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SBC Disaster Relief

Disaster Relief Update - Thursday, August 19, 2010

“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain” Philippians 1:20-21 (HCSB).

What is the key to life? Paul says that in life and in death, our aim is that “Christ will be highly honored in my body.” All that we encounter in life should point to Christ. Our lives should be lived in such a way that we lift up Christ. As Southern Baptists serve others in disaster, they are reflecting the love of Christ and modeling for others how Christ responded to those in disastrous situations. He met physical needs and followed that with the spiritual help so desperately needed.

FEMA Region V Meeting

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) directors from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota/Wisconsin, and Ohio participated in a planning meeting with state and national leaders from the region. This meeting helped these state leaders connect with folks from FEMA and state and local emergency management. SBDR plays a vital role in meeting the needs brought out by natural and man-made disasters.

Iowa Flooding

Flooding in central and eastern Iowa followed three straight nights of strong thunderstorms. Ty Berry, Iowa state disaster relief director, reports that volunteers from Iowa have responded, but there is still much work to be done. There may be an upcoming need for volunteers from other states.

Missouri Flooding

Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief mudout teams spent the end of July and early August working several mudout jobs following flooding in northwest Missouri and Hannibal. The teams cleaned homes and the basement of First Baptist Church of Big Lake.

A video of the work in Hannibal and photos of the work in northwest Missouri are posted on the Missouri Baptist Missions website.

Photo: A Missouri mudout team works on a home in Big Lake, Mo., following flooding in northwest Missouri.

Rio Grande Floods

SBDR volunteers continue to serve in the Rio Grande City area. Forty-one homes have been cleared of mud and debris so far. Teams from Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC), Texas Baptist Men (TBM), and the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma have served 394 volunteer days, witnessing 118 people make a decision for Christ.

Volunteers in Laredo and Rio Bravo completed 22 jobs as they shared the hope of Jesus. In the process, 44 people trusted in Him.

SBTC has been working with Baptist Global Response (BGR), First Baptist Church Brownsville, First Baptist Church Pflugerville, Westside Baptist Church (Atlanta ), and local churches in Mexico to provide food, water, and hope to the people impacted by Hurricane Alex and the Rio Grande floods. To date, more than 350 volunteers have cleaned 16 ministry sites of mud and debris, provided meals for 14,332 people, and seen 167 people come to trust Jesus as their Lord.

Haiti Earthquake

God’s hand continues to be seen in the midst of the devastation of Haiti. Teams from Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas, Utah, and other states reporting recently shared how God prepared the way before them. Some teams who thought they were coming only to do physical labor have responded to the spiritual needs of the Haitians by providing a daily Bible study as other team members worked. The people of Haiti are hungry for the word of God. A team in Cap-Haitien, where voodoo is strong, led evangelism training for children and adults. The face of Haiti is being changed one person at a time.

Read Oklahoma teams ready to build permanent homes for Haitians  in Oklahoma's Baptist Messenger.

Pakistan Flooding

3 million homeless in Pakistan

Lori Funderburk, Baptist Global Response (BGR) international prayer strategist, writes:

The worst flooding in Pakistan’s history has carried away the lives of over 1,600 people. The disaster caused by the monsoon rains has affected more than 20 million people, leaving at least 3 million homeless. The country’s agricultural sector has suffered losses amounting to nearly $3 billion and UN officials say nearly $500 million will be needed for eliminating the aftermath of this calamity.

The greatest concern right now is that people’s supplies of drinking water have been contaminated by the flood waters. Risks are mounting of outbreaks of various infections. BGR personnel are on the ground in Islamabad, assessing how the immediate needs of the people can be met.

Pray for the people of Pakistan. For many of them, things will get worse before they get better. Pray for our national partners to have the energy they need and to get needed rest. Pray that we will be able to effectively get help to many who need it.

You can help by giving to the Pakistan Disaster Response Fund.

Baptist Global Response on Facebook

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Activity Reported Year to Date

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