Letter To MCAJ Family – The Missionary Church Association in Jamaica

July 18, 2024

TO: MCAJ FAMILY

RE: ASSISTANCE FOR THE LOCAL AND CARIBBEAN DIASPORA IMPACTED BY HURRICANE BERYL

Brothers and Sisters of the Missionary Church Association in Jamaica at home and abroad:

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.”
Psalm 136:1.

We are a family bought and paid for by the blood of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and beneficiaries of His grace and mercies.

Our local family members were negatively affected by the passage of Hurricane Beryl and are hurting; the damage they experienced is overwhelming. Also, our brethren in St. Vincent, Grenada, and in particular the island of Carriacou where Rev. and Sis. Ivis Melbourne served as our Missionaries, were all significantly affected. Therefore, we are requesting your financial assistance to aid in their recovery process.

The Southern parts of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth were most affected by Hurricane Beryl. Rev. Omar Morrison, Rev. Luke Simpson and I visited two districts in the Southern part of St. Elizabeth where two of our Churches are located. In the first district – Heathfield, three poultry farmers lost all their birds; twenty vegetable farmers lost all their crops; at least fifteen homes lost their roofs. The Heathfield Missionary Church lost most of its roof.

The next district we visited was Queensbury in the Southfield area of St. Elizabeth – the country’s “Bread Basket.” This is a vegetable farming area for crops such as watermelon, tomatoes, carrots, etc. The farmers in this area lost all their crops; many homes lost their roofs resulting in significant damage to furniture and personal items. We give thanks to Almighty God that the Church building and the basic school were not damaged.

Almost on the heel of Beryl one of our beloved sisters in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, lost her house and shop to fire – her means of livelihood. We need to lend a hand to get her back on her feet again.

Kendal Camp and Conference Center in Kendal, Manchester, also suffered some damages. The first two camps had to be cancelled due to a lack of electricity and water.

We invite you to partner with us in the rebuilding process of our members, Churches and the wider communities in which they serve. They all need our prayers, love, concern and care. Let’s demonstrate to the world how we love and care one for the other.

Please see pictures of some of the damages.