‘This Is Not an Act of God’

Andrews Memorial Hospital outreach team provides care packages, meals, and emotional support at Black River Hospital and nearby communities

November 7, 2025 | Black River, St Elizabeth, Jamaica | Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher and IAD News Staff

Many residents in western Jamaica—hard hit by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa—are thanking God for sparing their lives. Others are grieving losses and asking why God caused such devastation. In response, newly appointed Assistant Chaplain at Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited (AMH), Pastor Eric Nathan, offered a direct clarification: “This is not the act of God. This is the act of the Devil.”

Chaplain Nathan was speaking at the AMH’s outreach at the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth on November 4. A team of 25 volunteers distributed 300 care packages, served hot soup and porridge to hospital staff and residents, and handed out solar lanterns and clothing.

When the storm made landfall on Jamaica’s southwestern coast on Oct. 28 with winds reaching 195 miles per hour, it tore through St. Elizabeth, St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny, and St. Ann—leaving behind debris, destruction, loss of life, and a shaken population.

“What we see here is a reflection of the reality of what sin has caused. We must let the Devil know that we understand this is not of God,” said Nathan.

He added that God’s silence is no consent to evil. “So, when you ask, ‘where is God?’ We need to understand that God is still where He was when His Son was on the cross.”

Pastor Nathan further reassured the workers of God’s promise in Isaiah 43:2, “When you walk through the fire, I will be with you. When you pass through the flood, it will not overcome you. God gives coping grace and skills for every step. As we look at the chaos, confusion, and destruction, remember: God is with us.”

Building together, serving communities

Donmayne Gyles, Chief Executive Officer of AMH, thanked Black River Hospital’s leadership for welcoming the volunteer team and outlined the hospital’s commitment to partner through recovery.

“We believe in service,” said Gyles. “As our mission declares, we are extending Christ’s healing ministry, and this is part of that. We as a team have decided to support Black River Hospital as a project as we build together.”

Gyles said the team was there to provide a warm meal to the hospital staff and noted that they would be partnering with Pastor Kiesan Jemieson of the Black River District of Seventh-day Adventist churches to extend support to the wider community later that day.

He thanked Nutri Delight, the main sponsor, for contributing to the care packages and providing 10 solar lanterns.

Chiel Executive Officer of Black River Hospital Diana Brown-Williams expressed deep gratitude and described an institution battered to its core. “On behalf of our staff, I extend sincere appreciation to the team from Andrews Memorial,” she said.  “That devotion this morning uplifted our spirits during this difficult time,” she remarked. “The hurricane nearly decimated us—our infrastructure, equipment, and, most painfully, our people. Presently, only about 15 percent of our usable space remains.”

Brown-Williams reported that the hospital sustained extensive damage, with roofs lost and key areas such as the wards, administrative offices, staff quarters, dietary services, and the operating theater rendered unusable. She said that the hospital is only able to stabilize emergency cases before transferring patients to other facilities, including Mandeville Regional Hospital, Kingston Public Hospital, and the University of the West Indies Hospital.

She emphasized the urgent need for disposables, medical equipment, furniture, and long-term rebuilding support, and said the hospital welcomes clean-up help and psychosocial care. “We appreciate everything you can do for us.”

Private grief, public faith

Nurse Shirleyan Myers, a Black River Hospital staffer, clutched a care package and fought back tears. “It was just terrible, terrible, terrible,” she said. She explained that when Hurricane Melissa struck, her husband and their three children had to shelter in the family car, and she is currently six months pregnant. “The wind took off the roof, everything was soaked, and some things were blown away,” she said. Her husband tried to re-nail the zinc roofing after the storm, but every time it rains, water still pours into the house.

At 6:00 a.m., Karl McDonald, 70, arrived at the hospital for a post-operative check. “The doctor said my wound is healing. Sometimes I will feel pain,” he shared. “But my entire dwelling is gone. I am staying at a nearby Baptist church with many others.”

Karl said his newfound faith in Jesus has kept him. “I was baptized three months ago at the Black River Seventh-day Adventist Church. Jesus is everything to me. I know He will provide a new home. I have no family who can help.”

By midday, Wilton Forbes, 22, and his cousins Sonia Davy, 16, and Jay Davy, 14, walked onto the hospital grounds. They were attracted to the hot meals and the distribution of care packages. “There is no water at home,” Forbes said. “We went to the Black River Spa to wash ourselves. Our house flooded when sea levels rose, and the river overflowed and carried away everything.”

Sonia said she was nearly swept away when waves and river surge rushed through her home, “I saw my death, I cried for help,” she said, “but my mother grabbed my hand and pulled me to safety.”  She and her family are now staying with a neighbor whose damaged house is still able to shelter them.

Ninety percent of residents lost their roofs

After supporting the hospital, the AMH team extended their outreach deeper into shattered neighborhoods, Lovers Lane and Logwood communities, with Pastor Jemieson guiding the way. Now in his second year of ministry in the Black River pastoral district, he serves congregations across the communities of Black River, Parottee, Brampton, Middle Quarters, and Whitehall.

“Over 90 percent of our members are without a roof and now sleep in the open air,” said Jemieson. “Many lack water and food. Depression and anxiety are present. Counselling has begun for some, but more psychosocial help is needed. We’re grateful for Andrews Memorial’s outreach; every bit helps.”

Along Lovers Lane, Velma Gunter, a member of Black River Seventh-day Adventist Church, stood beneath an open sky where her ceiling once was. Sunlight poured through the ribs of the five-bedroom home now, stripped of its roof.

“We lost the entire roof within an hour and a half,” she said. “My family and I bunkered in the garage under the slab roof all night.” Every room is open to the sky, and most of what they own is wet. “I still give thanks because I have life. Some cannot stand to tell their story. Today I can, and there is a purpose, even if we don’t know it yet.”

“God answered my prayers”

Sitting along the roadside in front of a small grocery shop were a few residents. Members of the AMH team went over, prayed with them, and gave them care packages. Nordia Palmer-Harvey wept after Pastor Jemieson prayed. “God has answered my prayers,” she said while sobbing.

Nordia admitted, “I am feeling very emotional right now and prefer not to share more at this moment,” then her neighbor encouraged her to continue.

“This morning, I told God I was in need and to put me in a position to get something.” Nordia quietly explained, “If I were at home, I wouldn’t have received this package. You are an answer to my prayer. Thank you for praying for me.” Jemieson hugged her before departing.

Despite devastation, community spirit is high

As the AMH team continued through Logwood, Charmaine Blythe, assistant laboratory manager at AMH said, “Every yard told the same story: damaged homes, rubble, wet belongings drying in the sun. In one yard, some cleaned while others played dominoes, their laughter rising above the music. Breadfruits roasted on a coal fire.”

Blythe saw three kids, and a woman, maybe a mom, resting on a damaged mattress outside, making the best of their situation. “Despite the devastation, community spirit and harmony existed,” he said.

Shernett Headcock standing at her gate pointed to a small shrub, stripped bare by the wind. “I trimmed it three days after the hurricane,” she said. “Look at it now, new leaves are springing up. Just like this plant, beaten down by the storm, and now springing up to a new beginning, we will, too. A new page will turn for us.”

On the AMH team’s five-hour drive from St. Elizabeth back to Kingston, Mr. Gyles saw Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Jamaica Union, also returning from an outreach in the parish.

“I am so proud of the leadership and workers at Andrews Memorial Hospital for participating in this outreach,” Brown said. “Helping those devastated by the hurricane underscores Andrews’ commitment to relieving suffering and shows what teamwork can achieve. Our affected people need all the help they can get right now, and as a church we will do all we can to rebuild their lives.”