Video: Fellowship of Christian Farmers, International Responds to Jamaica Hurricane & Join us on Nov. 14-22 for our 3rd Trip

When a powerful hurricane struck Jamaica, it left behind widespread destruction, damaged homes, devastated farms, and grieving families. Yet amid the devastation, stories of faith, resilience, and hope began to emerge as communities worked together to rebuild.

Farmer Grandby Winston described the hurricane as unlike any storm he had experienced before. Although Jamaica has endured hurricanes in the past, the destruction caused by this storm was far greater. As fierce winds battered his home, Grandby and his brother-in-law fought to keep a large glass door from breaking. For more than two hours, they held a mattress against the door before retreating to a closet where they prayed together while the storm raged outside.

The hurricane’s impact became even more personal when Grandby lost his brother-in-law during the disaster. Like many families across the region, they faced both emotional loss and the challenge of rebuilding their lives.

When residents emerged after the storm, the destruction was overwhelming.

Pastor Audley Black recalled that entire communities appeared crushed by the hurricane’s force. Homes, businesses, churches, and farms had suffered extensive damage, leaving many wondering how recovery could even begin.

Yet even in the midst of devastation, God was opening doors for restoration.

Plants & Plants owner Paul Lee, one of the Caribbean’s leading suppliers of fruit trees, witnessed the community’s needs firsthand. After learning that local families lacked adequate facilities to hold funerals following the hurricane, he felt led to help build a church that could serve as both a place of worship and a source of hope for the community.

What began with very little has rapidly progressed into a facility that is already preparing to welcome worshippers. Community leaders expressed gratitude that Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) partnered with them during this critical season, helping turn vision into reality.

A Different Approach to Disaster Response

FCFI Executive Director Dan Janzen explained that effective disaster response goes beyond providing immediate relief. FCFI seeks to help communities identify opportunities within their own local resources and strengths so they can build “sustained expansion” solutions for the future.

Rather than creating dependency, the ministry encourages individuals and communities to discover how God has already equipped them with resources, talents, and opportunities that can be used for long-term recovery and growth.

Dan Janzen believes that God has blessed every part of the world with tremendous resources. The challenge is often not a lack of resources, but a need for wise stewardship and leadership to develop what local resources and opportunities God has already provided.

This philosophy resonates strongly with local leaders.

Pastor Audley Black emphasized the resilience of the Jamaican people. Rather than sitting back and waiting for help, many are eager to work, create, and build a better future for their families and communities.

Building for the Future

Pastor Dorant Brown, who has been connected with FCFI for more than fifteen years, has witnessed the ministry’s long-term impact firsthand. He values the organization’s commitment to investing in people rather than simply addressing immediate needs and then moving on.

According to Pastor Brown, FCFI focuses on initiatives that create lasting transformation and continue benefiting communities long after disaster relief efforts have ended.

Looking back at the aftermath of the hurricane, he acknowledged that recovery once seemed almost impossible. Yet through faith and perseverance, communities have continued moving forward. He believes that God always has a purpose and a determined outcome, even in life’s most difficult seasons.

For Farmer Grandby Winston, rebuilding remains a daily challenge. Fields must be replanted, livelihoods restored, and communities rebuilt. Yet he continues to move forward in faith, trusting God with the results.

Pastor Audley Black also sees God’s hand at work through the recovery process. While many structures with metal roofs were destroyed during the storm, one building remained standing and is now serving as an important resource for ministry and community outreach.

Faith That Leads to Excellence

Throughout Jamaica’s recovery, one message has remained clear: faith is essential.

It is Grandby’s, faith that provides the strength to endure hardship, rebuild what has been lost, and continue believing that better days are ahead. It is the foundation that sustains communities through difficult seasons and inspires them to keep moving forward.

As FCFI continues partnering with churches, farmers, and community leaders throughout Jamaica, the ministry remains focused on advancing the Great Commission while helping communities discover lasting solutions and renewed opportunities.

As FCFI Executive Director Dan Janzen shared, when people are equipped to pursue God’s purposes and steward His resources well, they do far more than simply survive difficult circumstances.

They excel.

Through faith, stewardship, and God’s provision, Jamaica’s communities are rebuilding stronger than before—offering a powerful testimony of hope in the face of adversity.

Please reach out to Dan Janzen if you are interested in joining the next trip to Jamaica Nov. 14-22nd. Dan@fcfi.org. We will be rebuilding a Bible College damaged by the storm. We will also be joined by Paul Lee of Plants and Plants in helping vulnerable people (particularly widows) set up home tree nurseries for income generation. We will encourage the local church to link the trees to owners of land who can plant commercial orchards (or rent out land for orchard planting). Together we can pave the way for the Great Commission to be fulfilled, providing more Jamaican local funding for local people going/sending and more time to fulfill the Great Commission beyond what is needed for daily necessities.