Absalon Vasquez -- tears and prayers

So, I don't remember exactly when I first wrote about Absalon Vasquez. But I wrote about some unrest that was taking place due to the dueño (owner... who is a judge and so of course is going to have papers saying the land is his) saying he was going to take the land by force. That was about a month ago. Maybe a little longer than that. Everything had settled out and was pretty much back to normal. Until yesterday that is.

I was supposed to go last night with Jorge and Carola to spend time in the barrio. But they called saying it was too dangerous. I found out today what was happening. I saw pictures today of what was happening.

The dueño showed up again. And this time he did take the land by force. In a matter of 4 hours, 80 families were forced to leave their homes with whatever they owned and could carry. There were police there, but they were there only to protect the dueño. There were men showing up who were supposedly there to help, but in reality they were just there to rob the families. The electricity and light cables were all cut. And then a dozer came in and started knocking down the buildings. There's a jardin (a kindergarten) that had children in it at the time and the dueño's people made the children and teacher get out and then they knocked the building down with everyone watching. 80 families saw their homes knocked down. Many of those homes were made of concrete and brick (not just straw and cardboard like many in the barrios). Everything was reduced to rubble. And the police did nothing. Jorge and Carola were there to help in whatever way they could. It was dangerous for them and would have been 10x as dangerous if Skylar and I had gone with them as gringos. I saw the pictures today that Jorge took and sat in tears (trying to hide them of course). Some of the families in our church lost their homes. So many now have no where to go.

Thankfully the church in Absalon Vasquez and Alto Salaverry is a strong one. And they have gathered together to help in any way possible. Some have opened their homes. Many have attended (and are attending) meetings with Jorge about what to do now. And they are all standing strong as one body, bearing each others burdens.

I am not sure what is going to happen now. I am hoping to get back out there next week to visit, help, take pictures and pray with the families. I know the dueño of the upper section (every barrio in the city is divided into smaller sections) of Absalon Vasquez, the section where we have a church building and a lot of families living, is wanting to sell some of the land but is willing and ready to meet with the people to come to a healthy resolution rather than just forcing them out like the other dueño did (there is actually a meeting planned for tomorrow morning). I am scared and saddened for the 80 families who have lost their home. I can only pray that they will find a new place to live and that things will settle out quickly. Please pray. Please pray that the families will be safe. Pray that our team and church there can show Jesus as the light and an anchor of peace and calm. Pray that the danger level will subside so that I can return to visiting with everyone there. Pray that GOD will be seen despite the heartache.