Torch pastor Mike Thomas, second from left, seen here leaving for Haiti last week, says The Torch mission team from Demorest is safe. They’re now tending to the homeless and injured in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
A glimmer of good news coming out of Haiti today amidst the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. A four-man team from The Torch church in Demorest has finally made contact with their families back here at home and all of them are safe.
The four-man team consisting of pastors Mike Franklin and Mike Thomas, media coordinator Daniel Usher and Charles Parker, arrived in Haiti on September 30th, just days ahead of the storm. When Matthew struck The Torch orphanage, school and church compound in Deyemone, Haiti where they were staying they were safe, but have virtually been cut off from all communications since then. Until now.
Torch Outreach Minister Mike Thomas posted this entry to his Facebook page Thursday:
“We are OK and good. Storm was terribly bad. We have no phone and roads are blocked. Everything is destroyed except the buildings on the compound,” Thomas writes.
The Torch compound is being used as a shelter, with 81 people in the guest house and 400-500 in the compound’s other buildings. “Trying to provide medical, food and clothes, all churches and most houses, and trees gone except main church and school and it (sic) damaged bad. Very overwhelming but God is helping us,” he writes.
Saying the team is doing “great and are healthy and safe,” Thomas asked those viewing his post to make sure to let all of the team member’s families know they are safe as communication was virtually cut off after Hurricane Matthew blew through the island nation Monday.
“It’s just scary knowing they’re there and not knowing what they’re going through. We’re just praying and hoping that they get home soon.” ~ Angela Usher
“The country has been without power. Phone or internet,” Thomas adds. “I am writing in hopes it will go through when possibly (sic). Please pray for strength. I love you very much. All torch lives were saved at this time. Many others have died or are injured. I have some at house that must get to hospital due to broken bones but I can’t get them out yet. Will start today wed. Clearing road and trying to make a way.will call when I can. Today we have started cleanup started resplinted little boys leg to ease pain.cleared road to closest town to find food. Thursday morning no rain.”
Angela Usher of Alto, whose husband Daniel is one of the team members, tells Now Habersham that the information in Thomas’ post is all the families know right now. “It’s just scary knowing they’re there and not knowing what they’re going through. We’re just praying and hoping that they get home soon.”
READ: The ‘Situation is catastrophic’ says Haitian president
Hurricane Matthew is now being blamed for at least 264 deaths in Haiti, bringing the storm’s death toll so far to 270, according to the Weather Channel.
RELATED: Deal orders mandatory evacuation of 6 coastal counties
Matthew is now headed for the southeastern United States. The outer bands of the deadly category 4 hurricane began pelting Florida this afternoon. It’s expected to hit the mainland by midnight.
Last update 10/6/16@8pm
