Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
This Month of June, we reflect on a number of celebrations including the beginning of the Hurricane Season and Family Month.
Today we offer notes of praise and thanks to God for having brought us through our last Hurricane Season. We note that we are already in the 2022 Hurricane Season with its official dates being 1st June 2022 - 30th November 2022.
Hurricanes, it is said, are "the most powerful weather event on earth”. Someone has described it as being faster than a cheetah, the fastest animal on land. Hurricanes produce winds between 74 miles or 119 kilometers per hour or even more.
A research was done by Holt and Patterson on the history of hurricane development, including the factors that create climates conducive to major storms. They both agree that ‘conditions are ripe for another active Atlantic hurricane season’.
Here are the 21 names selected for the 2022 hurricane season: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Martin, Nicole, Owen, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie and Walter.
As you have realized, they have names like persons we have around us. However, hurricanes are not our friends. Many of us and our families have had to undergo great pain and suffering because of hurricanes. In some cases, our experiences have been so terrible that they are still negatively impacting our lives today. Some of us have lost our homes, our businesses, our friends and even family members here in our Federation and in other parts of the world due to hurricanes.
Let me therefore, ask everyone of you to take this hurricane season very seriously. Take nothing for granted. You need not wait for the announcement of the approach of the first hurricane, to begin to prepare. Remember, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’. Advanced and adequate preparation can save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
In closing, I commend to you the admonition and advice found in Proverbs 6:6-8 pointing to the insect called ant, as an example for our preparation. As the ant prepares for winter by storing food during the summer, so should you and I begin to prepare now for a serious hurricane season. This could be a great life-saving venture if you act now, in wisdom.
Love and best wishes to your wonderful family, from my family and myself.
Yours in Christ
Tyrone Hunkins