We met Pastor Juan Muñoz used to live in a house on the edge of the Maule River, where it empties into the ocean. There’s an island in the river just across the water from his house, a popular camping spot. On the night of the earthquake, about 200 people were on this island having a late-night, end-of-summer party.
When the earthquake hit, he and his household gathered to pray. Once the shaking passed, they quickly ran out to their car to escape to higher ground. They had always been taught that a tsunami follows an earthquake. The street was already flooded with water while they got into the car.
Looking across the water, Pastor Muñoz saw the lights of about 30 cell phones being waved by people on the island as they tryed to signal for help. But the water in the street was already quickly receding, signaling the coming of the tsunami. Horrified, Muñoz realized it was already too late to help them.
Only three of them have been found.
As Muñoz led our team through his devastated neighborhood, we saw whole blocks of houses flattened, the second-story of a home blocking the road, and people everywhere trying to collect their belongings. His own home was completely gone, and he wept as he tried to comfort his friends and neighbors.
What’s cool is that, despite losing everything, he’s still ministering. The church – unaffected – has become a haven and distribution center. And Muñoz opened up his produce business and gave everything away to help feed those without food after the disaster.
It’s amazing to see how – both here and in Haiti – God’s people have reached out to their communities in the midst of their own hurts
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