“But if I came back 365 days from now pastor, what will your city be like?”
Four days of meeting with Christian workers and pastors in Puerto Rico was ending. Leaders from three other ministries and I spent time with Christian leaders, crisscrossing the island and visiting some of the hardest hit and most by-passed places. We met with leaders of large scale relief efforts, like LAC partner World Vision, the most effective responder and Convoy of Hope, who had provided over three million meals since Hurricane Maria came ashore on September 20, 2017. But often it is a singular voice that can crystallize a complex situation and when I asked, “What will it be like?” the pastor answered: “It will be worse.”
The 155-mph hurricane left 95% of the island without power. Four months later, only 65% have regained power. Some cities were told they won’t have power before June. Residents remain under a “boil water” directive due to battered treatment plants and schools are on half-day sessions due to these issues. Leaders of education, medicine, and small businesses are drained including Christian pastors, as churches have closed from damage or their congregations have moved away. (10% of Puerto Ricans have moved to the Mainland since Maria.)
I have been to many places with desperate issues, but this was surprisingly sobering. There are so many challenges and a pervasive general trauma. I also met faithful brothers and sisters who were committed to stay and serve and saw the gospel’s message of hope grow in all circumstances. With hope in mind, we continue our exploration for opportunities to build up spiritual leaders, so they can continue to lead and minister, even as they and their families endure the realities of the shared suffering on the island. We will update you on next steps as we pursue an appropriate opportunity this Spring. Join us in praying for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and for the power of the gospel to bring hope and comfort daily through His Church on the island.