Disaster Relief Update Tuesday, March 9, 2010

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 1 Corinthians 1:3-5 (HCSB)

Chile Earthquake

The Southern Baptist assessment team continues their work. Cliff Satterwhite, South Carolina disaster relief director, reported that feeding blue hats and assistants from South Carolina and Southern Baptist of Texas Conventions departed Monday afternoon from Atlanta en route to Santiago, Chile. From there the team will travel overland to the quake damaged area. These volunteers will teach Chilean Baptists how to do mass care feeding. The team members from South Carolina also include incident command and communications specialists. Pray for these and other volunteers as this response continues. A second team is scheduled to depart March 15^th.

Haiti Earthquake  

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The Haiti earthquake occurred eight weeks ago. Many organizations have pulled their resources out of the ravaged country. The news media has moved on to other things, but Southern Baptists are still working to increase the flow of relief into the country while seeking to spread the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit continues its work.

Over the weekend, the incident command team reported that the California medical team attended a church service with one of the Haitian pastors. The church building had a dirt and gravel floor. It was full with the congregation spilling out into the street, over 350 people in all. The children were in Sunday School outside under a mango tree. The people, all of whom had lost their homes and most whom had lost loved ones, sang with joy and gusto, enthusiastically celebrating the greatness, love, and bounty of the Lord. As one team member put it, they were, ”pouring out their souls in song. They didn’t have a choir, but they didn’t need one.”

The incident command team continues to search for additional housing for volunteers. Additional housing will enable increased volunteers and ministry opportunities. It is expected there will be a slight slowing of the stream of volunteers around Easter as Haitian pastors celebrate the resurrection with their congregations.

If you are looking for a video that documents SBDR work in Haiti, look here:

Florida Baptist Convention video

North American Mission Board video

Southern Baptists can support the Haitian pastors through prayer. Visit www.namb.net/Pray4Haiti and participate in a virtual prayer walk around Port-au-Prince. Additional prayer walks will be added as new ministry sites are established.

“Buckets of Hope” 

“Buckets of Hope” are beginning to pour into Florida as they continue their journey to Haiti. A recent comment on Facebook stated, “Buckets of Hope is easily one of the best relief ministries I have seen. I am a college student and work for a Baptist association in Missouri, but I have a home church in Springfield, Ill., and people have just swarmed this idea... It is going to help out so many people...” 

See more photos and share yours on the SBDR Facebook page. 

Read a local news story and watch a video about North Carolina “Buckets of Hope.” 

Many have given sacrificially to help Southern Baptists meet the needs of the millions of Haitians affected by the earthquake. Give thanks to God for the multitudes of Southern Baptists for sharing the love of Christ through prayer, monetary gifts, and “Buckets of Hope.” Read two of their stories.

“FIRST-PERSON: Miss Katelyn gives all she has” – by Bill Townes, NAMB Development Officer

“Haiti Donations Come From the Heart” – by Barbara Denman, Florida Baptist Convention

Read more about the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief effort in Haiti.

American Samoa

The Kentucky rebuild team continues their work on the island. The team has completed one rebuild project and begun work on the next home. From masonry to electrical, carpentry to plumbing, the volunteers are bringing their skills to help families in American Samoa get out of tents and into their homes. 

Support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Efforts

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief responds to disasters across the US and around the world. Donations are fully tax deductable and 100% of all gifts are used to meet the needs of hurting people in the wake of disasters. Donations can be made online, by phone (866) 407-6262, or by mail - checks should be made payable to "North American Mission Board" and sent to Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543.

Donate via Text: If you like the simplicity of making a donation via cell phone and text message, you can now do so to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Text the word nambdr to 40579. A $10 donation will be charged to your cell phone account and sent to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

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