Nazarene churches on Guatemala's North Verapaz District are responding to the food shortages in Escuintla — one of the communities affected by the volcanic eruption earlier this month — by donating more than five tons of food to the community in only one week. 

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries leaders, the District Advisory Board, and local pastors organized a trip to deliver the food to the El Zapote community 13 June. Though the team could not fully reach El Zapote due to road damage from the volcano, community members were still able to receive the food by walking about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the delivery truck.

"Thanks to all the people who made an effort to reach this place to support us," said Luis Mijangos, a local resident. "Here the help is needed. Thanks to the [brothers and sisters] for helping us."

North Verapaz District Superintendent Francisco Cho shared his gratitude for the generosity.

"With this action, the church begins to demonstrate a testimony of compassion, remembering that the teaching of holiness is not only individual and moral but also social," Cho said. "God bless each church for its offering to this community of El Zapote."

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica