This is the rainy season in Ecuador. Due to a weather phenomenon called La Niña, Ecuador has had an extra-long rainy season, and in February, torrential rains began falling on the coastal plains. This has resulted in flooding in many areas where the OMS-related Association of Ecuadorian Evangelical Churches (AIEE) has many rural churches. In fact, some say this is the worst flooding they have seen in 25 years. The province of Los Rios has been affected the most, with 100 percent of the cultivated land in that province under water. Here are some facts about the disaster to date:

• 42 people have died, 8 are missing and 17 have been injured.
• 13,347 Ecuadorians have been evacuated to 321 shelters; more than 315,000 people have been affected.
• Complicating the situation, it will be impossible to begin the normal school year in April since nearly 20 percent of the educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
• More than 22,000 houses have been reported damaged.

OMS International has helped with a donation of $1,500 that was distributed to 100 families in Los Rios province. Alfredo Gonzales, the president of the OMS-related church association, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the donors who have helped with this effort thus far.

Several members of the AIEE visited the home of José Ponguillo, a believer from the affected area. He shared this with them:

I accepted Christ 12 years ago, and I attend the Good Shepherd Church. I live with my wife and four children and have been without work due to the extreme flooding. Just this morning, I prayed to the Lord, asking for help because it was the second day I have not had even a penny to buy food for my household. Then, at 11:00 this morning, Brother Alfredo Gonzales and two others from the church association arrived with bags of food. Our eyes filled with tears as we realized how great was God’s provision through the church and through the generosity of OMS International. Thank you, brother missionaries and those who helped from overseas. May God bless you and repay you for the help you have brought us.

Pastor Alfredo also informs us that three church buildings are seriously damaged due to the flooding, and one church had its tin roof torn off by the hurricane-force winds during the storm.
The rains are expected to continue until May.

OMS has set up a fund to help with relief. These funds will pay for the immediate needs of food and shelter for the affected people in Los Rios province. They will also help with repairs on the damaged church buildings.

By being a part of this relief effort, you will help these struggling Ecuadorians make it through this unusual rainy season. If you would like to donate, please send your gift (write Ecuador Flood Relief #402070-08G902 on the memo line of your check) to our donation processing center:

OMS International, Inc.
PO Box 1648
Monument CO 80132-1648

Or you can donate online with your credit card by using the form below.