North Mexico recently received a devastating impact from Hurricane Odile. The heavy rains and over 200 km/hr. winds left in their way destruction in Los Cabos, La Paz and Ciudad Constitution, among others. The damage on electricity, phone services and potable water and sewage has caused chaos in these cities. Northwest District Superintendent, Brother Jorge Moncada was able to communicate with the churches and begin to mobilize and respond to the call of the victims and fellow Nazarenes. Lots of people joined in the disaster response.
The first report received in the Mexico North Field stated that the church located in Cuidad Constitution had been hit, causing the church and parsonage roof to collapse, the pastor was unharmed, but this affected his living conditions.
The lack of communication in the affected area had not made it possible to coordinate actions by the Compassionate Ministries. However, social networks were an engine of mobilization for help. The churches in North and South Mexico were invited to respond with prayer and offerings for the affected. Beside the brothers and sister from the Northwest District Churches, other districts also responded.
Today, the coordination between the Mexico North Field through Compassionate Ministries and the Northwest District is permanent, through the District Superintendent and District Compassionate Ministries Coordinator Brother Ángel Pérez, who are organizing the logistics collection and delivery and transportation of supplies to the Cabos.
“We appreciate the help of volunteers who are directly involved in the field work, for their time, effort and service to our brethren of the Churches of the Nazarene in Mexico, the United States and our Mesoamerica Regional Director, Brother Luis Carlos Saenz for the immediate support to contingency presented.
We are confident that the work of Christ is redemptive, reconciling and savior, God willing, this devastating crisis offers a great opportunity for each Nazarene to go out to the streets to give hope in Christ impacting the lives of those who lost everything. ”
District Superintendent, Rev. Jorge Ernesto Moncada said the following: “Thank God we were able to deliver food, water and Crisis Care Kits. While we were on this trip our District NCM Director Rev. Angel Perez organized the collection of food and cash among churches…. At the same time, thanks to Mexico North Field NCM, from where resources came to rebuild the roof the parsonage of La Paz and Casa Mission San José del Cabo. Thanks so much to each of the brothers and sisters who have been supporting us in this time of crisis. ”
Information provided by: Brother Cutberto Mario Tenorio, Mexico North Field Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Director.