By Jennifer Svetlik with interviews by Javier Marquez
On October 10, Hurricane Milton, at one point a Category 5 storm, caused flooding and tornadoes across Florida and left at least 17 people dead. As the storm neared, some Mosaic congregation members in the Tampa and Sarasota areas evacuated to locations further north and east. Leaders of the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) clean-up projects in western Florida evacuated to Homestead Mennonite (south of Miami) for several nights before returning to their work, and Homestead also provided meals to the community during the storm.
“We had time to prepare and stock up on essential items. We also covered the windows with wood to protect them,” shared Pastor Secundino Casas (Evangélica Menonita Shalom [Tampa, FL]). “We prayed to God, then took refuge in what we assumed was the safest area. Shalom is a very close-knit community of faith so in every good or bad situation that happens to us, we are always together.”
As a result of Hurricane Milton, trees were knocked down and the building of College Hill (Tampa, FL) had minor damage. The front porch was damaged at the Seguidores de Cristo building (Sarasota, FL). Both congregations have been able to manage the needed repairs with resources from within their communities.
“We were in prayer for the entire community, for the church, and for all its leaders,” shared Haroldo Nunes (Seguidores de Cristo). “We must first trust in God’s promises and His assurance, so that we can then express them to our brothers and sisters.”
North Tampa (FL) Fellowship and Iglesia Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, FL) were the Mosaic congregations most impacted by hurricane-related damage. The North Tampa building needs roof repair. The Luz y Verdad building experienced wind damage and rain leaking in several places and needs various repairs.
MDS reviewed the needs of both buildings and are recommending that the fundraising for these repairs be handled internally. Mosaic congregations are invited to consider partnering directly with North Tampa or Luz y Verdad to fundraise for these repairs.
Mosaic Mennonite Conference is seeking to raise $10,000 for roof repair at North Tampa, and flood repair at Luz y Verdad.
The Shalom Fund, which responds directly to immediate needs within Mosaic congregations and their communities, is accepting donations to support the repairs needed at North Tampa and Luz y Verdad. Thank you to those who have already given generously!
Jennifer Svetlik
Jennifer is Editor & Development Coordinator for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.
Javier Márquez
Javier Márquez is Writer & Communication Coordinator for Mosaico Colombia. He is an Anabaptist Colombian pacifist and poet. He is based in Bogota, Colombia.
