This mud slide slid right over the road and down to the lake.

Destruction of the highways and bridges was a common sight.

When Hurricane Stan hit, hundreds died in Guatemala and southern Mexico, and hundreds more were missing and feared dead in a wave of mudslides that left entire villages buried in mud.

Areas likely to contain as yet unfound bodies were covered with lime.

With ongoing rain, fresh mudslides were encountered on the roads.

Our staff and volunteers were on hand to assist the Guatemalan government with aid distribution to severely hit areas. Due to incidents of random violence, our teams had to have army protection to travel into affected areas, as desperate people were raiding many aid convoys.

Each convoy had to have military escorts and official paperwork.

Unloading provisions in town at a public building still left standing.

To add to the situation, when the hurricane first hit, a large part of our staff were stranded in Southern Mexico, which also took quite a beating. The good news was they were already on hand to help there, and thus did not return to Guatemala City for a month.

Trucks deliver blankets and clothing to two remote towns along the way.

Needy families and children line up to for whatever help could be offered.

And even when they did return to base, there was still not a clear land passage through northern Guatemala and southern Mexico, just temporarily constructed bridges. Over 100 bridges in Mexico and 31 in Guatemala had been washed away.

After repeated attempts to deliver the supplies, a change of plans.

Supplies shared with the needy who were awaiting help and relief.

Lightening had also struck our Casa de Corazones base and knocked out Internet and telephone connections, and power surges later damaged office computers. Gasoline was limited and thus rationed for travel. Despite these challenges, we were able to be a strength and help to others in this time of crisis.