Rain and volcanic ash coat Guatemala City

On 28 May, Guatemala's Pacaya volcano erupted, spewing large quantities of volcanic ash which, mixed with rain that was falling, covered Guatemala City and other areas near the volcano.

Two days later, Tropical Storm Agatha pounded the Central American nation. The volcanic ash combined with heavy rain disrupted the lives of many of the cities poorest inhabitants, with filthy water pouring into homes and blocking streets.

Our two Guatemalan partners, America Latina Ministries & Schools (ALMS), and Casa del Alfarero, shared their experiences with WorldShare.

"Our usual Guatemalan beautiful, green, warm, clear skies are gray," described Bellita Zapata (ALMS). "It seems like someone painted a coat of gray pencil over all.

"On Thursday night, the volcano an hour south of our capital city had a huge eruption. I was home and I thought it was raining, before someone called saying it was raining ashes and volcano sand! It 'rained' some four hours. I must say, it was impressive, like in a movie."

This mix of ash and rain proved deadly, as five people were known to have been killed during the eruption.

"Due to the rain, the volcanic ash has stuck to the pavement," Bellita continued. "It will take many weeks to clear it all. The sand must be picked up and bagged - it should not go down the drains because it clogs them.

"Life in the city has been chaotic. All schools were cancelled. The airport was closed, with huge losses for import and export. Agriculture has also been hit hard.

"At ALMS, we brought the cleaning crew from our school in Chimaltenango (an hour west and not affected) to help out here yesterday and today; poor guys, it is such hard work!

"Though they cleared the gym's roof, still sand went down the drains and the gym was inundated so the water filtered into the sound system storage room and the recording studio with several inches of water.

"Our family, friends and staff are okay, but everyone is tired and bodies hurt from cleaning roofs, gardens and neighbourhood streets.

"The volcano has quietened down, but there is a possibility of new eruptions in one or two days. Only God knows, there is no way to know."

Edgar and Gladys Guitz (CdA) also shared their experiences with WorldShare in the aftermath of the eruption and storm.

"The clean-up has been very taxing. The roofs of many houses are thin corrugated metal, and it is important to clean them off so the extra weight doesn't cause them to collapse.

"We also have to clear the debris from the streets to keep it from getting into the drainage system, where it could cause even more damage.

"Currently, we are distributing purified water to the communities that are without potable water. And our team is monitoring the situation in all 17 of the communities we serve, and we are ready to take whatever action may be required.

"All schools, public and private, were closed for a week, but our little Treasures continued to come to Potter's House for their nutritious lunches, which are even more likely than ever to be the only good meal they get.

"The activity in the dump has also been affected. Volcanic ash removed from the roads is being taken to the dump even in the trucks that normally bring the garbage on which many of our Treasures depend for survival.

"In addition, the threat of landslides in the dump will require the imposition of strict rules that will affect the Treasures' ability to make a living. All this, and the rainy season has just begun.

"Please pray for the safety of our Treasures and for God's provision for them while their normal work is interrupted."