Dear Editor,
As the sun finally breaks through the clouds in parts of our beloved Jamaica, we pause in gratitude, even though heavy rains and flooding linger in other parishes. Hurricane Melissa has touched our shores with ferocity, leaving devastation in its wake: uprooted trees, roofs torn away, roads blocked, families displaced, and precious lives lost.
In this moment of deep challenge, we have a call, both to give thanks and to turn our hearts toward the One who sustains us.
Thanksgiving:
We thank God for sparing so many lives amidst the destruction, for unseen interventions, and for being our refuge and strength when the storm raged.
Lament and Compassion:
We mourn with those who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and that sense of safety. May God comfort every grieving heart and restore every broken spirit. We pray for healing: physical, emotional, and spiritual, for all who have been affected.
We also extend heartfelt gratitude to our first responders, community volunteers, and neighbours who have risked their lives to rescue, comfort, and rebuild. Their courage reflects the heart of who we are as Jamaicans: resilient, caring, and strong in spirit.
Reflection and Repentance:
In the face of nature’s power, we are reminded of how fragile we are and how deeply we need our Creator. This is a time for our nation to seek God’s forgiveness for the ways we have neglected the vulnerable, ignored the call to love one another, or taken for granted the earth He entrusted to us.
Action and Hope:
Let this storm not only be about damage but also about awakening. Let us rebuild with compassion, reaching out to our neighbours, restoring hope, and providing help not just with words, but with action. Let our faith shine even brighter in adversity.
Anchored in Scripture:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” — Psalm 46:1–2
Let us continue to pray for every parish, every family, and every heart still in recovery. May this be a turning point, not just for rebuilding structures, but for rebuilding our hearts as one people under God.
May God comfort the broken-hearted, strengthen those who rebuild, and bless this island with renewed peace and purpose.
I am,
Dorrett Hewitt
Family Life & Empowerment Coach
Because strong families build strong generations