Prayer for the People of the Dominican Republic
Below is an e-mail I received from Madeline Flores, ABC Missionary to the DR.
Brothers and Sisters, It is Wed., Oct. 31st. and still raining…it has been like this since past Sunday. Tropical Storm Noel hit our Island during the weekend and the results are devastating and critical. The main cities affected are: Santo Domingo, San Cristobal, Bani, Azua, Ocoa and Bonao. Here are some official numbers:56 people dead27 dissappeared682 rescued
21 bridges washed out
52 communities incommunicated
17,895 people in shelters/schools
40,433 people with families or friends
13,921 homes affected partially
661 homes totally affected
I have been taking water out of my apartment since Sunday and non stop, but I am okay and dry. This is not important when I see the tv news and when I went and visited some of the many people, friends, my bothers and sisters in such a critical situation without home, shelter, clothes, a bed to sleep, a blanquet for the cold/and mosquitoes, shoes, food, medicines, etc. Here is when my heart warms up and stops crying and puts hands to the work and help as much as I can. I will visit tomorrow Thursday some of our friends at the Bateyes San Jose and Las Javillas. I do not know if I can get there since my truck is 2×2 and I will need a 4×4 to go in due to the roads and mud. If not I will rent a bigger truck and go and see how our friends are and how we can help them too. Our brothers and sisters in Bani are doing okay, I spoke with Pastor Richard and he said is okay, just a member of his church that his home suffered a little. Pastor Valera of San Juan de la Maguana is doing okay too. Church families and neighbors are okay, the normal situation with some home flooded but nothing bigger than that thanks to God. I also spoke today with Pastor Marino from Iglesia Bautista Vida Eterna and he said that everyone is okay. He is a little sick with a cold from Sunday when he got wet helping others. Rev. Pierre Espadi, from Haitian Baptist Association said that he is okay and his family. He has not had any communication yet with some of the Bateyes in risk, but he will call today to know about them.
Many friends and churches have called me or written an email asking how they can help, my answer is pray and give. We need to buy beds/mattress, bed clothing, clothes for the people, shoes, medicines, construction material to rebuild some homes, etc. If you can send some of this through “barrels” door to door it will be good, If you want to send money you can do so too. Do checks under my name and on the memo line please make sure it says: “Storm Noel” and I will know what to do. My mailing address is:
SDQ 9
P O Box 025727
Miami, Fl. 33102
If sending barrels door to door, please send to:
Calle Proyecto #3
Edificio Dolly Apartamento 2-B
Alma Rosa I, Santo Domingo, R.D.
Tels. 809/307-7800
Many thanks for your prayers and support. Blessings,
Rev. Madeline Flores-Lopez, Missionary in Dominican Republic
International Ministries and the American Baptist Churches (ABC)
Be surprised by the Word! Give to the 2007 World Mission Offering
www.internationalministries.org and www.worldmissionoffering.org