Venezuelans have been sorting through mountains of debris after two catastrophic earthquakes rocked the country on June 24. The death toll has risen to over 3,500 people, and many families are still searching for their loved ones.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains are on the ground in this South American nation, bringing God’s peace in the midst of intense pain and uncertainty.
Already, lives are being changed by the Lord’s grace.
Since arriving in the area, chaplains have prayed with over 300 people, including Carmen,* whose 77-year-old mother, Ana,* was seriously ill prior to the earthquakes. Ana began receiving care in a La Guaira emergency field hospital after much of the city was destroyed.
Carmen had shared the Gospel with her mom many times over the years, but she continually rejected it, causing tension between the two. Now, Ana was close to death.
That’s when two chaplains, Mike Wingo and Delia Ramon-Jones, came to visit the multi-tent hospital. They comforted and prayed with Carmen, who was by her mom’s side, and later that night, they were called back when Ana’s health took a turn for the worse.
Approaching her bedside, Delia asked Ana if she could share some Good News with her about Jesus. She explained how God loves her and wants to give her eternal life through faith in Jesus as her Saviour. When Delia asked Ana if she wanted to accept Christ by faith, she responded, “Yes, Jesus!”
Chaplains described a noticeable change in the elderly woman’s countenance, from anguish to complete peace. Ana passed away before midnight.
Although Carmen is now mourning the loss of her mother, she’s also praising the Lord for His amazing gift of salvation—and the hope she now has of seeing her again, forever.
Will you pray for Venezuelans as they wrestle with overwhelming grief? Ask God to cover them with His love and peace and use these chaplains to encourage believers and draw many others to Himself.
*Names changed to protect privacy.
