Texans on Mission volunteers are providing urgent disaster relief in a devastated region of Jamaica near Montego Bay in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which hit the island nation Oct. 28, causing at least 45 deaths and more than $6 billion in property damage.
TXM Incident Commander Wendell Romans called it “the absolute worst disaster” the team has ever experienced. “Roofs are gone, houses are uninhabitable, and our purpose here is to witness to these people and give them some comfort,” he said after describing the destruction as “catastrophic and overwhelming. The people have no food, no water. It’s just heartbreaking.”
Even so, Romans believes God led the team of 20 volunteers to Jamaica for a reason and trusts their presence will offer TXM’s unique ministry of help, hope and healing.
The volunteers are currently working at a government-run infirmary that suffered severe storm damage. The patients have been relocated to a nearby school gym while the team is working to make the facility safe for their return.
After assessing the destruction and securing approval from local authorities, along with generous donations for supplies, the team began tarping the roof and performing emergency repairs. Their work includes restoring infirmary structures such as the kitchen and administrative areas, alongside an entire wing where sick people are housed.
Beyond construction and repair, TXM volunteers are offering emotional and spiritual support to residents facing profound loss. They are staying at a local Good Shepherd facility known for distributing meals daily to those in need.
“This place distributes food every day to the needy. They also have a dentist’s office, a doctor’s office, and nurses who volunteer,” Romans explained. While staying there, the team also assisted in patching the roofs of their facilities to help ensure its services can continue in the wake of the disaster.
The road to recovery in Jamaica will be long, Romans said, adding he believes it may be years before many residents regain power or are able to fully rebuild their homes. Currently, the presence of the TXM volunteers is bringing stability in the midst of the post-disaster chaos.
Mickey Lenamon, CEO for TXM, said the team’s “hard work to repair critical facilities and offer both physical relief and spiritual encouragement will help devastated communities in Jamaica take their first steps forward. This work reflects the heart of our TXM ministry and this team’s mission as they show up every day with compassion, hope and the determination to stand with people to rebuild their lives.”