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While the volcano continues to erupt, members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Saint Vincent remain in shelters and safeguarded in the homes of other friends and relatives. Food, water, and other supplies have been packaged and delivered to members and people in the community as part of the relief efforts of the Church and local organizations.
It will be several months before displaced citizens will be able to return to their homes. Government reports say eighty-eight shelters with 4042 occupants are now activated, while some five thousand three hundred and ninety-eight persons (5398) are being housed in a private shelter.
“Seismic activity at La Soufrière volcano continues the pattern established after the explosive activity on Sunday evening, April 18. Explosions with accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, can occur with little or no warning,” reported the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) on its Facebook account.
Some of the supplies are being shipped from other islands. Members of the Church and rotary friends worked together to pack 1000 hygiene kits in Grenada. The kits were shipped to St. Vincent yesterday as part of 84 pallets donated by various organizations.
“I am very pleased that I was able to lend a helping hand in packaging the hygiene kits for St. Vincent.” said Frederica Francis, a member of the Church in Grenada “When I got the call to help, I was about to prepare a meal. I just put everything back in the fridge and got on my phone to see who else was available to help. We can all serve in whatever way we can. I must say it gives great comfort knowing that I did something to help the needs of the people by just lending a hand. It was my pleasure.”.
Simone Cummings, another member of the Church in Grenada who helped packed the kits stated: “When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God. I felt like I always feel each time I put my shoulder to the wheel in service of my brothers and sisters. I am indeed grateful that I was able to help in doing good for others. This is charity in action,” .
At the church meetinghouse in Kingstown, a shelter with capacity for 50 people, members and friends are having devotionals three times a week. During the last one on Friday, Alan Fisher, Barbados Mission President played the guitar and sang “I am a Child of God”, a popular hymn among Latter-day Saints. This prompted people in the shelter started to sing other popular gospel songs. “We had a spiritual and edifying experience together,” said Ronique Forbes, Church Director of Communication on the island.