Communication with the church in Puerto Rico has been difficult following Hurricane Maria, especially in the western part of the country. However, Carmen Nuñez Reyes, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) Coordinator in the West District sent the following report via Paquita Bido, area NCM coordinator.
September 28, 2017
One week after Hurricane Maria swept over Puerto Rico, the havoc that it left and the atmospheric phenomenon has not allowed us to find out the complete picture in each of the churches in the Puerto Rico West District. We have been in contact with District Superintendent Ramon Sierra and his wife, Blanca Campos, and they are both well. They shared information about a few of the church structures in the area. The Source of Life Church in the Los Caños sector of Arecibo is one of the most significantly affected. Telephone service is very limited. Few supplies or relief workers have arrived in the area. Few people in Puerto Rico have telephone service. As of now, 30% of communication systems are active.
There is much need for drinking water, gasoline, and generators for those who have medications that need to be refrigerated and have no way to do so. The authorities say it will be six months before electricity is restored. The lines are never-ending to purchase gasoline and food, and the wait causes desperation. There are still families in the Church of the Nazarene who have not heard from their extended families and but cannot use their vehicles to check on them because of the gasoline shortage.
This week we have shared the blessing that God has given us to have a generator. Three families along with ours have been able to have their refrigerators on during the day. We also offer water from our home to people who need it since we have service during the day. Also, we have helped with medicines and baby formula for families in need.
We thank God because up to now we have not learned of a single loss of life within our Nazarene family. We need you to continue to cover us with your prayers. We know and understand that God has something new for this country. In the beginning it was difficult to see in the middle of the storm, but our faith is cemented in the God who makes all things new. Thanks be to God because we know that we can count on our Nazarene family throughout Mesoamerica and across the world.
Blessings, Sister Carmen N. Núñez Reyes
NCM Coordinator, Puerto Rico West District
