I returned late Saturday night (3/17) from a whirlwind deployment to Puerto Rico with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, to present “Tools For Resilience” training for the FEMA staff at the Disaster Resource Centers on the Island. On September 20th, only days after Hurricane Irma had battered the Island, Hurricane Maria hit with a vengeance, shattering the Island with 175 mile sustained winds causing catastrophic damage to the entire island. 100% of the Island was without electricity, flood waters were waist deep, roads and bridges destroyed, and cell towers were demolished leaving the 3.4 million residents, half who live below the poverty line, in a desperate situation.
In our presentations to Disaster Center Workers, I met men and woman who were working 10 hour days, six days a week to help their fellow citizens get the most basic needs: water, electricity, a new roof or help with funeral expenses. Many of the staff returned each evening to their homes with no water or electricity, 30 % of the Island is still without power, the largest blackout in US history. One figure I read stated that over 60,000 people still do not have a roof on their homes.
We heard story after story of families who lost a loved one and had to bury them in their yard, as there was no way to get the bodies to a morgue. People spoke of the excruciating sound of the howling wind, cowering under a mattress or hallway for the 14 hours till Maria subsided.
We listened and shared tools for building resilience, and the necessity of making time for self-care as they cared for so many. And always they were so thankful, so deeply appreciative for our coming to help, so gracious in their gratitude, even for our brief time on their island.
There were flags everywhere. The red, white and blue Puerto Rican flag flying next to the American Flag. Their Island is our Island, they are Americans as well; Americans who need our prayers and our help as they courageously rebuild their island and lives.
Thank you for your support and prayers as I serve such an incredibly meaningful mission, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Our Mission IS Mission
The Rev. Jeanie Shaw, Pastor
(916) 996-6236
revjeanshaw@yahoo.com
4300 Las Cruces Way Sacramento, CA 95864
(916) 802-7728
