Elim Evangelical Church in Alfafar, inaugurated only last September, suffered severe damage after the recent floods in Valencia. The storm left the premises unusable, with more than a meter and a half of water destroying furniture and essential materials. Despite the losses, the evangelical community has received great support from neighbors who have offered to help. Mariana Gálvez, a member of the congregation, expressed her gratitude and excitement at seeing the community’s response.
After a long search for a place to congregate and intense negotiations with the property owner, the congregants were able to rent and set up a space for weekly meetings to grow together in fellowship and getting to know God. The church was inaugurated on September 21, bringing with it great hope for growth and continuity. However, the storm took its toll, as it did on many buildings, homes, and gathering spaces, as well as entire villages that disappeared due to the immense flooding.
The approximately 50 people who met in the the church space are all Latinos from countries, such as Nicaragua, Peru, El Salvador, and Colombia, except for one Spaniard who is also part of the faith community.
According to Religión Digital, “after gathering in apartments and hotel rooms, where they eventually were denied entry as their religious movement grew, it took a landlord willing to rent a space for worship,” Gálvez recalls. She emphasized in her search that their gatherings “are neither disruptive nor noisy, though many people end up labeling us with these adjectives,” admits the Nicaraguan.
However, she was surprised to see that those who initially looked with distrust at the establishment of the church are now working side by side to clean the place and try to salvage some of the furniture that is still unpaid for, such as the chairs. According to Gálvez, they had been hosting breakfasts to raise funds to cover the remaining installments.
Meanwhile, the devastating effects of the storm continue in Valencia and surrounding areas. The need is great, and churches that were not affected have been among those who are actively working to help the victims in every way possible.
Originally published on Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
