The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is offering emotional and spiritual care on the devastated island of Puerto Rico to help locals pick up the pieces after Hurricane Fiona.
In mid-September, the Category 1 storm wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico as its high winds knocked down power lines and damaged roofs. Some areas were inundated with more than 30 inches of rain, and at least 1,000 people were rescued from raging floodwaters.
The hurricane later raged through the Dominican Republic and across Canada’s coastline.
“We know that people in Puerto Rico are still struggling with the heartbreaking damage left behind by Hurricane Fiona. We’ve had numerous conversations with people on the island on how we can help, as our hearts are heavy for those who have suffered great loss,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT.
“We are sending a team of crisis-trained chaplains to see how we can best serve the community. Our chaplains will be there to listen, comfort, and pray with people as the recovery process is underway.”
A team of eight chaplains arrived on Sunday, Oct. 16, and are serving islanders for two weeks. They’re partnering with Samaritan’s Purse—a ministry that organizes volunteers to repair homes—to help locals process loss and grief from the recent storm.
Five years ago, Puerto Rico’s infrastructure was crippled by Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that completely knocked out the island’s power. Billy Graham chaplains deployed afterward to offer emotional and spiritual care.
“We are partnering with local churches that we worked with after Hurricane Maria in 2017 to meet families’ physical needs while reminding them of the hope found only in Jesus Christ,” Franklin Graham said. “Please join me in praying for everyone impacted by this hurricane and for families who are still in the path of the storm.”
Fiona has exacerbated the island’s difficulties, even flooding some homes that have been rebuilt since Maria.
Please pray for those suffering in Puerto Rico as a result of the storm and for the Billy Graham chaplains as they serve.
