On Sunday, April 20th a tornado swept through the Dominican Republic including where a majority of the T.E.A.R.S team work and live (La Vega). Here’s an excerpt from an article in today’s newspaper telling about the storm.
Tornadoes hit three provinces
At least one death was reported and several people were wounded as tornadoes struck La Vega, Santiago and San Pedro de Macoris yesterday afternoon. The Dominican Republic does not have a tornado warning system because they are such a rare occurrence. The only reported fatality, Mercedes Torres, 62, died while being treated for her injuries after being crushed and trapped by a collapsing wall in her home. Four others were slightly injured by the storm that hit La Vega at 2:40 in the afternoon with high winds, hailstones and heavy rain. In Villa Gonzalez, Santiago and San Pedro de Macoris, the strong winds tore roofing materials off several houses. Reports also filtered in from San Francisco de Macoris telling of more dwellings damaged. Luis Luna Paulino, the chief of the Dominican Civil Defense told El Nuevo Diario reporters that, so far, only one fatality has been reported.
Tracy Mullins, a T.E.A.R.S. missionary was at the coast when the Tornado hit, soaking up the sun and watching the group she was with playing in the waves. She said “she never ever would have guessed that back in La Vega her friends were getting pelted with large hailstones inside their homes, that Obed and Rosmary’s entire roof was being torn off (the third floor of the building complex she lives in), that half of the schools’ third floor roof blew off, or that other friends lost their roofs as well.”
Please pray for those who lost their roofs, homes, and valuables and that their needs will be provided for. And please praise God with us that He kept so many people safe. Also check out the pictures below and Heidi’s blog for a photo of the school’s missing roof.
Above: a few photos of Obed and Rosmery’s house
This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
To all my brothers and sisters who I consider as my family. We are praying for you out here in Los Angeles California, USA. Myself along with the family of believers out here are standing with you in prayer and we all eagerly await the opportunity to help in any way possible. Be encouraged in the Lord knowing that all things work together for our good the ones who love God and are called according to his purpose.
Mas que en mi mente, estan en mi corazon.
Slack