Up from the Ashes—Surviving the Wildfire

It was a wildfire unlike any other in the history of Chile and Pastor Mango and his wife, Maria, were lucky to escape with their lives.  

“It was so quick, so quick that it took seconds,” Maria explained.  “The fire quickly spread and moved around behind the houses consuming everything.  We heard lots of firetrucks and then the sound of helicopters.” 

Afterwards, when the couple returned to their house, they weren’t prepared for what they found.     
“I got here with my husband and it was shocking. I think no one expected it,” she said, her voice quivering.  “I saw my two neighbors. They were dead there below my yard.”  

These photos taken by Maria show what was left of their home and belongings.

"We thought, how can we possibly start over after we had spent so much time and money building our home that was destroyed,” she lamented.  

In the days following the fires, Operation Blessing’s Disaster Relief Team was onsite.  First, we provided emergency meals and clean water, along with medical care for those displaced by the fires. 
Then, thanks to you, we built Pastor Mango and Maria a new house to replace the one that was lost. 

“When Operation Blessing arrived and told us they would build a new house for us, it was a like a light in the darkness,” Maria said, gratefully.  “It was like angels came to this place." 

Within a short time, they moved from the tents where they had been sleeping into their new home.  

“I now tell everyone:  I was blessed by angels, angels that came through Operation Blessing. Thank you!” she told us with joy.   
 
 

What a beautiful example of how CBN partners share the love of Jesus around the world with people in need! If you’re not yet a partner, we invite you to join us today. Help bring God’s love through initiatives like clean water wells, medical missions, feeding programs, and so much more—all in the name of Jesus! Join us today and become a part of what God’s doing through CBN partners.