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Disaster Relief

Kentucky Governor References Bible For Recovery From Devastating Floods

by Christa August 13, 2022

written by Christa

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear points to the hope of God’s word amid the devastation the flood brought to the state. He declared God’s promise in the book of Joshua, “the Lord is with you.”

Kentucky governor

The heavy rain poured on eight counties within five days, flooding them with rushing water. It has displaced thousands of families while many still remain without electricity.

A news media outlet reported that at least 14 died in Knott County, including four children. And more than 1,400 residents were rescued by boats and helicopters.

Nonetheless, the Kentucky governor leaned on God’s protection and ever-present help in times of trouble. He said, “In the book of Joshua, God says, ‘be strong and courageous, do not be frightened, do not be dismayed; for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.”

“And as I stood at the site where we lost those four children – nothing remains of that house,” he added. “But a little plastic swing is still sitting in the back where they would push one or two of those children, the oldest being just in second grade. Tragedy just hits all that more home.”

Scientists explained that “training thunderstorms,” or storms that repeatedly move across the same place over a short time, and Kentucky’s geographical site, are the perfect combinations for a deadly flood. The rainfall estimates to be 14 to 16 inches, undoubtedly causing the heavy downpours.

Operation Blessing

CBN’s Operation Blessing rushed to aid the survivors. They helped families remove debris and served warm meals to 5,000 residents and local emergency personnel. Moreover, they brought 140,000 pounds of relief supplies and delivered them to the affected.

Production Chef Ben Bennett released a statement. He said, “No matter how low you can go, there’s always hope, a way up, and a way out. If we can do nothing more than serve them some food, a meal, and a bottle of water, they can see that we care and we love them. And to me, that’s what it’s all about.”

Reference: CBN News

August 13, 2022 0 comment

Articles

Convoy Of Hope Partners With Local Churches To Bring Aid To Victims Of West Coast Fires

by Christa September 27, 2020

written by Christa

Convoy of Hope, a faith-based relief organization, has partnered with local churches around the West Coast regions to help families suffering from the wildfire. The recent wildfires have claimed 30 lives and have burned millions of acres of land.

Convoy of Hope

Stacy Lamb, senior director of Convoy of Hope, told Christian Post that they have sent out loads of supplies for California and Oregon. “In California and Oregon at the moment, we’re working with multiple churches out there to provide them the resources so that they can do distribution even through to local evacuation centers or whatever the case may be,” he said.

He emphasized that people unaffected by the wildfire should understand “the scope of the situation” and “pray for the folks out there”. He described the experience as “almost apocalyptic”.

“Even the folks that aren’t necessarily in harm’s way from the fire, the smoke, and all the ash and all those things out there are just impacting so many more people. From the standpoint of fresh air and people that have any type of breathing ailments or anything like that, [they] are greatly impacted by these fires as well,” he said.

The wildfires on the West Coast are reportedly the most damaging since 2019.

Compassion

Pastor Jim Mattix, one of the partners of Convoy of Hope, shared his grief for the families displaced and lost because of the tragedy. 48 families have come to his church to asking for help.

“I look at people’s faces when they come in and I listen to their stories,” said Pastor Jim.

“We just gave them whatever we had. We have clothes, blankets, food, all the necessities that they would need to restart. So it’s been a blessing to them, it’s been a blessing to us to be a part of that,” he added.

“It’s hard to grasp a hold of it and say, ‘How can we help?’ I feel like any help we do is minimal and doesn’t really make an impact, whereas, to the people, it’s huge. But to us, like, man I wish I could build you a house, I wish I could buy you a car to replace the one that burned down.”

“But we can’t. We can only do what we can.”

ALSO READ: Heart-Wrenching Story Behind The 13-Year-Old Victim Found With His Dog During Oregon Wildfires

September 27, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Local Churches and Faith-Based Organizations Team Up To Bring Relief For Iowa

by Christa August 24, 2020

written by Christa

Local churches in Iowa, mostly hard hit by the derecho storm, partnered with some of the faith-based organizations to repair and bring relief from the devastating inland hurricane.

On August 10, violent winds crossed over Iowa leaving the state in a dire condition. The storm packing up to 112 mph winds took down trees and power lines, leveled corn crops, and damaged grain bins and properties. Residents went days without power thus spoiling whatever food was left in their fridge.

Local churches and faith-based organizations

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Iowa, recalled his experience. “The tornado sirens went off, so we went down into the basement of the parsonage. You could hear the wind and things just breaking, all around you, for about 20 to 30 minutes straight. At first we thought a tornado was hitting. But it was not until the storm was starting to dissipate that I looked outside, and saw trees down all around our street, and then I looked back at the church, and my mouth just dropped open.” Half of their church was gone.

Pam Schulz, executive director of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, says that it’s going to be a long recovery. “When we had the flood here in 2008, most people who went to serve could come home to a house with air conditioning and what looked normal. Well, you can’t even drive down the street without seeing damage now anywhere in the entire community.”

Samaritan’s Purse Gives Aid To Lebanon After Catastrophic Explosion

Local churches immediately partnered with faith-based organizations for aid and support. Schulz said, “I feel really blessed that we have the ability to talk to one another and work together in this.”

She added, “Many of the volunteers working to repair damage, remove debris and distribute aid are community members who themselves have been impacted by the storm. They tell [me] others have it worse than them and that they’re happy to help.”

God, shelter in the storm

Meanwhile, Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian disaster relief organization led by Franklin Graham, has rallied with other churches and sent out a team for distribution of relief goods. In consideration of the ongoing pandemic, Keeth Willingham, Samaritan’s Purse program manager, said they are taking the needed precautions. He said volunteers must test negative and should observe social distancing with masks always on.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure we’re not being a part of any of the problems associated with COVID,” he said.

Rev. Sherrie Ilg, of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, encourages everyone throughout these challenges. “God continues to be our shelter after this storm,” she said. “We’ve made it through that storm. Now God continues to be a center and a place of grounding ourselves.”

Reference: Christian Headlines

August 24, 2020 0 comment

News

Pray for the Victims of Flooding in Kerala, India

by GOD TV August 18, 2018

written by GOD TV

Gospel for Asia (GFA) has issued an urgent appeal for help in responding to some of the worst flooding in almost a century that has claimed several hundred lives and displaced nearly a quarter of a million people in southern India.

GIVE NOW to support GFA’s disaster relief work in Kerala here: gfa.org/flood

GFA-supported workers have already begun distributing emergency supplies to some of the victims of the torrential rain in Kerala state, which has disrupted transportation and communication. Official rescue and relief efforts are also getting underway in many places with government help.

Some people have had to be rescued from rooftops by helicopter and by boat, while buildings and bridges have been swept away. Thirteen of Kerala’s 14 districts have been affected in what chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has called an “extremely grave” crisis.

While GFA-supported workers are gathering dry ration kits containing food, clean water and other essentials like clothes, tarps and toiletries, they are still waiting to learn the full extent of their own losses from the flooding in the region, where they have been involved in a wide range of caring ministries for decades. So far, at least one church led by a GFA-supported pastor and several Bridge of Hope centers are known to have been damaged.

“I have never seen rain like this in my life,” said GFA founder, Dr. K.P. Yohannan. “No matter which way I look, it is like I am surrounded by an ocean of water. Many have escaped with only the clothes on their backs. To rebuild and restore what has been lost will take time. We are doing all we can to help those in immediate need, and we are asking people everywhere to stand with us through prayers and giving so that we can do more to bring comfort and care in the name of Jesus.”

In a special emergency appeal report posted at GFA’s website, video footage from GFA-supported workers in the area shows water surging up the side of buildings, and people lining up to be taken away by boat.

Standing in water that covers the main local highway, Dr. Daniel Johnson, leader of GFA-supported medical ministry, says, “We are helping. We are trying to do what we can, but do pray. There is a lot more help we need.”

Donations to support GFA’s disaster relief work in Kerala can be made at: gfa.org/flood

GFA (Gospel for Asia, and its international affiliates have—for almost 40 years—provided humanitarian assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially among those who have yet to hear the Good News. Last year, this included more than 70,000 children, free medical services in over 1,200 villages and remote communities, 4,000 wells drilled, 11,000 water filters installed, Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry.

August 18, 2018 0 comment

News

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Offers Hope to Those Affected by Carr Wildfire

by GOD TV August 4, 2018

written by GOD TV

The Carr Fire has been called one of the most destructive in California’s history, having claimed hundreds of homes

Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team are in Redding, California, ministering to the emotional and spiritual needs of homeowners and those displaced by the Carr wildfire. According to current news reports, the fire has destroyed some 1,000 homes and has claimed the lives of six people, including two firefighters. It’s already being ranked as one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the state.

“Every time we witness a wildfire we are amazed and grieved by the power of the blaze and the devastating impact that it has on those caught in its path,” said Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “Many are staying in shelters right now, unsure of what is happening to their homes. Others have been confronted with the sad reality that all they’ve worked for is now ash and rubble. Our teams will offer the hope and comfort of Jesus as people begin to search for answers and a ‘new normal’ in their lives.”

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is deploying in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization also headed by Franklin Graham. Together the two ministries are addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who have been affected.

“Please continue to pray for all those affected by this wildfire in California,” said Graham. “Especially pray for the protection of all those battling this and many blazes in several states in the west.”

The deployment to California is the latest in a series of outreaches following natural disasters. Crisis-trained chaplains are also currently meeting emotional and spiritual needs in Mati, Greece (wildfire); Hidalgo County, Texas (flooding); and Marshalltown, Iowa (tornado)

About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into an international network of chaplains in the US, UK, Canada and Australia who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 300 disaster sites, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.

August 4, 2018 0 comment