PLEA FOR RELIEF FUNDS AND HELP FROM HURRICANE RICHARD

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PLEA FOR RELIEF FUNDS AND HELP FROM HURRICANE RICHARD

by Belize Mission and Retreat on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 11:04am

Here is an update of all the damage that the hurricane did to the village. The first half of the hurricane took down about 20% of the trees in the village and it also took out a couple roofs from some houses. The second half did the most damage to the village. After the second half about 25-30% more trees were blown down and torn apart. At lease 15 houses in the village lost their roof or half of their roof. Marie and Milly’s house were broken. Boards and plywood from the sides were ripped off. The tall house across from Mr. Curl’s house was blown off the posts but received minimal damage. The red house across from the football field that belongs to John Moore (but is not the one he is living in) was blown off the post and received other structural damage. The outdoor classroom at the school was blown away and mashed up. Ismea’s house was blown off the posts and ripped apart. The only found three sides for the house and is still looking for the fourth side. A house besides Ismae’s house that belong to Mrs. Ionie’s son was blown into pieces. Mrs. Esteline’s house is leaning almost at a 45 degree angle. There are trees laying down all over the village. Sheets of zincs are wrapped around trees like pieces of paper. The roof of the Jenkins house was found almost a hundred yards away from the building. A tree fell on the parsonage but didn’t do any damage. The Lord was protecting it. The church and parsonage only rceived water damage from the rain that was blown inside by the 90+ mph winds.

The mission base buildings received some damage, until John can go out to assess the situation thoroughly we'll have to update this after that visit. No main roofs were blown off . Our water tanks from the cabanas were blown away  and are not reusable. Almost everything in the main lodge & kitchen was wet and blown around. Only one window in the lodge was broken.  Almost half the pavement that leads to the beachside was moved. The boat trailer and ramp is destroyed. This is major need to be replaced as we can't leave our boat in the village area because of the loss or theft of 3 engines in the past. 50% of the trees are gone. The roof from the sistern is gone. The generator house is broken into pieces. We do not know the status of the generator.

Mel and John Bjorgen returned to their apt. in Belize City to find it had 4' of water and a foot of sludge in it.  All of their appliances and furniture has been destroyed.  They have several who have donated to replace their belongings but they need your prayers.  They have a newborn baby, they are staying upstairs with their land lady for now, which is a blessing.  However, Mel feels she should be helping but she can't as she is recovering from the c-section when she delivered and she has a 20 month old to take care of too.  John is trying to handle everything with his family and at the base and village.  He's running thin on energy and they are both feeling very overwhelmed.  Fortunately we have a new staff member arriving Sunday that will be working with us full time. He will be able to assist John during this disaster.

The good news is that no one was hurt in the hurricane and no lives were lost. Those who lost their house and roofs are taking shelter inside the community center or staying with relatives. My guess is that it will be 2 weeks to a month before the government will be able to give the supplies to repair and rebuild. The government is just starting to do damage assessment. That is if the government even comes thru with the replacement and help needed in the village. Times in the past have shown they don't follow thru with their promises and our ministry has filled the gap.

Thank you for praying for us and Please keep on praying for this community & ministry.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.belizemission.org AND ON DIAL/BUTTON THAT SAYS MAKE A DONATION, THEN CLICK ON PAY PAL TO MAKE YOUR DONATION.  PLEASE MAKE NOTE THAT IT'S FOR HURRICANE RELIEF.

IF YOU HAVE A TEAM THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME DOWN FOR RELIEF EFFORT WE ARE DEFINITELY IN NEED OF THAT. PLEASE CONTACT VERA AT 925-200-7012 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              925-200-7012      end_of_the_skype_highlighting OR 480-268-7983 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              480-268-7983      end_of_the_skype_highlighting FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Update on Status of Hurricane Richard

We just talked w/Bjorgen's. Kenny called them from the mission base.  Everyone in the village is safe. Couple of homes were destroyed, and numerous roofs blown off.  The mission base sidewalks gone, water tanks on roofs gone, inside structures a complete mess.  Lots of water damage, still assessing the situation.  John will go tomorrow if he can get thru the coastal road. Updates will come as we get them. Continued prayers and thank you for the prayers you've sent up already!

Hurricane Richard hits Gales Point and Mission Base

It is official, Hurricane Richard made landfall as a Category 1 at 90 mph at Gales Point and our Belize Mission & Retreat.  I have not been able to reach anyone in the village or at the mission base.  Everyone was to evacuate, there was a bus sent into Gales Point by the government however, the bus came back empty, as no one would leave the village because they are afraid of the looting that would take place by those who would stay behind.  The Bjorgen family are safe in San Ignacio staying with a friend of our, Margaret Mooney.

I've been trying to call everyone whose phone # I have in Gales Point, but no one answers.  We have no idea how bad or what the situation is at this time. We are praying that God's hand remained on the base and over the village of Gales Point. 

We are requesting that if you know of any churches that may be interested in helping with recovery for the village and the mission base, to please stay tuned as we find out anything we'll be posting on FB and here on our blog!

Prayers are needed for everyone in the village and throughout Belize.  Our village is a shanty village and it would not be hard for the winds at 90 mph to blow most of these homes over and destroy them totally!  Praying for God's mercy upon the people of Belize and especially Gales Point and the mission base. 

Stay tuned for updates as we get them.  Blessings, Vera