Relief work in Puerto Rico continues, with up to 200 bags of relief food and supplies distributed each month, and over a dozen and a half roofs repaired or in process. The total number of bags of relief supplies distributed so far is just shy of 2000. Our outreach classes, aimed at providing fellowship and job training for local residents, have touched over 200 individuals in the last few months.
In Mayaguez, English classes include a faithful conversational group which meets weekly. William Torres leads a short game each week which has added a lot of laughter to the classes. Relief food packing happens at CARD (our disaster centre) on Tuesdays. One photo below shows boxes of non-perishable items which were received from donors in Wisconsin. These items were added to the usual items (rice, beans, devotions, etc) in the relief bags. These particular bags will be delivered next week to the community of “Dulce Labios” (trans. Sweet Lips!) The food that is purchased and put into the relief bags comes from donations given to LCMS Disaster Response.
Below see photos of Mary Jean and Felix at their home. A video of Mary Jean has been posted on Facebook. They used to have a large, old tree next to their house, which was also a native species, protected by the Puerto Rican authorities and impossible to legally cut down. Mary Jean and Felix were prepared for the hurricane. They had a hotel reserved and were preparing their departure when the tree came down, trapping them inside their bedroom. One of the photos shows Mary Jean in the bedroom with her hands above her head – showing how far the roof had fallen in. They stayed on their bed as the water rose – a line is still there on the wall. They were trapped for 24 hours.
When they had been rescued and living in another residence, neighbors stole the home’s doors and front windows, and destroyed their other possessions. FEMA did give them money, which they used to rebuild the cement walls and place the wood beams for the roof, but it wasn’t enough. They thank God for sending help through LCMS Disaster Response which will help them with the final steps needed to complete their home. At first Mary Jean said, “I don’t know why you came to us, or why you are helping us.” The Pastor reminded her that everything comes from God. We thank God.
They say they will come to church with us. Please pray that they do. Mary Jean says she is 70, and hasn’t been in a church since she was 18.
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- Studying English
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- Laughter, the best medicine!
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- Relief supplies received
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- Marie-Jean and Felix
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- House destroyed
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- How far the roof collapsed
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- Beams in place
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- With Pastor Maita
