KANSAS CITY, Kan. — People from one Kansas City church came together Sunday to worship at a temporary location just three days after their church building collapsed.
Members of the Rios De Agua Viva Church felt it was important to praise God this week, even if they had to hold services at another church in Kansas City, Kansas.
“It’s a miracle,” said Isabel Leal, a mother whose five-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, escaped the crumbling building unhurt.
More than 60 people, most of them children attending Vacation Bible School, made it out safely when the 113-year-old church building on Independence Avenue partially collapsed.
“Something worse could’ve happened but clearly it was the hand of God,” said Victor Prado, vice president of the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus.
“I was just looking at the building, just what was left of it and I was just in disbelief,” Leal said. “It was just a shock to think that our kids were in there.”
Her little girl’s fear faded and a smile returned when she was once again surrounded by friends Sunday at a different church on loan until they can find a new place to praise.
“You know we don’t always understand why God does what he does, but he knows,” Leal said. “And we trust that and we’re just absolutely grateful that everybody’s okay.”
Leal said Sunday’s service was a time to come together to be grateful for what they have, rather than dwell on what they’ve lost.
“It’s important to keep going,” she said. “It’s not going to stop us.”
Pastor Herminio Leal told FOX 4 their old building has yet to be demolished, but it’s likely they’ll have to find a new permanent home. Until then, they will have to find a new place to meet each week.
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