Outages, Shortages Plague Puerto Rico Post-Hurricane Maria
Tree and structural damage in Puerto Rico (credit: Caleb Garcia).
The following is a disaster relief update provided by Mary Ann Martinez-Garcia of the Church of God in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria first made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20 (click here for the original report).
Thank you so much for your support and the support of our Church of God family. We really appreciate your prayers!
This has been an unexpected trial period for our people. Even though we live on a tropical island, and storms are common from June to November, this event is unprecedented to this generation. First, Hurricane Irma affected part of the island. Two weeks later, Maria hit us with a fury we haven’t seen in eighty-five years. Fifteen days after the hurricane, 90 percent of the island still has no electricity, no water, no telephone. Thank God, gas distribution is normalizing, which allows better movement of people through the limited routes that are open. As Christians, we see the grace and mercy of our God in the midst of this whole situation.
Last week we began organizing a collection of essential items and clothing for the families from the church and the community that lost everything. This next week we will begin to collect nonperishable food to distribute.
In our local church, we lost the roof over two areas: one, where we kept equipment, materials and tools; the other, where we serve free breakfasts to the community every Sunday. Then thieves came in and stole some of the items. We also lost windows in the office area and water damaged part of the floor and the doors.
Another one of our churches is located in an area that was severely affected. However, we still do not have much information about them because the communication and access is very limited. This weekend or early next week we hope to have some form of contact with the pastors of that area.
Church of God Disaster Relief is collecting funds to send to Puerto Rico. Give today at http://give.jesusisthesubject.org/disasterrelief.
About Church of God Disaster Relief—In crises where an immediate response is critical for relief, Church of God Ministries advances funds in anticipation of a gracious outpouring of donations from churches and individuals. Such advances are made from a limited Disaster Relief Fund maintained by Church of God Ministries for emergency response to disaster. Disaster Relief contributions are utilized to bring relief to those affected by disasters worldwide. Give now at http://give.jesusisthesubject.org/disasterrelief.
