Please pray for San Lorenzo

We are having very difficult times in San Lorenzo.  There are multiple armed groups here that are now basically at war with one another.  Over the past months we have experienced an increase in the violence among these groups, but it has risen to a whole new level over the past 10-14 days.  A couple of specific events are responsible for the heightened tensions.

The almost nightly gun battles are taking their toll.  Businesses and restaurants close early, hoping to avoid whatever conflicts will happen each night.  These groups have impressive weapons and are sometimes armed more heavily than the police.

All of us can hear the gunfire at night, as the battles take place in almost every neighborhood in town.  It often sounds like they are right outside our walls.  Dámarys, Piedad and I are at a slightly lower risk of damage to our person or property, as the three of us live on the Clinic property and have the advantage of cement walls all around us.  The remainder of our staff do whatever they can to protect themselves from the gunfire – which includes hiding in a bathroom (because it is the most central room in the house), lying down on the living room floor with one’s entire family, hiding under beds…

This week they have broken down doors and entered homes by force, looking for specific individuals, some of whom are on “hit lists.”

Today – before noon – one of our employees saw a large pick-up truck full of heavily armed men come into town.  There was a tremendous battle right outside one of the schools, and the teachers and students were trying to hide under desks and on the floor to avoid the gunfire.  Parents were frantic to get their children out of the school buildings.

I don’t know what is going to happen over the next few days – and I don’t know how these groups are going to be reined in.

Please pray with us for safety at the Clinic, safety for our staff – and for all of San Lorenzo…and for wisdom and diligence on the part of the appropriate authorities to know what to do.

Thank you!