December 23

Posted by: Ben Reece (on behalf of Johnathan and Mary Reece)

Note: Internet connectivity remains capricious and when coupled with emergent demands, it makes updating the blog these past weeks a challenge.  With that in mind, dad asked me to write another blog post and update you on what’s happening in Puerto Rico.

It's been 94 days since Sector La Palma, Aguadilla last had electricity.  The days are filled with the noise of two-stroke generators which give way to evenings lit by an array of portable, solar-powered lights.  Tomorrow will be 95 days and Christmas Day will be 96 days.

I think the experience can best be described as camping indoors, but without s’mores.

After closely rationing and monitoring water usage, and finding creative ways to collect rain, water service was restored to mom and dad’s place 68 days after the storm.  If you recall, I indicated in early October that there was a 2 – 3 week estimate for restoring water service; it didn’t happen for 7 weeks.

The island finds itself generating power at 59% normal capacity and despite a great effort by thousands of linemen, utility-fed electricity remains elusive for many.  Damage to the grid is simply beyond words (some things you just have to see).  Progress is being made, however, and utility trucks appear to be inching closer to the church and home each day.

My wife and I are visiting the family for Christmas.  We bought our tickets nearly 2 months before the mere suggestion of Hurricane Maria appeared near the Cabo Verde Islands.  The hurricane threat is always in the back of our minds, but who knew a belt of thunderclouds exiting the African coast would eventually deliver such a blow 2,800 miles away?

Visiting Puerto Rico 3 months after Hurricane Maria is like walking into a room right after its occupants had a big fight.  It's clear that something just happened, but it's hard to quantify so you try to evaluate it through a myopic historical lens in an inadequate attempt to bring the story into focus.

The landscape was impacted in ways no one could fathom.  Trees uprooted and topped and stripped of leaves.   Stream beds washed down to bare rock by floodwaters not deemed plausible. Coral reefs pounded into rubble by the surf.  Beaches washed away.  Landslides and washouts in the mountains number in the thousands and continue to be a threat to the residents in those remote, tucked away pockets of the island.  It’s a landscape which appears at odds with its occupants.  But nature, ever the wonder of Creation, is on the mend; the tropics are quick to regain their footing.

The ubiquitous blue tarp, keeping the rain out.

It's what's been built by men that remains marred and in various states of disrepair.  Many traffic lights remain non-working or askew in their mounts.  Fences and sheds and outbuildings lean heavily on their sides and their corners are not true.   And the tell-tale blue of emergency tarpaulin roofs speaks 70,000 stories of lost homes and affected lives.  It’s almost too much to take in and this account is occurring 90+ days later; my heart aches.

The impact goes beyond trees, buildings and infrastructure, it ultimately affects the island’s future in ways that are unknown.  Recent estimates have suggested that 250,000 people have left the island as a result of the storm.  Three young families in the church have already moved to the states, embracing the great blessing of American citizenship, to seek out employment or some normalcy in their lives.

But enough of such concerns.  Let’s discuss what’s happening with the church; what’s being done in His name.

A new roof being built

The overwhelming show of support, inflow of charitable giving, and financial grants have exceeded the most optimistic of expectations.  Donations channeled through Puerto Rico Mission have provided roofing, building materials, appliances, to dozens of families (35 in total); all the while putting money back into a local economy badly in need of a boost. Many more will be blessed before this chapter is closed. What a blessing our brothers and sisters in Christ are!

There have been multiple trips into the mountains over the past several months to deliver supplies to residents there.  This past week we were able to deliver a stove for a family in the mountain town of Jayuya.  The entire town remains without electricity, so several dozen portable, solar lightbulbs were also delivered.

As always, we appreciate your continued interest and support.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest this past year and for most, these past many years.

Merry Christmas.