IN the immediate aftermath of the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa which destroyed numerous houses, crops, roads and other infrastructure in Westmoreland and other parts of the island — notably in the western end — on October 28 last year, Pastor Damian Robinson had to walk through hills and valleys just to locate members of his flock who were displaced by the disaster.

Prior to Melissa the official members of his flock numbered somewhere around 50 people, who all have numerous relatives indirectly connected to the church and who benefit from its services.

One year later, it has been a struggle for him to get things back to normal, but with God being his source of comfort and support, he shared, the man of God says he has decided that his church will not go down, despite losing its roof and almost everything of value during Hurricane Melissa.

“People are still hurting from the trauma they experienced during the hurricane, and even the very mention of Hurricane Melissa triggers an emotional breakdown among them,” said Robinson.

The
Jamaica Observer visited the Church of God of Prophecy, Waterworks Tabernacle, in Westmoreland on Saturday, where Robinson has been the pastor for two years. He took the news team on a tour of what used to be the main church hall, as well as the tent outdoor where services are held these days. The tent is covered with tarpaulins.

Walking inside the main church hall on Saturday and looking up, one could only see the skies as there was absolutely no roof as he testified earlier.

“It has been a journey, and as I reflect on the passing of Hurricane Melissa and how I walked to find 98 per cent of my members — there were hilly terrains, there were roads, there were gullies, there were ponds, you know — [but] I was determined to walk and find them. Even when moments felt discouraging, I had to walk and find them because the other two per cent were elsewhere in St James or other parishes with their loved ones. I was glad to be able to give account for them as well.

“As I looked at the devastation, the question I asked the Lord was ‘God, do you think I’m able to still lead these people in this moment?’ It was terrible. Most of them lived on lands that are leased, and because of that, they were not able to have concrete structures. Most of them lived in wooden structures with zinc roofs. Majority of them ended up under tarpaulins that we sourced with the help of our national church and other donors and supporters. Some of them had to stay with loved ones who were living in concrete structures, and there were those who had to find other family members or relocate in Kingston and throughout the island,” Robinson said.

Tarpaulin became the most precious commodity of the day, Robinson added, pointing to a section of the church compound where services are now held in an outdoor setting. He explained that it has been a struggle trying to get things back to normal, but he is determined to ensure that normality is restored because the people are depending on him and the church in so many ways.

“What you see now is just an extended version of what we started with, because I remember when we just started in just a small area, the sun was there. By the time we started the service, the sun started coming in. So, we had to extend our worship; we had to watch where the sun would come from and we’d watch the time and adjust our church service during that time,” said the minister.

“There was one time we came into the lobby area, and it was just crammed. Where we worship now, we call it the Waterworks Tabernacle mini place of worship. It has been a journey,” he sighed.

But despite all the challenges and problems, he noted, people still put out the effort to come to church. He alluded to the fact that there were some who decided they had to get baptised in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane.

“It’s interesting to note that even after the passing of Hurricane Melissa, our numbers started climbing. I believe one of the contributing factors was the love we showed to the people, helping them to understand that there is more beyond the devastation. It was a moment for us to really show the love of God. Seeing what people were experiencing, it was that moment to show the love of God, so rich and pure, measureless and strong.

“To God be the glory, during that time we had over 12 persons getting saved. A month after the hurricane, the first baptism, we had three persons. The second month, we had four. It was a moment of reaping the seeds that we were sowing before Melissa — and this would include doing street meetings, going from door to door, and doing prayer walks. Melissa was another opportunity for the church to really show God.”

Though in need of a building, Robinson said the church remains a place of refuge where members of the community, whether they attend the church or not, can seek refuge and help.

“When a strange vehicle drives in on the church property, you know, everybody comes from every where to see what is coming. Is it appalling? Is it a care package? Is it food? The need is still great. Our church ground was used as the hub for most of these donors or sponsors, organisations or foundations, to use as a distribution point. A strange vehicle, a big vehicle, meant that something is coming. During that time it was like, ‘What’s coming next for me?’

“There are still many people under tarpaulins, trying to put the pieces back together. There are still steps that need to be taken. As you asked about our own building, now we’ll have to get a plan — a properly drawn plan, you know, by an architect, not just from our national office — to submit to them, but also the other regulatory bodies, you know, to ensure that we are building a resilient building.

“I want to be careful not to sound ungrateful but there is a part of you that says, ‘Oh boy,’ when [things get difficult], you get what a mean? Now and again it [that feeling] comes, and the feeling of discouragement, you know? But, there’s hope. We have a church who adopted us. We have persons who live overseas who, from time to time, send some money.

“We have foundations such as Goals Have No Limit Foundation that would come in and just be there for the people. In terms of the great financial help, we’re not seeing it yet. We are hopeful, and I believe that as we put things in place the Lord will open the doors for us to build back.”