We're raising money to help restore power for Gaynel's parents, Celene and Barry, following Hurricane Melissa.

Celene and Barry live in St Elizabeth, also known as the Bread Basket of Jamaica. They were still recovering from the damage caused last July by Hurricane Beryl when Hurricane Melissa landed as a Category 5 storm in late October 2025. Thankfully, their lives were spared, but the nearly 200 mile/hour winds at the center of the storm caused terrible damage throughout their area, including to their home and neighborhood, the surrounding roads, and countryside.

Through their work in local ministry and as business leaders, Celene and Barry provide leadership, mentoring, and employment and connection to neighbors near and far.

They are currently without power, and based on their experiences last year, do not expect central power to return until at least December. Their limited access and the high cost of diesel fuel and generator maintenance/repairs makes running a fuel-powered generator impractical (they are having to choose between fuel for a generator, and food for themselves and their neighbors). As a result, they are without light, refrigeration, clean water, news, or stable communication.

What they need most at this time is: A SOLAR POWERED GENERATOR!

Their daughter Gaynel and her husband Joshua live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gaynel has been beside herself with grief and concern for her family's safety and future welfare, even as she entrusts their care to God. Gaynel has the voice of an angel and is a part-time ministry leader, which makes her a wonderful blessing to her church community but also means she cannot afford to support them on her own.

Gaynel's goal is buy her parents a solar-powered generator here in the United States and ship it to them. This an urgent goal--at this time there are no fees or taxes imposed on goods shipped for emergency relief to Jamaica, but that moratorium ends on November 30.

The solar-powered generator will cost approximately 1500.00 (currently on sale); additional sales tax and shipping to Jamaica will cost approximately 150.00.

Gaynel asks, please help us get the lights, refrigerator, water pump, and wifi on for Mummy and Daddy! If they can power their appliances and communications, they can also share these resources with their neighbors. We know storm recovery will be long, and that as storms increase in frequency and severity, this will not be the last one they face. Our goal is to provide a renewable source of power that will serve them for many seasons to come.

Sincerely,

Friends of Gaynel and Josh