The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November every year, with an average of 14 storms, seven becoming hurricanes and three reaching major disaster status.
Enter Maria, a force of nature more than 250 miles across, with winds reaching 175 miles per hour. The result: $90 billion in damage, an estimated 3,000 fatalities and 80 percent of the power grid gone, leaving much of the island without electricity for over a month.
It was the deadliest natural disaster ever to hit Puerto Rico and the fourth costliest hurricane in US history. Coming at a time when the country’s already fragile infrastructure was strained to its limits, first responders, military and emergency services found it nearly impossible to cope.
Roads were impassable beneath waist-high flooding or trees toppled across highways. Families in nearly every home were without food, water or electricity, with no way to be reached.
To David Lopez, it was not just a matter of seeing that action should be taken, but knowing it had to be in order to save lives.
“My passion is to help others overcome their fears, their troubles.”
Lopez heads a team of Volunteer Ministers (VMs) in Puerto Rico, part of a global initiative of volunteers who provide unconditional help whenever and wherever needed under the banner of “Something Can Be Done About It.” VMs make up one of the world’s most widely recognized independent relief organizations and use the practical tools contained in The Scientology Handbook to improve conditions.
“My passion is to help others overcome their fears, their troubles,” says Lopez. “I like to lift them up so that they can themselves handle their own problems.”
But dealing with the aftermath of Maria was the biggest challenge Lopez had ever faced as a Volunteer Minister.
“When Hurricane Maria came, it destroyed the whole infrastructure,” said Lopez. “The wind was so strong that the power lines were destroyed, and the streets were full of water.”
The first step: Clear the roads so military and emergency teams could get through. Lopez’s team procured chain saws and hatchets and moved methodically across the island, cutting up and removing fallen trees and other debris blocking the highways.
As areas became accessible, Volunteer Ministers immediately began delivering food, water and urgently needed medical supplies and equipment, including hospital beds for children.
The emergency relief continued for months without letup. Lopez reached out to Volunteer Ministers in Florida, who sent food and supplies to the island. All told, more than 7,000 pounds of supplies were distributed over three months to those in need. Lopez and his team worked continually for 380 days to assist those whose lives were upended by Maria.
Gradually, through the efforts of emergency services personnel, military, other first responders and Volunteer Ministers, order began returning to the island.
“With the hurricane gone, we needed to empower people to handle their own problems,” said Lopez, describing the next phase of his work—helping his fellow Puerto Ricans rebuild their lives. “We needed to change our focus to long-term recovery. We decided to use the tools of The Scientology Handbook and bring them to local churches, because churches are the pillars of our society.”
Meeting with priests, pastors and other religious leaders throughout the island, Lopez provided tools each could use to assist their congregations with the difficulties in their lives. Concurrently, teams of Volunteer Ministers visited every city on the island, setting up their signature bright yellow tents and providing the Tools for Life to those looking for answers.
“The Volunteer Minister program has helped me to help others to improve their lives and to turn chaos into something great,” said Lopez, who continues his work to uplift communities in Puerto Rico. “It is very rewarding to see a person getting the help they need to change their life and now enjoy a future.”
