Bentonville pastor returns from Cuba after weathering Hurricane Ian
When Hurricane Ian ripped through Cuba, knocking out power to the entire island of 11 million people, Ronnie Swadley of Bentonville was in the middle of it.
“Everything was fine when we got there,” said Swadley. “Then that evening the rain started coming in and overnight it got more severe. Then the electricity went out, so we were without power for three days.”
Swadley was on a mission trip with his wife and another Northwest Arkansas pastor. He said where he was located didn’t get the brunt of the storm. But several of those visiting did.
“We had four families that were with us at the conference, and they live in Pinar del Rio, and all four of these families lost everything,” said Swadley.
With no home to go back to, Swadley said the families remained at the conference.
“We tried to comfort them and told them we would solicit help in the United States as we could to support them,” said Swadley. “You can tell they were overwhelmed and grieving.”
No electricity meant the airport was shut down. The group had to postpone their return trip until power was restored. The drive to Havana provided Swadley with a clear picture of Hurricane Ian’s wrath.
“We saw power lines that were down, a lot of trees around the wall where the ocean meets,” said Swadley. “There were a lot of lines when we got into Havana, people standing, waiting to get bread or rice or oil.”
Swadley’s church, Equip NWA, is raising funds for the families that lost their homes.