The first picture shows how high the water went in Katie´s house. The second shows that the water went so high as to destroy the building on the side of the road. (I apparently may or may not have made up the following story about my grandpa...)
There are many stories told about my grandpa. There was a flood at one point in Chicago and the streets were filled with water. My grandfather was sitting outside on the porch just taking it all in. At one point, he saw a man get out of his car, take off his socks and shoes, and start walking down the street as his car was unable to pass any further. Seeing that this man was a priest, Papa decided to yell out, ¨Hey Moses! Why don´t you part the Red Sea?¨ Clever.
I am reminded of this story as this past Tuesday morning, Tena and a number of the surrounding areas woke up, many in the middle of the night, to flooding. I was aroused at 3am by Katie. She was calling to tell me she had to evacuate her house a little prior due to water entering from the overflowing river. The next day, when I went to see the damage, I was amazed. Water had entered her house up to 6 feet high, creating muddy water damage to everything in the house. Katie, Pilar, and some others had spent the day removing a thick layer of mud from the house left over from after the water had gone down. Everything was outside drying. Pilar, the owner of the house was keeping an incredible attitude, saying that these were just material things and at least they had their lives. She is completely correct and yet it is still difficult to imagine the lives of those affected, especially those with limited savings. Right now their family has some indigenous families helping to clean up the damage. While this is a great help, they are stealing their things right from under their noses as well. Granted, most of the stuff probably does not work after floating in water and being covered by mud. Regardless I am very frustrated by the idea that they are taking what they want while giving assistance without asking. It is unsettling.
The city of Tena is still recovering. Pilar´s house was lucky enough to have a flow of water coming through the backyard that could be used to wash the floors and property but there is still a lot to be done. Last night, I went to help one of my friends clean up. When I arrived, it happened to be her house´s turn for a water source. The city is delivering water house by house. A power washing device was used to clear the thick mud from the floor as the rest of us swept the muddy water out the doors. Everyone talks about just how quickly the water rose and how there was no time to save anything but your own life.
In many ways, all were affected because we were without water for about 2 days. This morning it started to come back which is a blessing for those who need to continue cleaning, and of course for sanitation purposes. I am lucky enough to live on the second floor of a house that is on higher ground. I have continued with my schedule of going to work each day. Besides helping out at friends´ houses, I could go on unaffected. It is incredible to me how people living so closely can be affected so differently. Please keep these families and communities in your prayers for a quick recovery of their homes and the ability to salvage those things necessary and important to them.
I am reminded of this story as this past Tuesday morning, Tena and a number of the surrounding areas woke up, many in the middle of the night, to flooding. I was aroused at 3am by Katie. She was calling to tell me she had to evacuate her house a little prior due to water entering from the overflowing river. The next day, when I went to see the damage, I was amazed. Water had entered her house up to 6 feet high, creating muddy water damage to everything in the house. Katie, Pilar, and some others had spent the day removing a thick layer of mud from the house left over from after the water had gone down. Everything was outside drying. Pilar, the owner of the house was keeping an incredible attitude, saying that these were just material things and at least they had their lives. She is completely correct and yet it is still difficult to imagine the lives of those affected, especially those with limited savings. Right now their family has some indigenous families helping to clean up the damage. While this is a great help, they are stealing their things right from under their noses as well. Granted, most of the stuff probably does not work after floating in water and being covered by mud. Regardless I am very frustrated by the idea that they are taking what they want while giving assistance without asking. It is unsettling.
The city of Tena is still recovering. Pilar´s house was lucky enough to have a flow of water coming through the backyard that could be used to wash the floors and property but there is still a lot to be done. Last night, I went to help one of my friends clean up. When I arrived, it happened to be her house´s turn for a water source. The city is delivering water house by house. A power washing device was used to clear the thick mud from the floor as the rest of us swept the muddy water out the doors. Everyone talks about just how quickly the water rose and how there was no time to save anything but your own life.
In many ways, all were affected because we were without water for about 2 days. This morning it started to come back which is a blessing for those who need to continue cleaning, and of course for sanitation purposes. I am lucky enough to live on the second floor of a house that is on higher ground. I have continued with my schedule of going to work each day. Besides helping out at friends´ houses, I could go on unaffected. It is incredible to me how people living so closely can be affected so differently. Please keep these families and communities in your prayers for a quick recovery of their homes and the ability to salvage those things necessary and important to them.
No comments:
Post a Comment