In a display of community service, missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints traveled from Grenada to Carriacou and Petite Martinique to embark on a two-day effort to help all three islands after Hurricane Beryl's devastation.
On July 1, 2024, island areas of the eastern Caribbean were hit by a category 4 hurricane, causing widespread destruction. A group of nine missionaries serving in Grenada arrived the following Saturday, July 6 in response to the urgent need for aid. The group was led by Elder Whitehead, a senior missionary with over 20 years of experience with emergencies. The team began their relief efforts in the St George and Grenville area of Grenada, which is home to 100 members of the Church on the east side of the island. The focus was on providing essential supplies and support to those affected by the hurricane.
After helping in Grenada, the group traveled to Carriacou. The food distribution warehouse in Carriacou, in the Grenadines, became a critical hub for relief efforts on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The nine missionaries from Grenada were joined by local missionaries and people from the community to give much-needed service.
With the destruction of some ferries in the harbor, transportation to Petite Martinique posed a significant challenge. Undeterred, the missionaries took a small boat to reach the island, ensuring that aid reached even the most isolated communities. Beyond the immediate relief efforts, the missionary volunteers have committed to a variety of future projects aimed at helping with damaged homes.
As the projects continue to unfold, the collaborative spirit between the missionaries and the residents of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique demonstrates the power of compassion and unity.
Elder Dallin Burneson, a missionary serving in Grenada, reflected on his experience: “Last weekend, I joined my fellow missionaries in Grenada to go to Carriacou and Petite Martinique to help with care packages and relief efforts. It's a humbling experience seeing the disaster left by the hurricane. When a disaster such as this happens, it is readily apparent that people need help. However, in our own individual lives, we walk past people each day who are going through their own hurricanes. Everyone is fighting their own battles; some don't think they will make it. It is our responsibility to find these people and serve them. This could mean a call, a hug, an apology, anything!”
'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' John 13:35