has been hit by another tropical storm that has devastated many parts of the country.
Panajachel is cut off, there are mud slides blocking the road to Solola,and the back road is passable only by the swinging bridge.
It is a very scary way to have to cross. Friday night , four people were swept away there by a mudslide. One young woman was pulled out alive and rushed to the hospital but because the roads are closed it is over an hour drive to the hospital , if you can get through at all.
From Friday midday we had families calling us for help. You may remember little Silvia who passed away a few weeks ago......her family had to evacuate their home. Their house was in the path of the river and they managed to get out with their possessions. They had nowhere to go but thanks to donations received for this family we had enough money to be able to pay one months rent on a house for them.
9 of our sponsored students are living in the gym with their families.
They all had to evacuate their homes from rising water and mudslides.
We were still evacuating people at 1.am. on Saturday morning.
Two of the Mayan Families staff worked from 1.am. till 5.am. shoveling mud in the street so that the waters would not flood into houses.
Saturday morning we sorted clothing, shoes and food. We distributed it to the gym where over 160 people were staying.
We gave out blankets and diapers. Thanks to all of you , we had these items from the shipments that you sent. I cannot thank you enough for all these things you have sent. They have meant the world to people right now. Many children lost their shoes in the mud so it was wonderful to be able to give them clean socks and shoes that they could wear. We were also able to give out underwear, new clothing to babies. Anyone who has had a baby will know how much you appreciate clean, dry clothing for a baby in a situation like this.
There was an elderly man lying on the mattress who needed adult diapers. Thanks to you...we had them.
Several of the Mayan Families staff and volunteers went to San Antonio . They took food, clothing and blankets. You can see from the photos what this meant to the people.

Today has been a chance to dry out. There was sun and everyone felt a little less worried. Unfortunately, the rains have just started again. Lets hope that it will not be too long or too heavy.

There is a desperate need for food. Thankfully, we have had some of Lisa's food left over and some of the dried food that Karen Tower has organized. That will all be gone by tomorrow.
We have 30 families who have lost their homes in Santa Catarina that we will be taking food, clothing and blankets. There will be many more whose houses are still there but inhabitable because of the mud.
These people will need food, too.

There will be many people in Panajachel coming to Mayan Families tomorrow who need food, clothing and probably help with shelter.
If you have a sponsored student with us. Please think about sending some food to them. Whoever they are, they will need it.
Work is very scarce right now. The town is quiet, there are very few tuk tuks on the street. With the roads blocked , people are not moving around. Our families that worked in the river have had all their sand washed away. They will be unable to sift sand to sell for construction. With no work , there will be nothing to eat.
There is very little for sale in the market and what there is available, is already increasing in price.
If you can please spread the word, if anyone can help to send a little money to be able to buy food for families, it would be so appreciated.
Any amount, no matter how small, will help.
http://www.mayanfamilies.org/DonateNow