Gales Point Belize Flooding Update

As many of you know from the previous posts- Gales Point was one of the worst areas hit during the recent tropical storms in Belize. Noone expected that it would bring this much flooding and damage. The good news is that relief aid is getting to the people and the water is beginning to recede. Having been there many times though, I still cannot imagine all the work that will need to be done now and all the continued aid they will need. As far as I can tell they are still isolated, as the bridges in both directions are out. I know that helicopters have been flying in food and that the fresh water supply has been restored- so we praise God for that and continue to pray for them. Below is a story that was run in the local paper. It's kind of weird for us when we know ALL of these people- almost the whole village.

Gales Point is the only community in the Belize District that’s been declared a disaster area. But so far we’ve only seen it from a helicopter and though it looks battered, that image is still too neat. Today Keith Swift and Alex Ellis went there with the Coast Guard. They are just back a few minutes ago and they found that Gales Point is ground zero for flood relief – they told Keith Swift stories of unprecedented floods, worse than Hattie.

Keith Swift Reporting,
I am walking on the main road in Gales Point. Normally it separates the two lagoons but now the water is knee deep and instead of two, there is now just one big lagoon.

Gales Point Resident #1,
“The water swept right through my house. When we woke up the morning I told my grandson and my girlfriend that water was in the house and what will we do. When I opened the door and looked out there, there was water all over.”

Gales Point Resident #2,
“From my house down that way, coming all the way here water was to my chest running strong. I hollered for Karen upstairs and when she jumped up she said oh my God what happened. There was water from here to the community center.”

We found most of Gales Point’s 400 villagers at the government school awaiting basic food supplies such as rice and beans. There are reportedly 59 villagers staying at the community center. So the number one problem here in Gales Point isn’t really food because that is trickling in. The problem is that most residents have no where to stay.

Gales Point Resident #3,
“Right now I will stay in the community center like three more days along with my mom and father. Right now everything is destroyed in the house. My stove, my chair, clothing – all the things like m fowl, my duck are destroyed.”

Village Chairlady,
“Well the situation is rough rough rough because almost every house got managed inside the village and a lot of the houses are flooded out. Water caught me personal to my waist inside my kitchen and I know several people got damaged like the crops and the poultry. Me alone I suffer almost 100 layers which I had inside my place and all of them drowned. So I know people have other things.”

Gales Point Resident #4,
“I am 81 and I have never seen something like this. My father died and went and he didn’t experience this. Hurricanes, all the hurricanes come and thing but nothing like this destruction.”

Gales Point Resident #5,
“We were expecting a little high water but not this bad because this is the first time from I know myself that I see this water. Hurricane Hattie passed through and this is the first time.”

MINISTRY NIGHTS!

These pictures should speak for themselves! Whata n awesome three nights/days of worship/teaching and healing! Several people were fully healed and many others saw huge improvements and the healing continues! A special thanks to all who came and contributed (by their presence and giftings and willingness to be used by God!). Spcial blessings also to Steve Trullinger and his ministry! It was a Holy Sprit blast and very refreshing for all of us! What is happening in the natural with all the floods- may it CONTINUE to break forth in the Spirit!

Mike and I and The Truth Ministry are going to be opening our homes on Sunday evenings to continue to allow God to do what he wants to do in each of our lives! If youa re interested in these nights and when they are happening and youa re not already on our email list- send us an email at prayhard@tds.net so we can add you.

Before and After

Gales Point before...

Gales Point after...

Tropical Storm Wreaks Havoc in Gales Point and Belize

Two tropical storms hit Belize days ago to cause more flooding and more damage than any hurricane has caused. I heard it being reported as the worst natural disaster for Belize in recent history. Many are stranded, some have died others have been relocated. All the rice fields have been washed out and apparently food supply is very low. As for Gales Point, this small village was one of the worst hit. Because ti is only inches above "lagoon/sea level" as the waters rose and rain fell, the land basically became engulfed into the sea/lagoon. I was trying to post an aerial photo on here of what it normally looks like and what it looked like Monday- but I'm not sure I can get it up.

Below I have photos sent from Mandy, one of the school teachers who is serving down there and lives at the base with Basil and Vera. The first one is the "backyard" of the mission base.



This photo is of the path between the lagoon and the mission base (the path you need to travel to get to the boat to get to the base) Some of you avid supporters may remmeber seeing Mike and I wade thru this path on one of our previous trips. For us, it was about mid calve in depth....this time, it came up to Mandy's shoulders...that'd be about 5 feet.

The end of the path where it meets the lagoon. This was taken on Sunday- before the previous photo. Here, Carol and Mandy begin their hike back to the base.

Vera has told me that many of the villagers are unable to live in their homes at this time. They are staying in the church or the hurricane shelter until they can leave. I read on my own that the government does have boats stationed in the lagoon to evacuate people should there be another swell. I haven't verified if this is true or not, but I assume it is. Until we know more, the best thing we can do is pray. If you want to send support to help aid in providing food and clothing and blankets, please email us at prayhard@tds.net and we'll let you know where to send it.