PEOPLE streamed into the Hertford New Testament Church of God in Westmoreland on Sunday, January 25 — some seeking medical care, others looking for food and comfort — all driven by hardships shaped from months of post-Hurricane Melissa struggle.

What greeted them was the launch of a week-long relief mission called GRACE (Giving Relief, Aid and Care and Empowerment).

This was an initiative organised by the New Testament Church of God that ran from last Sunday to Friday across Westmoreland, Hanover, St Elizabeth, and Trelawny.

The outreach delivered medical care, dental and legal services, counselling, food packages, children’s supplies, and building supplies to residents still wrestling with the aftermath of the Category 5 storm which hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025.

“After Melissa, I honestly can say I have not been able to keep up with my health. Today I’m here for a tooth extraction, I am also here to check my blood pressure and other things, but I’m not even sure I’ll be able to get it all done,” said Margaret-Ann Johnson, a member of the Hertford Church who was among those seeking assistance.

She explained that since the passage of Melissa she has been experiencing pain in both legs after walking through flood waters.

“I’m not sure if I am going to ask a doctor to see my legs because I already spoke to a doctor, and he told me it was poor circulation, and I have a follow-up appointment next week. But let me tell you, the pain is terrible. Sometimes I can’t even move. So I’m glad that this is here today so that I can try taking care of the rest of me,” said Johnson.

Winsome Baker, who is also a member of the church, shared that she was happy for the opportunity to have free health checks as she struggles with medical issues which sometimes spiral if left unmonitored.

“I have high blood pressure, I have high cholesterol, so I just came to get a check-up. I also came to get one of my teeth extracted. But you know, I have gotten old, and sometimes when the body gets old, all sorts of things can happen, so I just made sure to come,” said Baker.

She told the Jamaica Observer that she is trying to rebuild because of damage done to her roof by the Category 5 storm.

According to Baker, the stress from the weather event has not been easy to manage, and so she takes the opportunity to be aware of her health status as often as possible.

Ertella McGrowther attended the relief mission with her two grandchildren, making use of the services being offered.

“Today I’m here to see the doctor, so anything they give me, I’m happy. I have sinus issues that I’m getting the free medication for, I also have a little problem with high blood pressure, and I took my grandkids to get their dental done. So this is good. I must also say that after Melissa, we have to give God thanks that we’re still here when we could have passed away. It’s tough, but we’re still moving,” said McGrowther.

Missionary and counsellor Paul Morris noted that many families were experiencing heightened bouts of anger and stress. He argued that because of Hurricane Melissa and the burdens people are now facing, many are turning to unhealthy ways to cope.

“Generally, the observation is that people are stressed; you can see it in how they interact with each other, and even in terms of speaking to persons on a counselling level, there is stress that is related to disruption of their normal activities, and their lives.

“So some manifestations would be violence or aggression. Some of which would have more to do with domestic violence and domestic-related issues,” said Morris.

He told the Observer that he felt that the drive was necessary to provide support to those who were experiencing stress and provide them with healthy emotional outlets.

“I put myself on guard in terms of counselling, not to take anything for granted, because people are suffering and even though you can’t see it, they are. So I’m here to provide as much support as I can,” added Morris.

Administrative Bishop of the GRACE initiative, Roy Notice, told the Observer that as his church family continued to witness the lingering hardship of those struggling three months after the hurricane, they decided that handing out supplies would not be enough.

“When we came to Westmoreland, right after the hurricane, we realised how devastating it was. Not just to the environment, but to the people, families, and churches. So we decided that we needed to respond.

“We seek as best as we can to be God’s hands extended to persons who are in need, as we seek to express care. We seek to give to the community without any expectation of receiving. So we’re really hoping that we can put a footprint of grace in people’s lives,” said Notice.

Administrative Bishop of the GRACE Initiative Roy Notice, speaking with children outside of the counselling station at the Hertford New Testament Church of God in Westmoreland on Sunday, January 25. (Photos: Samantha Dorah)

Margaret-Ann Johnson (left) getting her blood pressure checked by volunteer from Maryland, United States of America Dr Zeudiann Coleman, at the GRACE Relief Mission.(Photos: Samantha Dorah)