Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa relief

“And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone”. Titus 3:8

On October 28, 2025, about 1:00pm, Hurricane Melissa made land fall in southern Jamaica near Black River as a category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185mph. About 90% of the roofs in the coastal town on Black River were ripped away. Areas of impact also lost electricity, experienced flooding from the rain and storm surge.

On February 28, 2026, – 4 months later – I arrived in Montego Bay with a team of 18 from North Carolina, 2 from Virginia, 1 from Georgia and 1 from Texas. We were serving with North Carolina Baptist on Mission and we were there to replace roofs. But we did so much more. We brought hope and encouragement and to three people we brought the promise of everlasting life.

The first home we worked on belonged to Mary. Mary is blind due to a cataract surgery that went wrong. She was home with her two young grandchildren when the storm hit. Even with all she has been through she is still praising the Lord. We replaced her roof, some of the siding on her house. Two days later we returned to replace a window. She shared that the night before when it was raining, she was rejoicing about the sound of the rain on the tin roof and she did not have to move her bed to avoid leaks.

The second house we worked on was the home of Vinroy. The first day, Vinroy helped unload supplies from the truck and remove old tin from the roof with a smile on his face. As we worked on removing the damaged tin and replacing with new, several neighbors would come by and express their gratitude for helping him.

At this location I met Vera Mahew. She lived next door and had a yard full of an amazing variety of plants. I ventured over to ask if I could look at her garden. Vera is an 83 year old widow who rode out the storm with her house help, Jocelyn. She said that was the strongest storm she had ever experienced. When the eye of the storm passed over, she said it was completely white and you couldn’t see anything. She was fearful of trees falling on her home but none did. Afterwards, it was 2 months before power was restored. Having been through Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, I could relate to her experiences.

I always enjoy traveling on mission with others I did not know beforehand and witnessing who God brings together to be His hands and feet. We had an excellent team where many were gifted and skilled, from being on the roof removing damaged tin, measuring new pieces needed, and securing the new tin, to those on the ground measuring and cutting new materials, holding ladders for safety and passing up tools and water.

“But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” Eph. 4:7, 12

Some of our team looked for other ways to serve. For the next 2 days as the roof was being replaced, the “ladies brigade” would hand out hot meals in the neighborhood. The contract with the place we were staying included them providing lunch to job site but because of the heat we preferred peanut butter sandwiches. So we would take the meals and distribute to others. People were welcoming and willing to talk to us because of the help we were giving their neighbor. We met a young mother with a 4 month old baby struggling to make a living while the father was in jail. We met a young man inflicted with congested heart failure. He has a young son 10 months old. His aunt asked the ladies to pray for him. On the second day, we returned with 2 men to talk with him, share the gospel, and he, his wife, and aunt surrendered to Jesus.

Praising God for the lives we have impacted in Jamaica. From providing new roofs to improve living conditions, and visiting with neighbors, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.