| By
Michael Wacht
LAKELAND — The island nation of Cuba was hit
by two hurricanes in less than two weeks. Hurricane Isidore tracked
over the western end of Cuba Sept. 20, and Hurricane Lili followed
almost an identical track Oct. 1.
Cuban Methodist Bishop Ricardo Pereira visited
homes and churches in the Guane area of the Pinar del Rio District
Sept. 24. He said as many as 15 families lost their roofs and part of
their homes during Hurricane Isidore. Many others lost beds, clothes
and appliances. The roof on the Guane church and parsonage were both
blown off. No fatalities were reported in the aftermath of Lili, but
the storm caused more damage to houses, buildings and the region’s
ripening tobacco crop.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
is collecting funds and Flood Buckets for hurricane relief in Cuba,
Mexico, the United States, Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.
Donations can be made to UMCOR’s Hurricanes 2002, Advance #901185-6.
For information on Flood Buckets and other
disaster response opportunities, contact Bill and Lisa Rhan, Florida
Conference Disaster Response coordinators, at theDisasterGuy@aol.com
or 386-454-7775 or the Rev. David Beers, Florida Conference United
Methodist Volunteers in Mission chairman, at 305-247-3769 or BDBeers@BellSouth.net. |
