Displaying items by tag: Hurricane Maria

Category 4 Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico in September 2017 and paved the way for revival. Puerto Rican George Santiago returned from the US in summer 2017. Two months later Hurricane Maria turned the mountain stream into a raging river, the town was in shambles without access to food or water, the people were paralysed. Through Southern Baptists, he provided food, water and even washing machines. People asked him ‘Why are you doing this?' His answer included sharing the Gospel. Since the storm, at least 50 people have come to Christ and Santiago has started what he calls a ‘baby church’ for new believers. It's all evidence of God's master plan at work. ‘He placed us in Puerto Rico at the right moment, the perfect moment for a church to give birth,’ he said. Santiago is not alone. Maria has paved the way for enormous spiritual growth in the region.

Despite being susceptible to devastating weather, the island of Dominica has a thriving banana industry that drives much of the economy, but not one tree, village, street, or person was spared the terrifying effects of Hurricane Maria. One of several devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean in September, Maria blasted the tiny island as a Category 5 storm. Communications are down. Drinking water is scarce. Over fifteen were killed and many more injured. Many say the devastation on this island is worse than a war zone. Dominica does not possess the means or infrastructure to rebuild after such a catastrophe. Though the majority claim Christianity (primarily Catholicism), nominalism is rampant, yet we praise God that evangelicals have experienced great growth, from 2% of the population in 1970 to 17% in 2010!

Dominica’s prime minister said, ‘We have lost all that money can buy’ after Hurricane Maria made landfall there on 19 September. Two days later rescue teams were struggling to reach the first victims stranded without power, running water or communications. Sadly, Maria moved along a similar track to Irma, the hurricane that devastated areas two weeks earlier. The military and police on the British Virgin Islands switched from focusing on recovery and cleanup after Irma to preparation for Maria, and started securing safe shelters for residents. Fortunately they were spared the full force. On 21 September, on its way to the Dominican Republic, Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico - the strongest hurricane there since 1928, when 300 people died. Over the coming weeks we can pray for the major relief efforts that will get under way to re-establish communication, restore electricity, and deliver medical aid, food, water, mattresses, clothes and other basic necessities.