FCFI Rapid Disaster Response — Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica
Outside of Pastor Dorant Brown’s church
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
Our FCFI team of three from Ohio, together with a long-time Jamaican pastor partner, were on the ground recently in the hardest-hit southwestern coastal communities of Jamaica. What they witnessed was staggering. Not only are 80–90% of roofs on homes and buildings gone, but many cement and block walls are cracked, compromised, and no longer structurally sound. Entire structures will need to be torn down and rebuilt from the foundation up.
Across these communities, families are experiencing near-total loss of belongings due to water and wind damage. What little remains is at risk of being looted if homeowners leave their properties. The team encountered an extreme shortage of tarps and coverings, many have been forced to choose between protecting what they have left and finding shelter from the elements.
Although the southwest region is the hardest hit, the damage extends across much of the island. Millions of residents have lost roofs, windows, belongings, and in many cases, entire walls. FCFI believes it is a moral imperative to stand with our brothers and sisters in Jamaica during this crisis. Because of this, we are mobilizing volunteers, resources, and financial support to respond to Hurricane Melissa in a major and urgent way.
Inside of Pastor Dorant’s church. The roof is gone
Our team is also reporting severe shortages of clean water, spending hours waiting in lines at the few places where water is available. While the water filters they brought are helping, the scarcity of water sources remains a significant challenge.
FCFI has served farmers and pastors in Jamaica since 2002. Now, these same partners urgently need our support.
One example is Pastor Dorant Brown. Years ago, FCFI helped build his church and parsonage. Today, both buildings have lost their roofs and windows, and all contents have been ruined.
Pastor Dorant’s parsonage which lost roof and windows on hill to the side of the church
What the FCFI Team Is Doing Now
The team in Jamaica:
- Distributed 100 tarps and other emergency supplies carried in.
- Conducted a thorough assessment to determine the most effective use of donor funds to help families rebuild and recover.
- Recommend what supplies should be shipped in a container — including roofing materials and other construction essentials.
Please Pray For:
- Safe travel and protection for our upcoming teams being sent down
- Wisdom in making careful decisions, especially about what materials to ship
- Discernment to determine where FCFI can make the greatest impact
- Pastors, families, and communities facing trauma and overwhelming loss
- Mobilizers gathering materials for the shipping container
Ways You Can Help Right Now
Give
100% of all donated funds will go directly to Jamaica relief.
Volunteer
Join a team once the assessment is complete, and/or help gather donated materials to be shipped in a container.
To Get Involved or Give Toward Hurricane Relief — Jamaica
Dan Janzen, Executive Director
📧 dan@fcfi.org
📞 616-676-6684
🌐 www.fcfi.org
(Please mark gifts “Hurricane Relief — Jamaica” on a separate note inside your letter.)