East Africa Response
By Daniel Vestal, Sept. 1, 2011
I want to ask for your help to transform the lives of suffering people in East Africa. While Americans are fixated on the fluctuations of the stock market and fretting over their retirement plans, millions of Africans are struggling to survive. East Africa is experiencing its worst famine in the last 60 years and the United Nations has declared a state of emergency. Catastrophic conditions exist, and many are migrating as refugees from Somalia into Kenya and Ethiopia.
The famine is easily blamed on lack of rainfall and food shortages. However, the crisis is more multi-faceted and complex with deep roots in poverty and exploitation. While the scarcity of food and water is real, the situation is compounded by spiritual darkness, political oppression, war and mismanagement of resources. CBF’s strategy is to be active in both relief and development dynamics of the crisis with a stronger emphasis on addressing the root causes.
The nearly 750,000 people in refugee camps are managed by the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights (UNHCR) and respective agencies to provide food, water, shelter and medicine. These are large scale efforts in Kenya and Ethiopia backed by the resources of contributing nations. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship already has a presence in these countries through field personnel and reliable partners. So our efforts will utilize existing relationships to encourage long term solutions of the issues that plague this region.
I think it is important for you to know that at least two global Baptist bodies have already provided funding through CBF to assist with this response. Baptist World Aid and the BMS World Mission (UK) have both committed $25,000 respectively to this effort. We are grateful for their partnership in meeting this great challenge.
CBF Response
While CBF is not a disaster response agency, we are well-positioned to build on existing relationships established by our field personnel in the area as well as partnerships built over years of collaboration. Our efforts will make a significant difference in the lives of East Africans suffering from the famine. Pathways for immediate response in medicine, feeding and water are possible if the funding is available. On our website is a more detailed response plan.
We will support strategic feeding and medical efforts among Somali groups in northeastern Kenya at or near Garissa. This effort will be in partnership with Bulla Iftin, an integrated Child Development Center (ICDC) and also a group of Somali health practitioners (SIMAHO) with whom we have been in partnership for more than six years. In both of these places we are concerned with holistic issues including water, sanitation, nutrition, education, malaria prevention, deworming and micronutrient as well as outreach to the greater community through capacity building and income generation.
We will also work alongside local committees and coordinators in northwestern Kenya for outreach in Nakwijit and Sigor locations to provide nutrient supplement for immune-compromised persons, develop emergency water resources where applicable, prevent infection and spread of malaria to already compromised communities. These local committees and coordinators have already formed and will be the basis for gathering information and suggesting methods for intervention.
We will support efforts to provide access to safe drinking water in the Borana Zone and Guji Zone of south Ethiopia. Seven Baptist churches affiliated with the Addis Kidan church will serve as the base of operations. This water development work will be integrated into on-going plans for the local church to bring long-term transformational development.
We will also support strategic but limited medical/feeding work that will focus on at-risk women and children in the refugee camps in Dolo Ado region of Ethiopia and also help to distribute food items at the giant Dadaab camp in Kenya. This effort will be in partnership with Conscience International (CI), the MCM Hospital in Addis Ababa and local Ethiopian medical staff who will implement the project within the parameters and regulations of Ethiopian law. We will also work in cooperation with international agencies and non-governmental organizations tasked with refugee aid.
How You Can Be Involved
First, you can pray. Ask God to have mercy and give help to the displaced and suffering of East Africa. Ask God to guide those involved in relief/response to this famine. Ask God for wisdom as CBF discerns the best way to invest the resources entrusted to us.
Second, you can give. Designate your special offerings to “CBF East Africa Response” and it will be used for this effort. Please know that 5 percent of your designated offering will be used to help administrate this aid. The rest of your gift will go directly to famine relief.
Third, stay informed. Our website will have periodic updates on the progress of relief and development efforts as will the CBF East Africa Famine response network page. There are other sources of information about what is happening in the region and what is being done to provide help. Let your conscience be stirred and your consciousness be raised by keeping yourself informed.
Finally, participate in a network of people, churches and partners who are responding to this crisis. By clicking on "Like" on the network page, you will be able to connect and stay in touch with what others are doing and to make a difference among the most neglected.
A Final Word
A crisis like this one can sometimes overwhelm us as we consider the complex political, spiritual, environmental and economic issues that have created it. Our approach as the people and churches of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has always been to focus our efforts on long-term transformation of the particular communities to which God beckons us and to work through field personnel and partners who have on-the-ground knowledge of how best to address the challenges. To this end, I invite your participation in this united effort by CBF churches, people and partners to be the presence of Christ among the most neglected peoples of East Africa.
Hurricane Relief on Hatteras Island -- September 2011
from Christopher Ingram
Hurricane Irene -- August 2011
Hurricane Irene Update - September 27, 2011
Ann and I are still on the OBX overseeing operation for NCBM in the tri-community area. There was little to no news coverage of the damage here and few have come to see first hand how much destruction is here. Teams have completed 35 work orders so far and we have 20 waiting as of this evening. Couple of things that break my heart: 1- some of these people are still trying to live in mold-infested homes which are making them sick. 2- these are local folks who grew up here, love the area and don't want to leave because it is home 3- They want you to help everybody else because they can get to their own home later, so in essence, their home has yet been touched 4- they are proud and hate to ask for help.
What we need is 40 to 50 volunteers for a full week and then with God's help we could complete the tear out jobs for the local residents.
This being said, we all need your prayer whether you come or not. Teams have done all this tear out and in about 2 weeks the vacation home owners will start arriving back to check out their property and find many that need tear outs and repairs. As is human nature, the few contractors here will first work for the wealthy who will pay more to get their job done first. Then when the work slows down they will lower their rates and maybe the locals can then afford to get their homes rebuilt. So PLEASE pray for the tri-community area of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo as they struggle to regain their life style. If your heart leads you to come help, I pray it will be soon.
If you know anybody who might be able to help this week, PLEASE have them contact Ann or myself.
Ann - 252-885-2127
Billy Layton, North Carolina Baptist Men
also from The Baptist Men on September 27, 2011:
Tear Out, Mud Out, and Tarp Teams Needed!
The Baptist Men are in need of Tear Out, Mud Out, and Tarp Teams in Pamlico County, NC, at Baysboro Baptist Church. All Baptist men need to register through the Cary office by calling Tom Beam at (800) 395-5102 X5626 or
online. There is currently no need for chainsaw crews, just the teams listed above.
Hurricane Irene Update- September 9, 2011
We wanted to give you an update on NC Disaster Relief efforts following Hurricane Irene. We have been serving in many different locations across eastern NC. Here are some totals as of today:
Total meals prepared: 163,746
Total showers: 3328
Total laundry loads: 720
Total work requests completed to date: 806
Number of jobs remaining: 603
We have also had many volunteers doing Medical Reserve Corp, Childcare, Administration, Chaplaincy and other things to help minister after Hurricane Irene. In addition to our NC volunteers we invited other sister state conventions in to help us. So far there have been volunteers from Florida, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, West Virginia, Oklahoma and other states.
We still need lots of volunteers to help people affected by Irene. Right now we are focusing efforts on Greenville, New Bern, Kinston, and Belhaven. We are doing some things in other places including Hatteras, but we hope to open more opportunities in Pamlico County and in Hatteras in the next few days.
Pray for the volunteers that respond! Pray for people affected by Hurricane Irene. Pray that God will use our efforts to Glorify Him. For more information and to sign up to help, go to
http://baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Irene
Update - September 2, 2011
North Carolina Baptist Men are still in need of chainsaw and mudout/tearout teams to help those affected by Hurricane Irene. Those who want to help can register at
this website.
NC Baptist Disaster Relief Efforts are Underway
NC Baptist Men and women disaster volunteers are currently working all over eastern NC following Hurricane Irene. Local churches and associations (especially those with disaster recovery units) are already doing assessments and helping people with chainsaw work and debris removal. NCBM Disaster Relief coordinators are establishing large areas where we can set up feeding and recovery operations. The following sites have been selected so far for feeding and recovery operations: Manteo Baptist, Memorial Baptist in Williamston, FBC New Bern. The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville will also serve as a disaster recovery operation center. Volunteers will be based out of these sites (and others) to serve many areas across the affected area.
For more information or to sign up go to this website.
Storm Response from NC Baptist Men and Women
We wanted to give you an update on NC Disaster Relief efforts in preparing for Hurricane Irene. Right now we have all of our volunteers and equipment on alert. We have staged all units and are making appropriate plans to respond. Feeding, Recovery, Communications, Showers, Laundry, Chaplaincy and others are ready to respond. A number of churches have been identified as potential disaster response sites and we are in regular contact with Emergency Management, Red Cross and other organizations for response.
We expect this to be a major disaster. Pray for the storm to move back east, and reduce intensity. Pray for the folks in harms' way. Pray for the volunteers that respond! More info. at http://baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Irene
After the Hurricane moves through we will know more about the areas of greatest need and the type of needs. We will keep you informed as plans progress. God has blessed us with excellent equipment and volunteers. Our prayer is that God will use our efforts to Glorify Him.
Please remember the NC Missions Offering at your church. September is the NCMO emphasis and there are excellent resources to tell the NCMO story at your church. All the ministries of NCBM are supported through the NC Missions Offering. For more information on the NCMO go to www.ncmissionsoffering.org
Hurricane Irene Update
CBFNC continues to remember in prayer the people and churches of our fellowship who have been impacted by Hurricane Irene. On Sunday, we tried to contact pastors of coastal churches to assess damages and needs, but we understand that areas further inland have been affected as well. A number of churches were unable to hold services on Sunday,
primarily due to power outages.
Please communicate any needs or hurricane-related ministry opportunities that may exist in your community and we will do our best to share them with the CBFNC family. We continue to value our partnership with NC Baptist Men and encourage partner churches to participate in relief and recovery efforts through them.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).
Grace and peace,
Coordinators and Staff of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
Responding to Hurricane Irene
Our hearts and prayers are with all of the churches and individuals who are located along the coast. We will be contacting those coastline churches after Hurricane Irene passes to see how we can help. We are not first responders, but we will be working mainly under NC Baptist Men on clean up and rebuilding initiatives.
Grace and peace,
Coordinators and Staff of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
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6/28/2011
From Charles Ray, CBF's US Disaster Response Coordinator:
With the General Assembly behind us, it’s time to look to our long-term work in AL and MO. We are now identifying churches and houses that can be repaired (not rebuilt) and get them back on line. Beginning in a few weeks, we will need teams to hang and finish sheetrock and paint. Please let your churches know of these needs and begin lining up teams to help. We are well established in both states to handle your responders. You may contact Terri Byrd in AL, (205) 835-8117 cell, or Jeff Langford in MO, (816) 588-6830 cell. We are prepared to book your responders through 2011.
Joplin, Missouri
CBF personnel are on the ground in Joplin, assessing partnership and volunteer opportunities for church teams and individuals. Reid Doster, a good friend from Louisiana and a veteran of the Katrina disaster, is working as the disaster response coordinator in Joplin. He arrived in Joplin this morning after being stranded on the Interstate overnight by downed power lines.
In addition, a team from Columbia - Todd & Carolyn Pridemore, Don Smith, James Parham from Memorial Baptist and Jocelyn Wolfe from the Christian Church - drove to Joplin yesterday. They are working with College Heights Christian Church to assist residents with cleanup and supply distribution.Please pray for this team and for this church near the campus of Missouri Southern University, where much of the response coordination is taking place.
GATHERING SUPPLIES
I've fielded a number of phone calls and emails from concerned churches with a desire to help right away. Many relief organizations throughout Missouri are gathering basic supplies to be sent to Joplin in the coming days. At this moment, I would encourage churches to work with a trusted local agency for gathering and distributing basic necessities like water, diapers, hygiene items, etc.
WORK TEAMS
Chainsaw and clean-up teams from CBF groups around the country are ready to come serve in Joplin, and Missouri church teams are mobilizing as well. One of Reid Doster's first actions will be to find adequate housing for those teams. Please pray for Reid as he communicates with response organizers in Joplin.
GIVING MONEY
Of course, one of the most urgent needs in these times of crisis is money. If you would like to donate to CBF's disaster response efforts in Joplin, you can give in several ways:
By Check:
Send a check to CBF of Missouri (5 E. Kansas Street, Ste 200, Liberty MO 64068) with "Joplin Tornado" in the memo line. Those funds will be used for relief and response efforts in Joplin.
Online:
You can give online to CBF Disaster Response. Click here.
FRIENDS IN THE AREA
Yesterday I reached out to Kevin Burns and Christina Holliday, CBF friends who were involved in a new church start in the Joplin area a couple of years ago. Both Kevin's and Christina's immediate families are safe and healthy. But they have friends who have lost loved ones.
Robert Francis, helper/consultant with Mid American Indian Fellowships, has several friends in the Joplin area through his work with MAIF. All are reported to be safe, but they, too, are mourning deaths and property loss with extended family and friends. Robert reports that one member of the Indian Fellowships, Jason Mellinger, has been serving with a helicopter search and rescue crew in the last day. Please keep Jason in your prayers.
FOR THE LONG HAUL
I'm so glad that our Fellowship community is ready and willing to serve and give in these moments of crisis. In times like these, we seek to be the presence of Christ to people who are hurting and in need. I'm also glad that CBF has earned a reputation for being in it for the long haul when it comes to disaster response. When the immediate crisis is over and most people have moved on with their lives, I'm confident CBF will continue to serve and give and be the presence of Christ in Joplin.
In Christ,
Jeff Langford
CBF of Missouri
Pray for:
Those who are hurting.
The leadership of CBF Missouri.
The safety of all involved.
The leadership of the Holy Spirit in our decision-making.
That the Lord will send workers who desire to serve as the presence of Christ to our neighbors in Joplin, Missouri.
Reid Doster as he coordinates efforts in Joplin.
The team from Columbia serving in Joplin today.
Jason Mellinger, working with a helicopter search and rescue team.
5/26/2011 Update:
CBF's Reid Doster called yesterday afternoon with an answer to prayer. Working with local officials and in a very short timeframe, he was able to find a host church for volunteer teams. As early as Friday, cleanup teams from Texas, Arkansas and other states will begin arriving. Teams from Missouri and Kansas will begin serving tomorrow.
Does your church have a team of volunteers who are ready to serve in Joplin? Please contact Jeff Langford so that our service efforts and housing availability can be coordinated effectively.
NC Tornado Disaster
From NC Baptist Men:
Disaster Relief Efforts are still needed following the April 16, NC Tornadoes - Volunteers are still needed to do clean-up, chainsaw work, debris removal and repairs following the April 16, 2011 deadly tornadoes that hit North Carolina. So far, almost 9,000 volunteer days have been provided and over 1100 jobs have been completed at numerous locations across NC, but there are still many needs. The greatest current needs are in Raleigh and in Fayetteville. There are approximately 150 jobs that are still needing to be done. We anticipate working on these jobs and then doing rebuilding for many months to come. If you can help please go to our website and sign up.
Go to http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/North-Carolina/Tornado to help. Thank you.
From CBFNC:
Many North Carolina communities were affected by the tornadoes that struck our nation Palm Sunday weekend. CBFNC leaders have been working to communicate with pastors and church leaders in the affected counties to discover needs and offer prayer. If your church (or the homes or businesses of members) suffered damage from the tornadoes, please contact our office so that we pray for the needs and discern ways to offer help.
CBFNC is not a first responder when disaster strikes. We are blessed to have a strong partnership with North Carolina Baptist Men, which is in the midst of doing damage assessment. We encourage our Fellowship to volunteer and give financially through NCBM. For the latest information including volunteer opportunities, visit their website.
As this tragedy unfolds and needs are uncovered, CBFNC will discern opportunities to mobilize congregations in long-term rebuilding efforts in partnership with Baptist Men or through regional mission initiatives with the most neglected in our state.
CBFNC has a disaster tool trailer that can be made available for your church's use. Call the CBFNC office at (336) 759-3456 for information on how to utilize the trailer.
Pray for those who are grieving.
Many are recuperating and there have been deaths.
Pray for those who have lost their home.
Pray for their patience as well as their comfort.
Pray for the relief workers and the churches and all who are trying to help.
Pray for their safety, stamina and perseverance.
Pray that all of us stay attuned to the heart of God and how we are called to help!
A Simple Way for CBF Folk to Donate to Disaster Response Efforts in Japan
One of our very closest partners, Volunteers of America Southeast (VOASE), offered to support exclusively the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and Japanese Baptist Convention (JPC) disaster response efforts in Japan.
VOASE graciously has set up a system whereby a one-time donation of $10 can be made to the CBF/JBC collaboration, by SMS texting 27722 and entering VOA.
One hundred percent of all monies received by Volunteers of America Southeast for the Japanese earthquake / tsunami relief will be channeled to CBF/JBC to be used by local churches in Japan to provide food, water, medical, and other humanitarian supplies directly to survivors with the greatest need and fewest resources.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Japanese Baptist Convention will distribute the supplies through established affiliated churches. All funds donated through this system will be distributed by volunteers to any people in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.
To repeat, a one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your pre-paid balance. Additional text charges may apply.
You will also receive up to four messages per month from VOA Alerts. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. To unsubscribe to the Alerts, key in 27722 and text STOP.
For help, key in 27722 and text HELP.
- If you prefer to donate using your credit card online, visit the CBF website.
- To make a contribution by phone, call us toll free at 1-800-352-8741.
- To make a contribution by mail, send your check payable to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, GA., 30392. To designate your gift, indicate the account in the memo line.
Charles Ray
US Disaster Response Coordinator
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-223-8586 office
501-680-2722 cell
cray@cbfar.org
www.thefellowship.info
Alabama Needs
As we continue to organize our help in Alabama, I like the image that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Our goal as ALCBF is to select a few places that we can commit to help for at least a year. We hope to have those sites selected by mid-week, but this is a day by day process for us, so stay tuned.
The first step of helping is to provide supplies for basic daily needs. Any supplies that you or your church would like to provide can be stored at Shades Crest Baptist Church (452 Park Ave, Hoover, 35226) or the offices of Passport (3421 Sierra Drive, Birmingham, 35216). See the list below.
Woodland Forest, one of our ALCBF churches in Tuscaloosa, needs help with supplies for neighbors IMMEDIATELY. Who will answer that call? Their needs are listed below and you may deliver them directly to the church (6701 Hargrove Rd East, Tuscaloosa, 35405).
We would like to organize churches and individuals who would volunteer for transporting these supplies regularly. We see creating a rotational system for this as long as the need lasts. Our hope would be that we will get several churches with folks willing to volunteer a week at a time. We will transport supplies to Tuscaloosa, West Birmingham, and Williams. If you or your church would be willing to work out transporting goods to these sites, contact Terri or me (Ronnie - ronnie@alabamacbf.org, 256-509-8342; Terri - terri@alabamacbf.org, 205.835.8117).
We are working on assistance in North Alabama. That is a bit slow because of the power outages in Huntsville, though we know that our CBF churches in Huntsville are all in their community on the ground with help in various ways.
As your church helps in any way, why not send Natalie a few pictures (natalie@alabamacbf.org) ? I think it would be encouraging to see all the ways we can join together to make a difference. We will post them on the ALCBF website.
If your church would be willing to host groups that would like to work in the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa area to help, please let us know (see contact info below). Shades Crest has volunteered to house groups who come to our area, and we appreciate that so much.
Our partner in this relief work, Volunteers of America, needs some long term strategic help with organization. This would be for someone who might have skills with people and organization and could be at one of our sites weekly. If that sounds like something you might be interested in, contact me (ronnie@alabamacbf.org or 256-509-8342), and I can put you in touch.
We are working hard to craft those places where some of you can get directly to work helping on the ground. Be patient with us as we do our best to put a planned, healthy approach together.
We are glad for you to send donations through your church or directly to us (2539 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 101, PMB 113, Birmingham, AL, 35244) for disaster relief. It is certainly fine to send them to National CBF as well. There are many other ways to donate, but we certainly will make sure all of the moneys reach those in need.
You can stay informed directly to a few of our churches: Calvary Baptist in Tuscaloosa and FBC Williams. As we learn of more direct links, we'll send them your way.
We are hearing from people from all over our state and nation. It is moving and encouraging. It is good to know there is a whole wide world of communities organizing to help, and it gives me hope to know that we are just one such community. The power of our community is in Christ, and it is truly helpful to remember that today.
Tuscaloosa primarily needs:
diapers (all sizes)
individual packets of wipes
baby food and formula (canned)
personal hygiene supplies (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, tooth paste, combs, brushes, etc)
feminine products
non-perishable, packaged food - ready to eat
Peanut butter and jelly and bread
bottled water - bottles and gallons
soap
towels
individual hand sanitizer packets & "regular-size" hand sanitizer in pump or squirt bottles
mens, women, children's underwear in all sizes
shoes like crocs and tennis shoes
boxes to pack food in for delivery to families
band aids, anti-septic spray, and other simple first aid items
bug repellent
Williams primarily needs:
trash bags
clorox spray
batteries of all sizes
paper towels
baby wipes
baby and adult diapers
water - bottled and gallon jugs
work gloves
easy snack food - non-perishable and packaged
personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc)
instant formula
toilet paper
emergency candles
first aid items
hand sanitizer
tupperware bins large enough to hold belongings as they are found
sharpies
over the counter basic medicines for adults (tylenol, advil, etc)
gas for generators
oil and gas mixture for chain saws
Birmingham Needs:
We also have a partnership with M-Power Ministries who were already serving many of the people in the Pratt City and Pleasant Grove areas before the tornadoes hit. They have been collecting supplies and have a drop off location. Learn more at their enews and subscribe to stay informed.
For more information, contact Ronnie Brewer at (256) 509-8342