Delivering hope in Dominica

On the plane ride to Dominica with LIAT I was browsing through their on flight magazine and noticed an article listing ten things to do while in Dominica. I could not help thinking how much had changed since that article was written, and how long it would take before Dominica would be able to return to some level of normalcy.

Imagine waking up to scenes like this all around your community

Dominicans had received hurricane warnings in the past and, as is the case on numerous occasions, the hurricanes turned at the last minute and they were spared. Many of them did not take the approach of Hurricane Maria as a category 2 hurricane seriously enough to adequately prepare, and even more were not aware that it had rapidly progressed to a category 5 before it made landfall. The results were terrifying - roofs blown off, houses washed away by swollen rivers, collapsed buildings, flooded roads and lives lost. The silence after the storm was deafening. One lady related how she had called her aunt in the middle of the hurricane and told her she didn't think she would make it and if she didn't hear from her afterwards it meant that she was dead. It was not until many days later that she was able to release her aunt from the worry and trauma of thinking that her niece had died during the storm.

This neat pile of wood and galvanize used to be a house

I have responded to disasters before, but this one was different. In previous disasters, there were specific parts of the country which were affected. There were still places where you could have gone to buy supplies, or something cold to drink at the end of a long, hot day. In the aftermath of hurricane Maria, it did not matter how much money you had, where you were working, or what was your status in life. Everyone was brought to the same position - in need of shelter, food and water. Not all the buildings were demolished. There were some which were still standing, and these quickly became a source of refuge for those who didn't have a place to stay. Some who had the means to left as soon as they were able to. In one village we visited, they said most of the young people had left, trying to escape the new reality which was life in Dominica: no electricity, no running water, and no idea of when this would change.

Bare branches, but if you look closely you can see the green buds

But in the midst of the devastation and destruction that is now synonymous with Dominica, there is hope. Throughout this entire trip, we saw the favor of God as He worked on our behalf enabling us to overcome every obstacle we faced in bringing relief to the Dominicans:

When we were checking in at the airport in Trinidad and found our bags were overweight, we explained our mission to the supervisor and she waived the overweight fee.

When we were told that the ferry from St. Lucia to Dominica could not take our bags because the hold was already full, the officials relented and allowed us to take our luggage on board with us. 

When I could not find my boarding pass for the ferry, the Customs official allowed me to go on board to look for it, and did not drag me off the ferry when I didn't find it.

When our advance team arrived without knowing where they would be staying, they were able to secure accommodation free of charge upstairs a church's parish hall that was only a 5 minute drive away from the port, where the majority of our work was being done.

When the battery for our generator needed to be replaced, we were able to find a place that had one even though it was after the curfew hours had ended.

When the left tyre of the bus we were travelling in went over the edge of the mountain road we were on, the driver was skillful enough to get us back on the road, even though it meant reversing uphill while navigating through fallen utility poles.

When certain high officials tried to use scare tactics to get us to hand over our relief supplies to the government for them to distribute, we got assurance from someone even higher than him that his threats would not amount to anything. Furthermore, we were commended by this same official for the great work we were doing in getting relief supplies to the communities needed it the most.

Enjoying a game of dominoes with children who live in the
shelter downstairs the parish hall which was our base

Another way that God showed up was through the connections which were made on this trip. One night a British man who lives in France showed up on our doorstep, looking for a place to stay. His plan was to pitch in tent in the yard, but we knew the characters who were our neighbours so we invited him to stay with us instead. It turned out that he represented an organisation that distributed tents to persons whose houses were destroyed following a disaster. When he learnt about what our group was doing to get supplies to those in need, he decided to donate two of his tents to ITNAC, so we now have an option of a place to stay when we respond to future disasters :D He also took us to the area where he was distributing tents, and when our army heard about it, they visited as well and committed to helping repair houses in that community!

These tents allowed people the option to stay close by while
they repaired their houses, and to keep families together

There were many opportunities to minister to the people of Dominica during our time there. Our medical team of doctors and nurses provided much needed medical relief to a health sector in which the doctors and nurses were as much victims of the hurricane as their patients were. We were able to bless some of the health workers with boxes of food, in addition to helping ease their work load by providing support at the medical clinics. Wounds were bandaged, medication which was lost in the storm was replaced, sick people were treated, and hampers were given to those who attended our clinics. In one of the shelters we visited, the shelter leader was in tears as she shared how much pressure she was under with the limited resources she had. We prayed with her and by the time we left she was laughing - we had not yet given her anything physically because we had no supplies on hand at the time, but we had given her hope.

One of our doctors attending to a man
who had injured his foot

One of the great things about being on the ground after a disaster is seeing the joy and appreciation of the people who you are able to be a blessing to. A box of supplies was addressed to a lady who lived near where we were staying, so when we were unable to get in touch with her via phone, we decided to deliver the supplies to her. She was not expecting it, so she was elated when she received it - she said she felt like it was Christmas. An elder in a church we visited to drop off supplies in two weeks after the hurricane said it was the first time they had received relief supplies since the storm, and that he had just used the last of his supplies and did not know where his next meal would have come from. A visit with a friend who had attended my church while she was studying in Trinidad brought such encouragement and joy to her even in the midst of the challenges she faces now living in a shelter. When our doctors went to do a checkup on an elderly couple who had been living in their bedroom since the rest of their house was destroyed, they said we were angels sent by God.

This sweet lady in a home for elderly
people was so happy when we came to visit

We also saw God's hands in orchestrating the timing of the departure of various members of our team. One of our doctors was supposed to leave by boat on Saturday but it was delayed until Sunday. She accused us of praying that she would stay, but I assured her that God was working all things together for good. Later that day we found out that there was a 6 month pregnant Trinidad lady who needed be airlifted to Trinidad the next day, and they needed a doctor to accompany her, so our doctor got a free ride straight home! Thankfully there were no incidents and the patient and baby are doing fine. Another team member was unable to get a ticket to return when he wanted to, but during the time he stayed he was an invaluable asset to the team in organising things on the port so we knew he was where God needed him to be.

Playing Basket Turnover during Children's Ministry where I
shared the salvation message and taught about the fruit of the Spirit

Another thing that was an encouragement to us during this trip was experiencing the generosity of the Dominican people. When they found out that we were eating crix and tinned food while working so hard to bring relief supplies to them, some of them used their limited rations to prepare hot meals for us. On the way to visit someone at a shelter, we saw someone selling barbecue at the side of the road but when we stopped we realised they only had pork ribs when what we really wanted chicken. When we got to the shelter, we were invited to join them to dinner, which was stewed chicken with potatoes and fresh salad with fruits for desert - the first fruits and vegetables we had received since arriving in Dominica! Another person bought rabbit when we went to do a clinic up in the country and cooked it in a delicious stew for us.

This meal was a welcome change from tinned food

There were difficult times during this trip, but these were overshadowed by the favor we received from God, the friendships which were made, the divine connections which were orchestrated, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are doing what God designed you to do. Dominica has a long road to recovery, but there is hope that comes from keeping God as the focus. One day, Dominica will be restored.

This is the same branch that was in the earlier photo
taken two weeks later

I gave this cutie the toy in her hand.
When I asked her what is her favorite
toy, she said, "This one"

Spectacular sunset at the end of a long day

Thank you for all who have given to help the people of Dominica. Please continue to pray for them, that they not lose hope or faith in God, in spite of their difficulties. If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts, there is a need for solar appliances (lamps, fans, torch lights) and clothes and toiletries for newborn babies, in addition to dry goods such as flour, rice, pasta, milk and sugar.

Putting together family boxes from
 donations received

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need and has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

1 John 3:17