After Hurricane Melissa ravaged Jamaica, Texans on Mission deployed an initial task force to support local partners on the ground as they look to find their way through the destruction to restore and rebuild.
There is evidence of the powerful storm across the island through a number of damaged roofs and homes, flooded roads and piles in the streets containing families’ belongings and other debris.
TXM volunteer and chaplaincy coordinator Melanie Howington and Robert Howington are members of the TXM Emergency Response Team working closely with churches in Jamaica. Recently, the team visited three churches near Montego Bay to meet with pastors, provide immediate aid to families and be a listening ear to those in need.
“Every Jamaican we’ve met has been very kind and gracious to us,” Robert said, but added, “We’re not seeing very many relief groups.
The TXM team scoured local stores to create 250 aid kits in canvas bags, full of food and hygiene necessities. But putting the kits together was no easy feat – store shelves are quickly becoming bare. The kits were then distributed to churches to disperse among those in their community.
While visiting these churches to drop off kits, Melanie and Robert had the chance to spend time with Jamaicans facing life after the storm.
‘You are the church’
Melanie sat down with Nadine and Madine, sisters local to Montego Bay, who are not only trying to piece together life following Hurricane Melissa, but also honor their grandmother who recently passed away. While she didn’t pass due to the hurricane, the timing makes it hard to grapple with all the tragedy at once.
“Nadine was in the church we were visiting to ask the pastor to please let her have her grandmother’s funeral there. It was her church home.” Melanie shared. “But the pastor told her it’s just too damaged.”
This church currently has water damage, broken windows and roof damage – making it unsafe to host a service.
“I reminded Nadine, ‘You are the church. You lost a building, you didn’t lose the church. So wherever you go, have your church to have your service,’” Melanie said.
“She had such a sweet spirit, but was facing a lot of tragedy all at once.”
The TXM team was able to distribute aid kits to these two women and offer a glimpse of hope in a very challenging time.
Enjoying a beautiful breeze
Keisha, a proud mother and grandmother, was sitting quietly in a damaged church. Melanie saw her and knew she needed someone to hear her story.
When Hurricane Melissa rushed into Jamaica, Keisha was sitting outside – she knew the storm was coming, but was enjoying the beautiful breeze during a season that’s typically hot and humid. She was home with her children and grandchildren.
“But then she said it turned into a not-so-beautiful breeze,” shared Melanie. “The windows started shaking, things started flying around. She was trying to hold her things down so she wouldn’t lose them – putting her body weight on them.”
Her 2-year-old grandson was outside with her when a window flew past them and then a tree flew by and struck him in the back. While the hit could’ve been life-threatening, a doctor cleared her grandson.
“It took years to get it [her home], and in one minute, it’s gone,” Keisha explained.
Keisha is like many in the Montego Bay area and across Jamaica. Entire homes and livelihoods washed away with nothing but silt and receding waters left behind. Not only will it take time to rebuild, but it will take time to heal.
The team is continuing to assess needs in the storm’s aftermath and TXM continues to develop response strategies in the Caribbean island nation.
Serving Jamaicans in need through prayer
Following a storm, nothing brings hope and healing like the power of prayer.
There are a few ways you can pray for the teams on the ground in Jamaica now:
- The teams would meet the right people, at the right time, and share the right message.
- For the right doors to be opened for ministry now and in future days.
- That God’s presence would be felt by both those in need and those serving.
“Based on the few people I’ve been able to talk to, they’re all just still in crisis mode. They’re still reeling from it [the storm],” Melanie shared. “The prayer need for them is just that they’d feel God’s presence, know God is there and that they’re not alone. God is walking through this with them.”