SEVENTH-DAY

ADVENTIST
CHURCH St. Vincent and
the
Grenadines
Region

P.O. Box 60
Kingstown
St. Vincent
Tele: (784) 485-6739
Fax: (784) 456-2214
OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR

November 4, 2010

Pastors
First Elders
Churches
SVG Region
PLEASE READ TO THE CHURCH IN ITS ENTIRETY
RE: IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE TOMAS

Dear Brethren

Greetings and best regards.

Last Sabbath, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Barbados were impacted by Hurricane Tomas as it
rampaged through the Caribbean clocking winds of 75 miles per hour and leaving behind a trail of destruction
to housing, agriculture, road, electricity, water and port infrastructure. The North Leeward and North
Windward areas have been declared disaster zones.

As I understand it, agriculture has taken a severe beating chalking up some EC$67 million dollars worth of
damages, whereas housing and other infrastructural damages are still being assessed. At present there are
about 1,200 persons living in shelters as a result of their houses being partially damaged or totally destroyed.

Our hearts go out to those who have been affected, many of whom are members of our churches. There will be
severe loss of income especially to our farmers who are dependent on agriculture sorely for sustenance. Our
pastors and elders are doing their assessment in their respective churches and districts in order to determine the
critical needs.

The church to date has responded to the disaster as follows:

A. Churches designated as shelters were opened up, with one church, Evesham, still being used as shelter
to four families.
B. Some of our Pathfinders have been assisting as volunteers at NEMO and have been engaged in
answering telephone calls, doing damage assessment and distributing food rations to the shelters.

C. The Region has donated to NEMO 200 blankets to be used in the shelters.

D. Our Pastors and leaders have been visiting the impacted communities and shelters and offering
emotional support and relief where possible.
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Aftermath of Hurricane Tomas

I want to encourage each one wherever we can, to reach out to our neighbour and lend a helping hand. A
disaster is no respecter of persons and where one is hurting, all should be hurting. As a people of God, we do
have a Christian obligation and a civic responsibility to respond to the needs of those affected.

How do we plan as a church to further assist?

i. I have made request to Adventist Development Relief Agency for assistance in building materials
and agricultural seeds for planting.
ii. The Caribbean Union and sister fields have been contacted for assistance in building materials.
iii. We have at the Region’s office, used clothing wherever there are needs. Please contact Sis. Maple
Fergus, Community Services Federation President at 458-0383, or Sister Esther Taylor, Secretary
at 457-1188 or 495-3870.
iv. I am encouraging the setting up or strengthening of the Community Alabaster Mercy Box/Barrel
where members of our churches can place on a weekly basis, certain non-perishable food items
(rice, flour, sugar, tin cans, toiletries) which will be distributed to needy persons weekly.
v. This is the time for each community services member (who incidentally should be all baptized
members) to reach out, share and care.
vi. I am proposing the night of Wednesday December 01 for a special prayer, testimonies,
thanksgiving and fellowship night as we give God praise and thanks for His graciousness and
mercies during the hurricane season. Districts can decide to come together.
vii. On Sabbath December 03, the beginning of our Stewardship Week, we shall lift a special
thanksgiving offering in all churches which will be used specifically in the recovery efforts of
those who have been terribly affected.

Brethren, while we are enumerating our losses, let us be mindful that St. Lucia, and to a lesser extent
Barbados, suffered worse than us. St. Lucia has recorded 14 deaths with other people still missing. The
southern section of the island has been completely cut off from the North, with mud slides covering house etc.
There is an urgent, critical need for water and food supplies. As the closest neighbour to St. Lucia, we need to
show our concern as well.

Let us be conscious again of our vulnerability and total helplessness against the ravages of nature that is in
agitation as a result of men’s transgression. We long for the day when disasters and all human suffering can be
of the past. Let us with our God’s help, continue to accelerate the mission of the church so that our Lord can
come quickly.

May God bless you richly.

Sincerely yours

DERMOTH BAPTISTE
COORDINATOR