Update from Mission Partner: Hurricane Dorian

Posted on by Shadyside Presbyterian Church

Mission Update

Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas as a Category 5 hurricane on September 1, 2019, and stalled over the islands for 24 hours, causing loss of life and massive damage. Shadyside Presbyterian Church’s mission partner in the Bahamas, Caribbean Youth Network (CYN), has shared a second update with us.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support during this most difficult week. I know you have probably seen enough horrific pictures of the aftermath of the hurricane on the media to last a lifetime. Here is a brief update on what is happening:

This morning there is a mandatory evacuation of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, going on. We have heard the CDC needs to come in and clean up. Authorities have not been able to adequately find and clean up the deceased. Many people have already been evacuated from Abaco and Grand Bahama in the past few days by boat, helicopter, and cruise ships.

Nassau has become the hub for evacuees. Large facilities like the national basketball gym have been turned into shelters. Huge collections of relief supplies, food, clothing, etc. have taken place here and people are being cared for.

Yesterday, seventeen teens arrived from an orphanage in Grand Bahama. They are staying at the Ranfurly Home for Children, a group with which the Bahamas Youth Network (BYN) has a strong presence and ministry. Our leaders are involved in helping these traumatized kids get settled and feel loved.

Jude’s family was evacuated yesterday from Abaco, and they are living in our church for a time.

Our ministry partner in Freeport, Marvin Rolle, is alive and well. He is heavily involved in helping with relief efforts there and covets our prayers.

Please continue to pray for the authorities here. There are a lot of unanswered questions and disorganization. No one is clear about what lies ahead.

We are doing our best to help with needs involving teens. Please help us spread the word that donations given to our hurricane relief fund will enable us to do even more. Share this newsletter with a friend! Click here to contribute.

Thank you for your strong support and prayers! Keep them coming, and we will continue to update you as major developments occur.

Contributed by Dan Weightman, Executive Director of Caribbean Youth Network

Read the first update from CYN after Hurricane Dorian.