August 29, 2007

Greetings from Jamaica following Hurricane Dean,

On Sunday, August 2, 2007, I gave a minute for mission on the topic of generosity at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. I said that without the generosity of others, missionaries would suffer and the Great Commission would be put on hold. Generosity isn’t just about giving money, of course, but also time, talent, and prayer—all the things one can give to assure the mission of the church is carried on.

Storm damage from Hurricane Dean.

I returned to Jamaica on Tuesday, August 14, in time to prepare for Dean. At that point no one knew just what Dean had in store for us. Most people stocked up on the essentials: food, water, batteries, flashlights, etc. Wednesday through Saturday afternoon were calm, beautiful days. But on Saturday evening things began to change.

Sunday morning brought light wind and rain with gusts that took down the power grid in my area. From 10:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. we had high winds and sea swells. The prime minister ordered all power on the island turned off.

At 3:00 it poured rain, and the wind picked up to where I had to close the windows. I could see that the sea was choppy and swollen from my vantage point on the hill. It looked as though the Lord were tipping the earth on its side as the water rose. At 3:30 p.m., Dean arrived. I watch palm trees bend. At 5:30 p.m., the wind split a tree in half in front of the prep school.

Storm damage from Hurricane Dean.

It was a long, windy, dark night, but Monday morning brought a gorgeous day that revealed much damage. My windows had leaked so I mopped up water. My neighbor above me had lost shingles, and it had rained in her bedroom. I walked the area and saw many downed trees, ruined trees, shingles, and other debris. It was not a pretty sight, but it was about what I expected, having endured several hurricanes in my lifetime.

The school looked all right, so I walked down to my church, Immanuel United. It was fine except for several huge old trees that would have to be taken down.

Crews worked all the next week to clean up the island and restore power, water, and all other services.

I had spoken on generosity the week before, but I witnessed it here in Jamaica. People banded together and worked to help strangers as well as friends, no matter what or when. I saw people let others use precious phone minutes to call family, and I saw businesses encouraging employees to miss work to clean up in the aftermath.

A member of Immanuel United twice gave me ice so I could have a cool drink. Her power was restored several days before mine. She couldn’t stand it that she had lights and I didn’t. When my cell phone company’s equipment was down, someone let me use their phone to call the States to let people know the condition of things.

The use of offices, copy machines, and many other items were offered for free, and more are available daily. Some offering such help are businesses, but many are individuals giving of themselves. In many cases, those giving so generously haven’t even finished their own cleanup.

Truly, I have seen generosity from the point of view of the missionary preparing to go into service and from the point of view of the missionary in the field who sees poor and rich alike reach out to each other in time of need. It is a reassuring sight and illustrates the goodness of man, something we do not see often enough.

Four people died due to Hurricane Dean, and many are homeless or have damaged homes. Many lost cars, many lost everything. Hurricane Dean has left its mark on this beautiful island. But, Dean’s coming has allowed me to see God’s people unite, to see them pray together and work together, thanking God for what is left and moving forward.

We have an election here next Monday and school starts for the students on the 10th. Many schools haven’t been repaired yet, but will meet anyway. There is much to do, many expenses to meet, and time to heal ahead. From what I see, these loving people know they will make it because of their tremendous faith in God who never fails them. May we all be so faithful.

Pray for Jamaica and her people.

Believing that “with God all things are possible,”

Vicki