Pinos Reales, a Christian camp and retreat centre with over 50 years of history, is located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, one of the areas in the Madrid region most affected by what is already considered the largest and most destructive wildfire in Spanish history. It belongs to the Evangelismo en Acción (Evangelism in Action, EEA) ministry.

Ana María Huck Vangioni, a member of the EEA board and current coordinator of Pinos Reales, told Spanisn news website, Protestante Digital that despite the ferocity of the fire, a helicopter piloted by a friend of one of the camp leaders took photos on Monday morning showing that several buildings were still standing.

In addition to these images, a later statement from the EEA stated that someone “took the risk of approaching the site of their own accord, without notifying us beforehand" and provided them with some photos.

“Isn’t that a miracle?”

“Those photos are just a small selection with which we want, above all, to emphasise God’s care and favour”, they say.

“In the face of so much destruction caused by the fire, even though it entered the Pinos Reales site, God has allowed us to escape the flames. Although it has affected many pine trees and vegetation, which will regenerate naturally, it has not affected the buildings. Isn’t that a miracle?”

“Prayer is the most powerful weapon”

The leaders of Pinos Reales say they are “infinitely in awe of and grateful for God’s goodness and mercy”.

“Prayer is the most powerful weapon”,  Ana María told Protestante Digital, which is why she asks “that the Lord protect not only the ministry carried out by Pinos Reales, but above all the lives of many neighbours caught between the different fronts”.

The EEA board is convinced that “everyone’s prayers will be very much needed” and that “we are facing a situation that is impossible for us, but not for God. In His time, everything will be perfect”.

Looking to the future

The authorities have not yet allowed access to the area where the centre is located, but as soon as they do, those in charge at Pinos Reales “will be able to carry out a rough assessment of the damage, as well as ensure, as soon as possible, that the facilities can be used by those who had planned to use them”.

However, “we cannot let our guard down; the emergency continues, the wind direction may change, and the fourth heatwave that has been forecast could make things take even longer”, they warn.

Looking ahead, Ana María believes that “we will certainly need a lot of help to restore this beautiful place, which we have built up little by little over the course of our 51 years of ministry”.

“We have a full booking calendar until mid-December. We made a significant investment in the rehabilitation of the centre, which was closed for nine months. We obtained all the necessary health permits and are happy to be able to provide a service to more than 2,000 people since March, who honoured us with their trust, because serving churches and groups is a ministry for the Lord and His people, a privilege”, she concludes.