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Disaster Response Often Requires the Willingness to “Go” Before we “Know”
We are often asked how we determine specifically where and with whom to work in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. A candid response is that we don’t always have the answer to that question until we’re on the ground.
At times, we have contacts in the area and we begin the discovery process alongside pre-existing relationships. This affords the opportunity to assess the level of support that might be available to our teams. Is there a place for our first strike team to roll out our mats and sleep? Is there a kitchen? Showers?
Frequently, however, we are thrust into communities where we have zero contacts and are in search of a local partner to help guide our response efforts. This means we’re deploying our people, equipment and supplies with little or no information pertaining to accommodations, exact location and partners. We’re often reminded of Isaiah 30:21 that says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." In disaster response, you often hear His voice more clearly as you’re walking; which means you must get in motion without clarity. Invariably, as we commit our ways to the Lord, He graciously arranges “divine appointments” that lay a foundation for a strong and compassionate response.
The importance of preparing for various scenarios to ensure a more effective response in the immediate aftermath of disaster is vitally important. The training offered by HFI helps prepare Reservists for challenging and chaotic conditions. In addition, we are always endeavoring to strengthen our operational and logistical capacity to accommodate teams. Additions of a recently acquired travel trailer and a newly constructed shower/laundry trailer have also added strength to the requirements of our rapid deployment. Both of these gifts were made possible by the generous donations and hard work of HFI Reservists and staff.
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Haiti - Three years and 10 months later…
Hope Force International (HFI) responded within days of the tragic earthquake in Haiti where over 230,000 people lost their lives. Three years and 10 months later, homes are being rebuilt and families are recovering. The villages of Sous Savanne and Babay, where HFI has chosen to focus most of our attention, are on their way to pre-earthquake conditions. In fact, for those who’ve benefited from HFI’s House of Hope and child sponsorship program, living conditions are better than ever!
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18 people X 6 days = 762 health consultations + 347 optical beneficiaries & multiple lives impacted!
Three years ago, the Family Worship Center in Lansdale, PA, hosted HFI’s Disaster Responder Training Intensive. During the training, we shared the plight of Sous Savanne, Haiti – a rural community located in the epicenter of the tragic 2010 earthquake where 90% of the homes were destroyed.
We tried to warn them…telling them that if they decided to go once, they would lose their hearts and would want to return. Within months, a team from the church donated funds to build a house for a family who had lost everything in the earthquake. They then joined HFI to actually help build that home... inspiring hope as an expression of their love for God and people.
We told you so! The team from the Family Worship Center had such a meaningful experience that, not only did they recently come back to Sous Savanne, they came in force. A team of 18 men and women spent 6 days, providing 762 health consultations along with medications and vitamins, 347 optical consultations and distributed multiple pairs of glasses and sunglasses (desperately needed because of the intense tropical sun).
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The Dancing Grandpa Can See!
Often, when visiting Pastor Val’s church in Sous Savanne, the sight of a little old man in front of the church dancing away blesses us all. His lack of vision does not restrain his joy. His name is Monsieur (Mr.) Cineus – and we look forward to seeing him when are going about our “business” in the village.
Marianne Lako, program co-director for Haiti HFI recalls, “You can imagine our excitement to see Monsieur Cineus come to the medical clinic for consultation. When he came to the pharmacy, I gladly filled the prescription for him. While working on this, I felt a small tug in my heart to ask the Optical team if they could see him. Almost blind, he could not freely move from chair to chair without his plastic PVC stick to help him. Without hesitation, they agreed to see him, even though their patient list was full. Due to the overwhelming response to Hope Force’s first optical clinic in Haiti, Monsieur Cineus was the last optical patient of the day.
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Make plans now to work with Hope Force in Haiti during 2014!
The rebuilding phase of Hope Force International's disaster response is a main thrust of our activities in Haiti. However, there are varied and meaningful opportunities to serve. The earthquake has exacerbated the already staggering level of poverty, endemic within the country. The unmet need is daunting, and your help will make a lasting difference.
5 or more people, 7 or more days = life altering opportunity. As we look ahead to 2014, we would love to host more teams in “our little corner” of Haiti. We welcome teams to join in activities such as providing healthcare, construction (roofing/painting), teaching Bible and community health, offering various seminars/workshops, working with local orphanages, Vacation Bible School (VBS) and related programs, providing emotional and spiritual care, etc. We can “tailor” the program to fit the skills and passion of the team. Not only are teams welcome from a particular church or group, but we can also create a team from various individuals. Ideally, we need a minimum of five participants for what is usually a one-week stay.
For more information contact: info@hopeforce.org
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Atlantic City Update
It has been 12 months in the making. The Atlantic City Long Term Recovery Group (ACLTRG), established under the direction of Hope Force International (HFI) Program Director Craig Snow, has reached a milestone. By the end of November, the organization will be led and managed entirely by the local community and HFI’s role will be radically reduced. This outcome has been our stated goal from the beginning and we celebrate this achievement.
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High Praise for HFI’s Efforts in Atlantic City
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy barreled ashore in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Two days later, a Hope Force team began assessments of the damage, visiting homeowners and mapping out a strategy for serving the city.
During the initial response phase, Hope Force responders “mucked out” and gutted nearly 200 homes affected by floodwaters from Sandy. As city leadership observed our work, they put forth an invitation to Hope Force International: to establish the Atlantic City Long Term Recovery group.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of service to Atlantic City, the Recovery Center team has 15 full time employees (local residents) -- salaried by grants secured by Hope Force International. In the past months, Hope Force efforts have received high praise as one of the most effective long-term recovery efforts in the state, with commendations from FEMA, Atlantic City's mayor, and the governor's office. Work continues on 30 active construction projects with an abundance of volunteers.
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Hope Force partners with The Salvation Army in flood ravaged Colorado…
In mid-September, near-record rainfall caused unprecedented flooding in 24 Colorado counties. Water that cascaded out of the Rockies damaged nearly 2500 square miles, killed nine people, destroyed hundreds of miles of roads and totally cut off small mountain towns. Some reports are calling the event the “100-year flood.”
Hope Force International's national partner, The Salvation Army, requested help from Hope Force International, and several from our Reservist ranks responded to the great needs in Boulder and small towns north of Denver. For three weeks, Hope Force Reservists from 9 states assisted in relief efforts -- sorting donations in the warehouse, driving truckloads of supplies, preparing meals on mobile canteen units and providing emotional and spiritual care to flood survivors. When HFI Reservists head for deployments, they know that change is the norm…that the unexpected often happens, and expectations are best left at home!
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“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle
Hope Force disaster response training is designed with “the end in mind.” We have endeavored to identify what we believe to be the attributes, qualities, behaviors and attitudes that -- when coupled with skill, experience and passion -- result in the greatest impact on the servant and survivor alike. This training is designed to alert and equip the responder for what they can expect while serving in the aftermath of disaster…and for many, has proven to be a life-changing experience.
Please consider coming to one of our upcoming training events – and join our cadre of over 1,300 HFI disaster responders!
Orange County, CA: November 14-16, 2013
Nashville, TN: January 23-25, 2014
Poulsbo, WA: February 20-22, 2014
Cleveland, OH: March 27-29 (to be confirmed)
Click Here to Register Online
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Your support makes a world of difference!
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