Hillsborough church missionaries ride out storm in Haiti
HILLSBOROUGH (WTVD) -- Hurricane Matthew's devastating aftermath in Haiti left hundreds dead and thousands without a home.
Also caught in the storm were four Orange County missionaries from Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hillsborough.
The group was stuck on the island. Flights leaving the country were grounded according to the church's associate pastor, Currie Tilley.
"The reaction was one of concern for our people," Tilley said. "But while we were concerned about their safety, there's a much bigger picture."
Tilley said Hurricane Matthew shifted their focus from rebuilding the community after 2010's earthquake recovery to storm cleanup.
The church keeps its Facebook followers updated on the group's relief efforts.
On Tuesday, the missionaries delivered 300 bags of food to those in need.
Tilley said the group has been working nonstop after the storm.
"They texted me just a little while ago to let me know how things are going. Good spirits. But they are obviously tired," Tilley said. "This is a time where their faith is increasing as well. To see that God is at work and using them right where they are. Sometimes God has a different plan than what you were expecting."
The group took shelter at a compound provided by Haiti Outreach Ministries, which is the organization the missionary group is assisting.
The missionaries are planning to return Sunday, but that depends on whether they can get a flight out of South Florida.
Tilley said it just depends on what impact Hurricane Matthew brings to the Florida coast.
If you would like to support Haiti Outreach Ministries and learn more about the missionaries' work, visit ebconnect.org.
