The Church of the Nazarene in Las Gallinas, in Senahú, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, opened its doors to provide shelter, food, and hope to dozens of families affected by a landslide on Saturday, 20 September 2025.
Among the victims of the landslide were Olga Chub and her daughters Daylin (13) and Kinderli (7), who were active members of the congregation.
According to the Guatemalan volunteer firefighters, the landslide was caused by the instability of a saturated hillside following heavy rains. Several homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. The Las Gallinas Church of the Nazarene sheltered around about 30 families, and 50 more were sheltered in the Senahú municipal gymnasium. Other families sought refuge in the community school.
Pastor Elmer Acabal and the congregation temporarily opened the church to house the affected families, providing them with food, shelter, and support during their stay. In coordination with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) of the North Central Field, a team made up of Dámaris Kellogg (NCM coordinator, North Central Field), Hugo Lucero (communications coordinator, North Central Field), and Rosario Xuc (North Central Field coordinator of Comprehensive Development of Children and Adolescents) visited the area to support and pray with the church. The team helped deliver mattresses and blankets, and thanks to offerings from other churches, food and basic needs of the sheltered families were covered. The team shared a message of salvation, and several women responded to the call to a new life in Christ.
“I ask you to support our members with your prayers,” Acabal said. “We are sad to know that our sisters are no longer with us, but we trust that one day they will rise in Christ.”
Sister Olga served with dedication in Nazarene Missions International (NMI) at the church in Las Gallinas. Her companions testified that she was tireless, committed to her calling, and passionate about sharing Jesus. A week before the landslide, Sister Olga joined the evangelism team to visit homes — an experience that led to two people committing their lives to Christ.
“Today, although we mourn her passing, we are certain that her Savior has welcomed her with the words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord,'” said Dámaris Kellogg. “We pray that, amid the pain, their story may be transformed into a message of hope. May Sister Olga’s example—a life dedicated to the service and love of Christ—inspire us to continue serving faithfully and compassionately.”
How to help
Pray for comfort for Olga, Daylin, and Kinderli’s family; for protection from further rains; for strength for the local church; and for wisdom in its decisions.
To watch pastor Elmer Acabal’s testimony, click here.