9 November, 2017

ADRA Assists Families After Tropical Storm Nate Hit Costa Rica

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Costa Rica is providing assistance to hundreds of affected families after Tropical Storm Nate hit the Central American country. The storm, which hit on Oct. 5, 2017, took the lives of more than two dozen people. It also caused widespread flooding, resulting in mudslides and the destruction of roads, bridges, and homes. Thousands of people were displaced. The government reported that 42 roads were damaged across seven provinces, and more than 7,200 persons stayed in shelters. Nate hit the country after two straight weeks of heavy rainfall.

7 November, 2017

In Jamaica, Adventist Blind Senator Achieves Doctor of Philosophy Degree

It is said that “Perfection is an unattainable goal, but it is in striving for it that makes us achieve greater levels of excellence.” This statement is true and reflective of the life of Senator Floyd Morris who received the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 3, 2017. Senator Morris, the second blind person to achieve the highest level of academia at the university in its 69-year history, was one of eight visually impaired individuals who earned their degrees in the 2017 graduation exercises.

3 November, 2017

Adventist Church Inaugurates New Headquarters in Southeast Mexico

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southeast Mexico opened its new headquarter office during a special ceremony held in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, on Oct. 22, 2017. Dozens of top church administrators from across the Inter-American Division (IAD), along with local church leaders and members, witnessed the ribbon cutting ceremony and toured the new facility.

2 November, 2017

Adventists in West Venezuela Share Hope and Smiles Throughout Their Communities

She was afraid to smile because of her missing teeth but thanks to a dental clinic held during a special initiative by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Venezuela, Martha Ferrer can smile again. “I am so happy and thankful because now I can smile big with the five new teeth that this dental clinic has provided for me,” said Ferrer.

27 October, 2017

Florida Hospital Team Serves St. Thomas Community after Hurricanes

A ten-member medical team from Florida Hospital, located in Orlando, Florida, provided free medical services on the island of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, which began on Oct. 8, 2017. Reports indicate that 178 individuals were served in the first day and a half. Hundreds more were seen in the days that followed. Hurricane Irma, which struck the island last month, caused extensive damage to the healthcare infrastructure on St. Thomas and disrupted treatments for those who are most vulnerable.

27 October, 2017

ADRA Assists on the Island of Anguilla After Hurricane Devastation

The North Caribbean Conference (NCC), through it humanitarian agency, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), arranged and distributed supplies to the people of Anguilla on Oct. 11, 2017. President of the NCC Pastor Desmond James, and ADRA Coordinator Wilmoth James, were on hand to assist in the coordination and distribution of the over 500 food hampers to the community on the island.

20 October, 2017

Government of Jamaica Grants National Honor to Adventist Pastor

Prolific preacher and president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Jamaica was the recipient of a National Award. Pastor Glen Samuels was recognized by the Government of Jamaica for his outstanding contribution to religion with the Order of Distinction, Officer Class earlier this week. Samuels accepted his National Honor from Governor General of Jamaica, His Excellency, The Most Honorable, Sir Patrick Allen during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honors and Awards held at King’s House on Oct. 16, 2017. Samuels was among 171 persons who were conferred with national honors this year.

19 October, 2017

In El Salvador, Students March to Highlight Spiritual Values and Play Their Instruments

Hundreds of students from across the Seventh-day Adventist Schools in El Salvador took part in a massive march in the capital city of San Salvador last month. The march, held every year by the church, spotlighted spiritual values. Church members and students held signs and banners and encouraged onlookers to end any kind of violence, whether verbal or physical, and combat evil with the love that Jesus teaches in the Bible.

18 October, 2017

In Turks & Caicos, Adventist Church Continues Providing Assistance to Community After Storms

While Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Turks and Caicos are pending insurance damage assessments from hurricanes Irma and Maria, church leaders and members have kept busy helping their own and reaching out to those in need across the islands of Providenciales, Grand Turk and South Caicos. “In Providenciales where I live and where the bulk of the church membership resides, some 90 percent of the homes were damaged by Irma,” said Pastor Michael Smith, president of the Turks and Caicos Mission.

13 October, 2017

Governor of British Virgin Islands Visits Adventist Church, Shares Hope with Community

Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) His Excellency Augustus Jaspert recently visited the Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tortola to show solidarity to members of the community who suffered during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The category 5 hurricane displaced 22.5 percent of the population, which means more than 8,300 residents had to seek alternative shelter.

12 October, 2017

Adventists in St. Croix Are Encouraged to Move Forward and Serve the Community

Seventh-day Adventists on the island of St. Croix were encouraged by church leaders to press on in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The powerful storm battered the island last month with winds in excess of 175 miles per house, destroying homes, displacing residents and leaving the community hurting. “Do not allow anything to steal your blessing,” said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America, as he addressed more than 500 church members on Sabbath, Sept. 30, 2017, at Peters Rest Adventist Church.

6 October, 2017

In St. Thomas, Adventists Find Comfort in Worshiping Together After Hurricanes

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria pummeled St. Thomas and St. John in the Virgin Islands last month, taking off roofs, damaging buildings and downing electric poles, dozens of Seventh-day Adventists gathered on Sabbath, Sep. 24, to praise God, find comfort in worshiping together and share their testimonies through the storms. The Category 5 storm peaked at 185 miles per hour on Sep. 6, and remained at the strength for 37 hours, killing three and displacing hundreds, authorities reported. Many Seventh-day Adventist were also displaced.