Mesoamerica Communication recently received the following update from missionary Steve Pettit about a chance encounter with a Tropical Storm Erika survivor in Dominica: 

Yesterday, Hiram and I, along with one of our pastors, Claude Henderson, went to a local store to purchase bulk food for Claude’s church and community. We spent about $1,000 on rice, water, beans, tuna, sardines, and other bulk foods. Later in the day, I returned to the same store to ask for empty boxes so my family could use them to pack our belongings. We are being forced to move due to the landslide that hit our house. Anyway, I asked the young man at the door if he had any boxes. He remembered us buying food earlier and gladly gave me all the empty boxes he had. As I began to ask him questions and get to know him as a person, I learned he was from Petit Savahn, the community of 700 that was totally wiped out and left uninhabitable forever. He said he and his wife were relocated to town with his cousin. They lost their belongings and a few relatives in the storm. I asked if he and his wife had enough to eat and drink. He said no and that they are an added burden on his cousin, who they moved in with. I was able to give him a full box of food that we had purchased earlier for the other community. And we used one of the boxes he had given me to move our family. People are people and many of them have needs. We only need ask how we can help. I was so happy and honored to give him some hope.

How to help

Pray

Pray for church leaders and the Pettit family as they lead the disaster response efforts. Pray for access to food and safe water on the island. Pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones, vulnerable children and families, and churches working to meet needs in their communities.

Give

Churches and individuals around the world can support disaster response efforts by giving to the Erika Response Fund. Donations will be used to meet immediate needs, including water, food, and shelter, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

To send donations by mail:

In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to: 

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

Be sure to put 125334 in the Memo area.

In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:

Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

Be sure to put 125334 in the Memo area.

For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Erika Response fund.

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region