Hurricane Ivan’s impact on Grenada included the deaths of two Seventh-day Adventist church members, looting of the local church headquarters, and the destruction of the church’s two schools and half of its 37 church buildings. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grenada has more than 10,000 members, officials report.

Funeral services for an Adventist mother and daughter—whose names were not available at press time—were held on Sept. 11. On that same day, Adventist leaders from the church’s Caribbean region visited Grenada to meet with local church members and pastors, and to survey the damage.

According to Jansen Trotman, president of the church in the Caribbean, who visited the island, no more deaths among the church members were reported, but due to poor communication in and out of the island, reports of additional affected members are expected.

“Most of the churches received substantial damages to roofs because of the high winds,” says Trotman. “The churches that received minor damages are being used as shelters.”

“Our members at the present time are at a loss,” he explains. “Because Grenada is an independent country, it does not have assistance. They are at the mercy of other countries. The [local Adventist districts] in our territory have banded together in gathering funds and building materials to make available for them.”

“It’s a devastating experience for our members but God has a way of helping us bounce back,” says the church leader.

The Grenada Adventist headquarters in Grenville received roof and structural damage and its adjacent health food store was looted. Only food items were stolen; no office equipment was taken.

The two Adventist schools on the island received extensive damages to its structure and will not begin to function until early next year, says Trotman.

“We are asking our church members in the surrounding islands to help the secondary students to stay in their homes and continue their studies until classes resume next year,” he adds.

Other Caribbean islands such as Tobago and St. Vincent, which were also hit by Hurricane Ivan, will receive a visit from church officials later this week to assess the damages. Jamaica, a regional headquarters center for the church, also felt Ivan’s effects, with some member homes sustaining damage.