Villahermosa Status Report

We've learned that Villahermosa has recovered amazingly quickly from the floods of early November. Thanks to the beauty of the ever-present concrete with which most buildings are constructed in southern Mexico, clean up was much easier than in hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast states following Katrina. There was no "mucking out," no insulation or sheetrock to pull out....just lots and lots of bleach! Once the waters receded, clean up was a matter of drying out and disinfecting home. For some small wooden structures that had simply washed away, reconstruction (like the original construction) was small and simple. The challenges today revolve around helping with replacement costs for appliances, furniture and clothing that have to be replaced. The Mexican has been passing out vouchers to buy basics and are trying to help businesses recover, many of whom lost their entire inventories.

We did eventually hear back from most of our friends in Tabasco to know that they are all okay. That includes Ana and her family, Pastors Pancho & Joel and their families, Betsy Casola and her family, Karina and her family, and Don Fernando and his family. Thank you for all the ways your churches responded with prayers, contributions and concerns about both those you know and those you simply care about as people affected by the floods. For those of you who know Don Fernando, please continue to keep him in your prayers. He lost all of his inventory in all his stores, recently lost his home in Comoalcalco to a government building project, and is experiencing fairly significant health problems.

For the resiliency of the Tabascaneans and for God's protection over them, we are grateful.