Hurricane Dean Hits Mexico & the Caribbean
 Hurricane Dean moved over southern Jamaica on August 19, directly hitting Kingston, the capital. On August 22, the eye of the hurricane passed just north of the Belize-Mexico border. The devastating winds did not respect the international delineation and caused destruction in both Belize and the Yucatan peninsula.
Both areas suffered tremendous material losses.
Jamaica East District Superintendent Rev. Ron Grey reported that 16 Nazarene families on the Jamaica East District lost their roofs destroying both their homes and their possessions. The Treadlight Church of the Nazarene’s roof caved in as well.
In the Jamaica West District, Rev. Lionel Brown reported that the storm completely destroyed the Mandeville Church of the Nazarene’s roof and left the District Education Center with standing water. Large numbers of homes around Mandeville also lost roofs, and many banana and coconut crops are severely damaged.
In Belize, District Superintendent Rev. John Tzib said that the wind damaged several Belize Nazarene church buildings and parsonages in the Altamira, Corozal, and New Jerusalem congregations. The Nazarene school in Sarteneja lost the auditorium roof.
“The northern part of our country was severely affected,” Tzib reported. “There was great loss in the agriculture sector, since fruit trees and crops were severely damaged. Thank God there were no fatalities.”
The storm will have long term effects in these areas since people lost much of their crops and fruit trees, a main source of income for many in Belize.
Three Nazarene districts in Mexico are located within the path of Hurricane Dean. All three districts, Olmeca, Gulf, and East, have reported damage to homes and church buildings. Most have lost roofs due to the high winds, and there is still a chance that flooding may occur in various areas. In all, 60 Nazarenes suffered damages and three churches lost their roofs, doors, and windows.
“It will take the church time to recover from the physical damage caused by Hurricane Dean,” World Mission Director Dr. Louie Bustle commented. “Continue to pray for those affected and their recovery efforts.”
Please consider giving to this effort either through donating funds or by making Crisis Care Kits with your family or congregation. For more information about Crisis Care Kits, visit http://www.ncm.org/pdf/cck_instructions.pdf.
Persons and churches wishing to make a donation can mark their checks “Hurricane Dean Response – ACM2006:NCMPRHD1:4002” and mail them to Global Treasury Services, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2007
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using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express- OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
- and mail to:
General Treasurer
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131
- In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
- and mail to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office
will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.
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