Mustard Seed Communities - Jamaica hit hard by Tropical Storm Gustav

Nearly a hurricane, Tropical Storm Gustav swamped Jamaica at the end of last week. It was a slow moving tropical storm when it hit Jamaica and the downpour of continuous rain and heavy winds wreaked havoc.

Many of Mustard Seed Communities' homes in the southeast of Jamaica sustained wind and water damage, but Sophie's Place, located in the mountains of Saint Andrew in the community of Gordon Town received significant damage. Sophie's Place is home to 24 children with physical and mental disabilities and provides accommodations for volunteers when they come to serve in Jamaica on a mission trip.

Sophie's Place was waist high in water for days. A "gully" broke sending a 9 foot wave of water into the town and causing a landslide that virtually blocked the road to the home. The two story cottage that houses the laundry and store room was swept away by the river behind Sophie's Place which flooded the property. Luckily there were 5 volunteers and Mustard Seed Communities' caregivers to rush the children to higher ground as the water swelled. Getting food, supplies and medicine to the children has been very difficult. The home is without water and electricity.

Mustard Seed Communities will relocate 14 children to "My Father's House" in Kingston. The remaining 10 children will stay in the one habitable cottage at Sophie's Place so that they can continue to participate in school and receive daily therapy at University of Technology.

As is often true in disasters such as these, our immediate need is for funds that we can send directly to Jamaica to assist in relief and rebuilding efforts. To donate funds for the Mustard Seed Hurricane Relief Fund in Jamaica, please go to our Donations page by clicking here and specify Tropical Storm Relief.

You may also send funds marked Hurricane Relief directly to MSC USA development office at: 29 Janes Avenue, Medfield, MA 02052 or contact Laura Doherty, Executive Director, at 508-242-9622.

Please pray for all those who have been affected by Tropical Storm Gustav and for those in the paths of the developing hurricanes; Hannah, Ike and Josephine.