Southern Baptist Disaster Relief sent an update out on all last night. This is a good, concise status on these areas.
Disaster Relief Update - Wednesday, September 30, 2009
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (HCSV)
The Lord has given Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers many opportunities to show His compassion and kindness towards others. From Georgia to American Samoa and on to the Philippines, hurting people need the touch of Christ.
Tsunami Devastates American Samoa
The North American Mission Board has been in contact with the Hawaii-Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC). The tsunami that struck American Samoa Tuesday left in its wake wholesale destruction across the capitol city. The damage includes the Baptist Seafarer’s Center where nothing is left but the cement shell. Missionaries Joeli and Tupe Sovea, along with their children, lived at the Seafarer’s Center and saw all of their personal possessions washed away with the rest of the contents of the building. Thankfully the family is safe. The Happy Valley Baptist Church, located near the airport in Pago Pago was spared. Property destruction across the island chain is immense and lost of life is great. Pray for the faithful on the ground that they may truly be a light in the darkness.
Hawaii Baptists were spared and are now in the process of preparing to respond to American Samoa with their airlift kitchen and 15 volunteers. The logistics of getting to American Samoa with the ‘Fly Away’ Feeding unit, food and volunteers to staff the unit is the next hurdle. Pray for wisdom and patience as Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Disaster Relief leaders and NAMB Staff work with the American Red Cross and FEMA. The Disaster Operations Center at NAMB is working closely with HPBC leaders in an effort to support them in this monumental task. There is the possibility units from other state conventions will be requested. If the request comes DOC staff will forward HPBC’s request knowing that SBDR volunteers will respond as they are able. We do serve an awesome God!
Read more at Baptist Press.
Floods in the Philippines
The heavy rains that flooded the Philippines have created an opportunity for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry through our working relationship with Baptist Global Response, the aid arm of the International Mission Board. BGR has requested assistance in accordance with our agreement and at this time four states (KY, SBTC, OK and TBM) are gearing up to send teams to assist in the Baptist response there.
Earthquake Shakes Indonesia
A large earthquake shook the nation of Indonesia late Tuesday. At the time of this update there has been no request from our international partner, BGR, for assistance. We do join our brothers and sisters of Indonesia in prayer. May the unbounded love and power of our Lord Jesus Christ be manifested through those already on the ground!
Georgia Cleanup Continues
We are in the midst of our second week of response to the floods that have destroyed whole neighborhoods in the Atlanta area as well as Toccoa and Trion. At the time of this update there are 7 states on site helping GA Baptists in the relief efforts. There are many other states that stand ready to assist as needed.
Support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Efforts
Your prayers are your most important contribution to all of these relief efforts. Pray for victims, volunteers and leadership.
You can also support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts with your financial gifts online or by contacting your State Baptist Convention Disaster Relief office
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Georgia Flooding Update from Southern Baptists
Georgia Flood
The Georgia flood has been described as an “epic flood.” Seventeen counties have now been declared disaster areas by the Georgia Governor’s Office with 14 of those counties having been approved and designated as disasters by the President’s Office. Damage estimates from the State Insurance Office could exceed $500 million.
The response has taken time to get underway. Stuart Lang, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Director, reported, “Some roads are still impassable.” GEMA reported that 4,636 FEMA Individual Assistance registrations have been received as of 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26th.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has activated 21 DR teams including feeding, recovery, chaplain, assessment, mud-out, and command/communication units. Mud-out teams in the Trion/Summerville area have neared completion of the work in that area. Stuart says, “Local churches have been involved in ministering to their communities.” Georgia Baptist has facilitated this ministry.
The North American Mission Board is supporting Georgia Baptist with the deployment and placement of state convention partners. Alabama has three units deployed. Additional volunteers from Alabama, Kentucky, Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, Texas Baptist Men, and Baptist General Association of Virginia have been activated and are traveling this week. Additional state partners are standing ready to respond as assessment continues and needs are clarified.
The NAMB command post, generator unit, and shower trailer have been deployed and are operational.
A staffed phone center with a toll-free number (1 800 460-6881) has been activated and is taking calls from homeowners who have been affected by the flood and need assistance. The phone center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at this time.
Please continue to pray for all involved.
National Disaster Relief Leadership
• Bruce Poss, Disaster Relief Unit Coordinator
• Terry Henderson, Disaster Relief Operations Consultant
• Karl Ragan, Disaster Relief Planning Consultant
To contact the Disaster Operation Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net
The Georgia flood has been described as an “epic flood.” Seventeen counties have now been declared disaster areas by the Georgia Governor’s Office with 14 of those counties having been approved and designated as disasters by the President’s Office. Damage estimates from the State Insurance Office could exceed $500 million.
The response has taken time to get underway. Stuart Lang, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Director, reported, “Some roads are still impassable.” GEMA reported that 4,636 FEMA Individual Assistance registrations have been received as of 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26th.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has activated 21 DR teams including feeding, recovery, chaplain, assessment, mud-out, and command/communication units. Mud-out teams in the Trion/Summerville area have neared completion of the work in that area. Stuart says, “Local churches have been involved in ministering to their communities.” Georgia Baptist has facilitated this ministry.
The North American Mission Board is supporting Georgia Baptist with the deployment and placement of state convention partners. Alabama has three units deployed. Additional volunteers from Alabama, Kentucky, Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, Texas Baptist Men, and Baptist General Association of Virginia have been activated and are traveling this week. Additional state partners are standing ready to respond as assessment continues and needs are clarified.
The NAMB command post, generator unit, and shower trailer have been deployed and are operational.
A staffed phone center with a toll-free number (1 800 460-6881) has been activated and is taking calls from homeowners who have been affected by the flood and need assistance. The phone center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at this time.
Please continue to pray for all involved.
National Disaster Relief Leadership
• Bruce Poss, Disaster Relief Unit Coordinator
• Terry Henderson, Disaster Relief Operations Consultant
• Karl Ragan, Disaster Relief Planning Consultant
To contact the Disaster Operation Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net
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