04/03/2009The British like to joke and moan about the weather but living in Guayaquil, Ecuador it can really affect not only daily life but mission work too, as BMS couple Peter and Vicki Butchers explain.
For those we work among the story is different.
If the electricity short circuits and their house is made of bamboo it may well go up in flames.
They don’t live in a priority area for the electricity to be reconnected after a power cut so may wait days.
Water does not just damage but destroys their homes.
The day these photos were taken last week – in just one small area 30 families were made homeless.
And so the cycle continues.
If they fall ill they will not have the luxury of insurance to help pay for treatment.
The government has programmes of spraying insecticides but prioritises the areas that have already had outbreaks of disease.
This is why the people of Guayaquil and surrounding areas dread the rains. We battle on with services, film afternoons and visits but we do not get a very warm reception most of the time. Few folk brave the weather to come to things and, if they do, we often have to finish before the end due to power cuts or torrential rain. We too would rather ‘hibernate’ until it’s dry again!We do our best and trust God for the rest! Pray with us that we will be able to motivate people again and encourage them to venture out and explore the love of Jesus for themselves.