GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico (BP) – Crisis response experts and volunteers from Kentucky Baptist Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) Send Relief were already in Puerto Rico for a long-planned training when Tropical Storm Ernesto quickly developed into a storm that caused extensive damage to the island.

“We came to a planned disaster relief training with pastors and volunteers here in Puerto Rico,” said Coy Webb, crisis response director for Send Relief. “Now we’ve moved on to hands-on, on-the-job training.”

The team’s quick change of course came as strong winds left nearly three-quarters of a million people – almost half the island – without power and 235,000 people without access to water, according to multiple sources.

“Send Relief and the SBDR team in Kentucky are helping survivors and sharing the hope of Christ with those affected,” said Webb. “This ranges from distributing bottled water and emergency food to cutting down trees and repairing damaged roofs.”

Ernesto strengthened into a hurricane the day after it passed Puerto Rico, and forecasters from the National Hurricane Center expect the storm to move northward through the Atlantic toward Bermuda before possibly passing Newfoundland early next week.

Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has struggled with earthquakes and other severe storms in recent years while recovering. The island’s mountainous terrain means there is a risk of landslides and flash floods during heavy rains.

“Puerto Rico has experienced many challenges, from natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to economic crises and bankruptcy,” said Jonathan Santiago, director of Send Relief’s Puerto Rico Ministry Center. “It only takes the wind and water of a tropical storm to create chaos for an already struggling people.”

Jorge Santiago (no relation to Jonathan) moved to Puerto Rico in 2017 just before the storm. With the help of Send Network, he founded One Church Comerio and ministered to those in need after the storm.

On Wednesday morning, he went out with a group of men from his church to clear roads so people could get to hospitals and other emergency services. On Thursday, he cut down fallen trees with volunteers from Send Relief and Kentucky SBDR.

Now they are using a power generator to help their neighbors in their church building by providing showers, laundry facilities and a place where survivors can charge their cell phones.

“The Lord gives us strength as we spend many hours helping the people of Comerio,” said Jorge. “There is a good spirit of service in the church and I have seen God at work, bringing me together with people I did not know before.”

As Send Relief and SBDR volunteers travel the island to meet needs, they have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

“With nearly half the island living in poverty, Send Relief seeks to bring the hope of Jesus by meeting concrete needs,” said Jonathan. “Yes, we cut down trees to clear access to main roads, repair roofs so families have a safe place to sleep, and provide water and food in case of emergency. But ultimately, it’s about the gospel. It’s about letting people know that no matter our circumstances, we have a God who loves them and cares about their situation and their suffering. And that’s why we’re here.”

Webb said that during her deployment to Ernesto, people noticed a difference in the way they met needs.

“I saw Jesus in you even before you told me you were a follower of Christ,” Webb said a survivor once told him.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Brandon Elrod writes for the North American Mission Board.)