‘This is not an act of God’

MANY JAMAICANS in the island’s west, hard-hit by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, are praising God for sparing their lives. Others are mourning and asking why God caused such devastation. In response, the newly appointed assistant chaplain at the Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited (AMH), Pastor Eric Nathan, offered a clear answer: “This is not the act of God. This is the act of the Devil.”

At AMH’s outreach at Black River Hospital, 25 volunteers distributed care packages, hot meals, solar lanterns, and clothing to staff and residents.

The storm made landfall on October 28 on Jamaica’s southwestern coast, with maximum sustained winds near 295 km/h (185 mph), tearing through St Elizabeth and neighbouring parishes and leaving debris, destruction, and deep discouragement.

“What we see here is a reflection of the reality of what sin has caused,” Pastor Nathan said. “We must let the Devil know that we understand this is not of God.” He added, “So, when you ask, ‘Where is God?’ We need to understand that God is still where He was when His Son was on the cross.” Quoting Isaiah 43:2, he reminded staff, “‘When you walk through the fire, I will be with you. When you pass through the flood, it will not overcome you’ … God is with us.”

AMH President and Chief Executive Officer Donmayne Gyles thanked Black River Hospital’s leadership for welcoming the team and pledged partnership through recovery.

“We believe in service,” he said. “As our mission declares, we are extending Christ’s healing ministry, and this is part of that. We as a team have decided to support Black River Hospital as a project as we build together.”

He said AMH would collaborate with Pastor Keisan Jemieson of the Black River District of Seventh-day Adventist Churches to reach the wider community. Gyles also thanked Nutri Delight, the main sponsor, for contributing to the care packages and providing 10 solar lanterns.

Black River Hospital Chief Executive Officer Diana Brown-Williams expressed deep gratitude and described an institution battered to its core. “That devotion this morning uplifted our spirits during this difficult time. The hurricane nearly decimated us – our infrastructure, equipment, and, most painfully, our people. Currently, only about 15 per cent of our usable space remains,” she said. “Roofs are gone. Wards, administration, staff quarters, dietary services, and the operating theatre are out. For now, we stabilise emergencies and transfer patients to other hospitals such as the Mandeville Regional, Kingston Public, and the University of the West Indies. We need disposables, equipment, furniture, and ultimately rebuilding, and welcome all forms of assistance, such as clean-up support and psychosocial care. We appreciate everything you can do for us.”

Nurse Shirleyan Myers, a Black River Hospital staffer, clutched a care package and fought back tears. “It was just terrible, terrible, terrible,” she said. “When Hurricane Melissa hit, my husband, our three children, and I had to shelter in the car, and I am six months’ pregnant. The wind took off the roof; everything was soaked, and some things were blown away. After the storm, my husband tried to nail down the zinc roof, but, when it rains, everything gets wet again. I keep praying it does not rain.”

At 6 a.m., Karl McDonald, 70, arrived for a post-operative check. “The doctor said my wound is healing,” he shared. “But my entire dwelling is gone. I am staying at a nearby Baptist church with many others.” He added, “I was baptised three months ago at the Black River Seventh-day Adventist Church. Jesus is everything to me. I know He will provide a new home.”

Wilton Forbes, 22, and cousins Sonia, 16, and Jay Davy, 14, were drawn to the hospital premises by the hot meals and care packages.

“There is no water at home,” Forbes said. “We went to the Black River Spa to wash ourselves. Our house flooded when sea levels rose, and the river overflowed and carried away everything.”

After supporting the hospital, the AMH team moved into Lovers Lane and Logwood communities with Pastor Jemieson guiding the way.

“Over 90 per cent of our members are without a roof and now sleep in the open air,” he said. “Many lack water and food. Depression and anxiety are present. Counselling has begun for some, but more psychosocial help is needed. We’re grateful for Andrews Memorial’s outreach; every bit helps.”

Along Lovers Lane, Velma Gunter stood beneath an open sky where her ceiling once was. “We lost the entire roof within an hour and a half,” she said. “Every room is open to the sky. Most of what we own is wet. I still give thanks, because I have life.”

On the roadside, AMH volunteers prayed with residents and shared care packages. Nordia Palmer-Harvey wept after prayer. “God has answered my prayers,” she said quietly. “If I were at home, I wouldn’t have received this package. You are an answer to my prayer.”

AMH’s assistant laboratory manager, Charmaine Blythe, said “every yard told the same story: damaged homes, heaped-up rubble, wet belongings drying in the sun.”

Children lined up for Kisko pops from AMH Human Resources Director Alanie Lewis, who also ensured an elderly woman received her care package with a modest request of a tin of chicken sausage.

At another gate, resident Shernett Headcock pointed to a shrub already sprouting new leaves. “Just like this plant, beaten down by the storm, and now springing up to a new beginning, we will, too. A new page will turn for us.”

What would have taken a few hours, a traffic gridlock in Santa Cruz stretched it to a five-hour drive back to Kingston. Gyles saw Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Jamaica Union Conference, also returning from outreach in another section of the parish.

“Helping those devastated by the hurricane underscores Andrews’ commitment to relieving suffering and shows what teamwork can achieve,” said Pastor Brown, “Our affected people need all the help they can get right now, and, as a church and through the Adventist Development Relief Agency, we will do all we can to rebuild their lives.”

– Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher, AMH