"We are not the same people we were two weeks ago," the couple say when reached by phone. "Everything is lower. There's no contact with people, we go to their houses because sometimes phones don't work. Everything is completely different."

The two pastor Iglesia La Viña de Mayagüez church along the western coast of Puerto Rico. They're desperate to serve their community but have limited resources due to the storm. Their biggest need? Cash—cold, hard cash.

"This is an experience we've never had before because we are so used to plastic—debit cards, credit cards," Cuchy says. "[It's been] tough for a lot of people because they didn't have enough cash. The banks were closed, and they just opened. This is a different environment. But some aspects [are a] blessing, too. We are more aware of our fragility and our dependency on the internet, the technical stuff and the technology. We have been able to get to know our neighbors, work together at church. We spent a whole day at church just cleaning and fixing things there. It has been not all bad."

As the island attempts to move back into routine—which is extremely limited, due to continued power outages and lack of basic resources—the Suarezes say their community members are tired and grumpy, stuck in lines for hours on end just to attend to basic needs.

So today, the couple will hand out juice and cookies at banks, gas stations—basically wherever they see a line.
"[A bank manager] was telling me that he goes to have some conversations with people in line just to be there for them, just the fact that they're talking to you brings them comfort. That's what we want to do, just be there, comfort them and give them sugar to keep going," Marvin says.

The church campus also has a well on site, which has the couple scrambling to find a water pump so they can distribute the necessity to those around them. They will also soon offer at least one hot meal a day and prayer to anyone who stops by.

"What we've learned from this experience that the church was not hurricane ready. That is something we are going to work on," Marvin says. "For these kind of tropical incidents, we need to have a good generator, install water pumps at the well and be a safe place for people to come right after the hurricane blows over us. Then, even though I have been working with constructors to get the electrical poles put in place, it's impossible, because these guys are subcontracted by the government to deal with bigger stuff. They put all their energy and resources into that.

Without internet and with only spartan phone service, the church is dependent on signs to tell its neighbors about the outreaches. They may have next to nothing, but they know God is still good.

"I have seen the Lord's hand in every move," Marvin says. "The Church is different, but the Church is alive."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Trump's Saudi Nuclear Deal Could Remake the Middle East (Video)

Latest on Iran: Saudi Arabia Expects IRGC-coordinated Attacks by Militias as US Talks Remain in Limbo

Prayer Alert: Cyberattacks Target Water Systems Across Multiple States

Rare Bipartisan Crackdown on Those Who Protest Near a House of Worship (Video)

Trump Administration Locates 148,000 Unaccounted-For Illegal Immigrant Children

RFK Jr and HHS Decertifies Kentucky Organ Procurement Organization That Tried to Harvest Organs from Patient Despite 'Signs of Life'

'Now I Believe!': Czech Fighter Says Israel Brought Him Closer to God

[Watch] Spokane Fire Survivor Finds 'Joy' through Jesus After Alleged Arson Destroys Home and Belongings

Prayer Alert: Congo Missionaries Sound the Alarm about Ebola Outbreak

Trump Administration Slashes Regulations on Low-Income Childcare Program; Will Save Billions, Enable Head Start Expansion

Connecticut Hospital Agrees to End Transgender Mutilation and Medication of Children

How Democratic Socialists Are Backed by American CCP Apologists in Shanghai

MI Primary Winner El-Sayed Campaign Backed by Over $100,000 from Dozens of Members of Group With Alleged Terror Ties

VP Vance Calls on Congress to Enforce Federal Anti-Fraud Efforts, Fund Investigations

More Than 600,000 Voter Files Ripped Off Arizona Site in 2020 by Hacker, But DOJ Didn't Prosecute

Alleged Arsonist Arrested for the Spokane Fire Has Been Investigated Before for the Very Same Thing and More

'All He Had to do Was Tell the Truth': Senate Committee Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt of Congress

Wisconsin's Dem Socialist Candidate for Governor Defends Her Call to 'Cancel Thanksgiving'

New WI Poll Shows Affordability Top Issue, Socialism NOT Popular

Caught in Hypocrisy, Mamdani Backtracks on IDs for Marxist Marts