Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica

On Tuesday, October 28, the island of Jamaica was hit by a monster hurricane named Melissa. The western third of the island had the most devastating impact, with a large percentage of buildings losing their roofs, crops decimated, animals perishing, 70% of the island plunging into darkness because of electricity outages, and 32 human lives lost as accounted for so far. The category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 miles per hour arrived with unprecedented fierceness and wrath in Jamaican hurricane history.

As with everyone in Jamaica's other communities, the Seventh Day Baptist community in Jamaica is experiencing its own bleak hurricane aftermath. From several of the churches, multiple families have lost their roofs, some of them losing their entire homes. At present, up to 10 church buildings have sustained major damage, requiring significant rebuilding. Communities surrounding these churches are experiencing unimaginable conditions.

Pastor Kevin Carter, President of the Jamaica SDB Conference, has described the situation as potentially overwhelming, but he expresses unwavering confidence in the God of restoration. He views this catastrophe as an opportunity for God’s power to be revealed, and for God’s people to be redemptive.

The global SDB community, led by a partnership of the SDB World Federation, the Committee on Social Action and Disaster Relief of the SDB Conference of USA and Canada, and the SDB Missionary Society, is seeking to be responsive to the enormous needs facing our brothers and sisters in Jamaica.

A comprehensive plan and appeal, including ways to help with immediate needs as well as longer-term rebuilding, will be forthcoming and publicized in the days ahead. In the meantime, please pray fervently for those affected by this disaster, and continue to look for ways that you may be led to lend a helping hand.

-Pastor Andrew Samuels

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