Dundee church mission in Guatemala turns into recovery effort after volcano eruption

DUNDEE (FOX 13) - A Florida church’s mission trip to Guatemala switched gears after the Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday. 

At least 65 bodies have been recovered from the mud and ash, and thousands have been evacuated to emergency shelters as efforts to locate survivors continue. A group of 15 volunteers from two Florida churches left on Saturday for a mission trip to Antigua to build homes for families in Antigua, but ended up being part of the volcano recovery efforts the next day.

“They were just having a great Sunday afternoon and then all of a sudden it started to rain ash,” Kendra Diaz describes.

Diaz is the Children’s Director for the Church on the Hill in Dundee, and has been in contact with the mission team with the help of Facebook.

“Everyone has to wear surgical masks so they’re able to breathe,” she said. 

The mission team is staying about 25 miles away from the site of the eruption. They plan to finish their trip as planned, with hopes of returning on Saturday. 

“According to our knowledge, the airports are closed," she said. "So, currently they’re just down there doing the Lord’s work until they can come home.”