The 2017 hurricane season was particularly severe with three powerful storms causing extensive damage and destruction through large areas of Texas, Louisiana, Florida, San Juan and some islands in the Caribbean and West Indies including Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbuda, and Dominica. The latter two islands were areas that, proportionately, seemed to suffer the highest degree of damage.
Efforts have been made by the Christians and others to recover their houses by gathering salvageable sheeting from what was blown off the houses and buildings, the younger and stronger helping those who are older and less able. This will be a temporary measure as this will need to be replaced when supplies become available. Work is being done to clear the streets of the main center, Roseau, and other towns of the trees and debris left by the raging flood waters. Efforts are also being made to restore water, electricity and communications services. Many torn roads are in need of repair.
Agricultural resources have been depleted as vegetable, banana, plantain, and citrus fruit crops have been ruined. Many grocery markets and warehouses were destroyed, and looting was rampant after the storm. The population is now dependent on international and outside sources of aid to provide food and other vital products. The extremely high winds stripped the island of its green foliage and decimated its forests, depriving the country of the beautiful features that contributed to a valuable tourist trade. A long period of recovery is anticipated with many challenges ahead for the Christians and others in this little island country.
We will value the prayers of the Lord's people of the Lord's people for God's preserving grace, enabling and support in the difficult circumstances being faced by the saints in Dominica. Please pray, as well, for a spiritual awakening and salvation in the lives of the many souls without the Saviour.
Autumn 2017
Written by Ken and Doris Taylor - West Indies
ken.doris.taylor@gmail.com