By Patricio and Norma, Colombia
The Mocoa landslide was a natural disaster that took place in 2017. During the pre-dawn hours of April 1, 2017, local heavy rain triggered flash flooding and landslides in the city of Mocoa, Colombia, killing at least 329 people, injuring 332, and leaving 70 others missing. It is the third-deadliest weather-related disaster in Colombian history, and is regarded as the worst catastrophe in the history of Mocoa.
My husband Patricio and I and two more friends from the city of Cali had the blessing of making a trip to the devastated city of Mocoa on April 24. We had the impression upon arrival in the city that an atom bomb had wiped out 40% of the place. We saw neighborhoods wiped off the map, rocks of gigantic dimensions, and demolished houses. The three avalanches that took place in the space of one hour snuffed out many lives. Most people were asleep at the time.
We felt the call in the depths of our hearts to go, and we began to collect help and donations. In one week we had gathered about one ton of food. We also had money for the purchase of cooking kits for people who had lost everything. Patricio wrote a message of special comfort for the people of Mocoa, and we set off on our trip.
The next step was to coordinate with a contact in Mocoa, as we thought we’d prepare 200 breakfasts and 300 lunches every day for those who were homeless, and also reach out to them with a message of comfort. After a draining journey of 13 hours, we headed into the Amazon jungle of Putumayo and finally arrived in Mocoa at eight o’clock at night.
We had a team of young people and adults who went with us, bringing meals to the shelters and encampments, and we would pray for the different situations—with counsel for some who were downcast over the loss of their loved ones, and with others who were fearful about the future, as starting over again from scratch is not easy. People thanked God with tears in their eyes for a second chance in their lives; many had seen how an angel had literally snatched them from the bank and saved them from the river. They had had an encounter with the living God, who does not fail those who go to Him for aid.
We gave out 900 breakfasts, 1,300 lunches, 80 ice creams, and we prayed with 400 people. We finished our trip with hearts that overflowed with thanksgiving and gained a network of friends who we hope to be able to continue helping, as the people of Mocoa are just beginning the reconstruction of their lives.