MDR Update: September 5, 2017

The September 5th update from the BWM regarding MDR’s work following Hurricane Harvey, and in anticipation of Hurricane Irma.

SEPTEMBER 5:

Harvey:

From Kent Laza of the Unity of the Brethren in Texas on Tuesday, September 5:
The biggest concern is going to be the Good Shepherd Moravian Church in Port Arthur.  The church had about 3 feet of water in it and they have lost their piano, organ, pews, carpeting and probably walls.  Many of the members also had water in their houses and are presently staying in shelters until other arrangements can be made for temporary housing.  The other churches we have in the Houston area were generally unaffected although a few members have been displaced due to water (and chemical plant explosions).   Power outages are still common in parts of Houston and in the Port Arthur area.  Cell phone communications are spotty and it is difficult to get information from the area about specific needs.

The immediate need is for short term housing.  We have offered our Hus School Encampment facility in Caldwell if any of our members would like to come, but we haven’t had any takers yet.  We will continue to follow up and see what else can be done to address immediate needs.  Longer term needs are a little easier to anticipate.  Most of the members in Port Arthur are Nicaraguan immigrants and likely didn’t have flood insurance so most are going to be on their own to rebuild the house and replace the furnishings.  That means monetary donations and work crews are going to be needed.

Irma:

From Rev. Dr. Cortroy Jarvis (Chairman of the PEC, EWI Province) on Tuesday, September 5:
We in Antigua and Barbuda are rushing to completion all preparations for the onslaught of dangerous Hurricane Irma. Irma has strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane as it bears down on the Leeward Islands and is expected to rake through Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St. Maarten, the US and British Virgin Islands beginning this evening. The hurricane has now strengthened to 180 MPH. Antigua and Barbuda is expected to take a direct hit from this dangerous Hurricane. This is uncharted grounds. We have never faced a hurricane of this magnitude.

Irma became the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of mexico on record on Tuesday morning according to the National Hurricane Centre.

We request your prayers. God be praised as we pray for His protection.