Recent flooding in Central America has left hundreds dead and thousands homeless.

In El Salvador, floodwaters swept away entire crops of corn, beans and rice, devastating many small farmers.

Families fled as the rain and swollen rivers engulfed their homes.

More than 6,000 people found safety in emergency shelters, but when the floodwaters overwhelmed shelters, nearby evangelical churches opened their doors.

"We value it highly. We appreciate it greatly, and that's the supportive spirit of the evangelical churches," said Jiquilisco Mayor David Barahona.

"The pastors have had a great spirit of love for their neighbor. And we have a lot of evangelical churches that are functioning as shelters," he added. "Besides that, the pastors have joined in with their families, their wives, to care for our brothers."

"To see people who were flooded out in the lower Lempa. They were cold. We really couldn't resist," explained Elim Church pastor Millan Chorro. "This is a time when you don't work with the mind, but you work with the heart."

Relief organizations, including CBN's Operation Blessing, distributed food bags full of beans, flour, corn, salt and rice.

Doctors provided medical care to critical patients and emergency packages to families.

Rebuilding will take time.

The flooding affected about 278,000 farmers in El Salvador.

Find out how you can help Operation Blessing International's disaster relief programs around the world and here at home.