Heavy rain over Curahuasi
A major Diospi Suyana event in the Plaza de Armas. The clouds are getting darker and darker. But the outdoor happening can just about be completed. Then the first drops. Suddenly a storm breaks out and the heavy rain continues for 35 minutes. Tens of thousands of cubic meters of water poured over Curahuasi, the amphitheatre and the tent city. It is a matter of minutes and deep pockets form on the heavy new tent roof. Will the tarpaulins tear? Soon the area in front of the stage is under water. The equipment is covered in a flash and two pumps are running continuously. The first one soon runs hot and gives up the ghost. The second becomes clogged with dirt and the technicians have to take the unit apart.
Despite the storm, workers are climbing up in several places. Hoses are used to suck up the water. The rain continues. Producer Tito Rojas and David Chavez, head of technology, look worried. “If we turn up the power now, the moisture could electrify the entire amphitheater.
At around 6:20 p.m., we stand together in a group of employees. The end of the evening is looming. What a depressing end to a great festival. “We just have to try!” – A good 1,500 young people have now gathered in the amphitheater. Many of them are soaked. They are witnessing a spectacle that they have probably never seen before. The rain pours down mercilessly. The thunder roars. The ground in front of the stage is under water and a company of volunteers pumps and pushes the masses of water in front of them towards various drains.
Ruben Bereswill has taken off his jacket and is working feverishly on pumps and tubes. Urologist Benjamin Zeier walks barefoot through the amphitheater and coordinates the disaster response. The municipal power grid fails and one of our generators starts up. Its low hum is almost soothing in this chaos.
Ich melde mich auf der Bühne zu Wort. Meine Zunge klebt mir irgendwie am Gaumen. Die Technik bleibt ausgeschaltet, aber über einen kleinen batteriebetriebenen Lautsprecher bleibe ich für die meisten hörbar. “Wir wissen nicht, ob das Abendprogramm stattfinden kann. Lasst uns Gruppen von 5 – 10 Personen bilden und beten, dass der Regen aufhört!” Die Jugendlichen stellen sich in Kreisen auf und beten. Oben im Medienzentrum tun die Mitarbeiter das Gleiche. Auch das Seelsorgeteam versammelt sich in seinen Zelten und faltet die Hände. Beten nicht aus Gewohnheit, sondern aus großer Not.
My cell phone rings. The technicians report that they have to carry out electrical measurements to guarantee the safety of the audience. As I hurry across the site, I pray aloud to myself. “God, why?”
A few minutes later, the rain stops. The clean-up continues. I talk to the music groups Ayrton Day and Funky. The musicians understand that we are in an exceptional situation. Decisions have to be made every minute. The outcome remains uncertain.
Then silence returns to the sky. In the amphitheater, the crew starts up the equipment. Ayrton Day enters the stage with his musicians. Despite the downpour, a few Curahuasinos actually make their way to the large semicircle. The technology seems to be working. No short circuits. But many settings need to be recalibrated.
What an evening. The highlight of the festival. When Funky rocks out on stage, countless young people sing along at the top of their lungs. The jumping and bouncing warms everyone up again. And the 4000 or so people in the auditorium are completely blown away.
The last sound and the last photo. Missionary doctors John and Karina Pereyra take the microphones. Dr. Klaus John says what many are thinking: “At half past six we all prayed that God would save the evening. He did it. We honor God for that!” – His wife continues: “We have a great God. Come back next year for the 5th festival!” Karina Pereyra says the closing prayer. It comes from the bottom of her heart. Everyone feels it instinctively.
Luz en los Andes will remain unforgettable for everyone. Concerts at their best, workshops at their best and two thunderstorms that brought us to the edge of our strength.
Most of the buses leave at midnight and set off in all directions. What a drama in Curahuasi. And what a gigantic media opportunity for our mission! Never before has a Diospi Suyana festival had such a broad impact. 4.362 million views on social media speak for themselves. Added to this is the live broadcast via our 12 radio towers in five states. Our office registered 4,515 paid registrations. Guests came from every state and from other countries.
Luz en los Andes – light in the Andes. The expression was not just a catchphrase. Faith in Jesus Christ was heard by millions. The festival will undoubtedly go down in Peru’s history as one of the most important events in 2026. Soli Deo Gloria / KDJ
Benjamin Zeier (without shoes) on his way to the swimming pool
The video of the 3rd festival day. Pay attention to the scene with the cell phones. The emergency generator was switched on during the break on day 3 and it went dark on the site for a few seconds. The thunderstorm is raging. You can hear the thunder and see the lightning in the background.
