DR Team from Hawaii Serves in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian

by John Williams, HPBC Disaster Relief Co-Director

September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm. This was the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935, killing 157 people and causing over $50 billion in property damage. Florida Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) requested disaster relief teams from around the country.

During the first two weeks of November, John Williams led a team of volunteers from Hawaii Pacific Baptist Disaster Relief on a deployment to Fort Meyers, Florida. They served those impacted by hurricane Ian. The team from HPBC served alongside teams from Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas, and Missouri. Disaster relief teams across America came together to support each other in times of need. The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief network comprises of Southern Baptists from all 42 State conventions bringing help, healing, and the hope of Jesus anywhere disaster strikes. During the recovery effort for Hurricane Ian, Southern Baptist prepared 735,985 meals, presented the Gospel 2,352 times, and worked over 248,500 hours!

When Disaster Relief teams deploy, many homeowners are desperate for help. The teams bring not only physical support but the love of Jesus. One homeowner, Flint, from Fort Meyers stated, “We both (he and his wife) believe the destruction made by Hurricane Ian created a mountain of trouble we were just not able to climb this time.” The team from HPBC was able to come alongside and work with the couple, not only making their home safe to move back into but restoring their spirit and showing them a path forward. “I can’t explain how much it meant to have this crew come and help me. I am by myself and I could not have done this on my own.” said Mary, a homeowner.

Disaster Relief Team from HPBC (left to right): Terry Hutchison (Hamakua), Tom Adams (Hamakua), John Williams (Hawaii Kai), Michael Ashman (Olivet), Teresa Makinney (Eleele), Stephanie Funtanilla (Eleele), and Cheryl Sanders (Waialae)

Those who have had the privilege to deploy often receive more than they give. “I just walked in my front door, looked at all my belongings, and cried thinking about all the people who lost everything,” stated one of the HPBC team members upon returning from Florida. The experience of serving Jesus in such difficult situations is both humbling and transformative.

If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved in ministry, please reach out to John and Gay Williams at Disasterrelief@hpbaptist.net