If you have read the email from Hope Force International, you have heard that I, John Van Tiem, have taken the position of Senior Chaplain -- replacing Chuck Duby who has stepped down after many years of service in HFI. Chuck has been my mentor since I first deployed with HFI in 2008, and I know he will be missed. As I take on this position, I know I will need to lean on God's guidance and the prayers of all those who serve as Emotional/Spiritual Care (ESC) workers. I appreciate your prayers at this time.

I know that many of you have served with HFI before -- either as an ESC worker or as a work crew member, or both. One of the first items I hope to do is update our records regarding ESC workers and chaplains. Our records indicate that you expressed interest in learning more about serving in the Emotional and Spiritual Care side of a deployment. However, we all know that life situations change, and deploying may not be realistic for you at this time; or, you may have found a different way to serve the Lord. With that in mind, I would greatly appreciate if you could let me know where you stand regarding future deployments.

In order to have everyone working from the same understanding of our role on deployment, I hope to send information on the role of ESC workers, guidelines and responsibilities on deployment, and the classes that are part of the training to be the most effective, compassionate caregivers that we can be.

1) Do you still desire to be an ESC worker in disasters? If not, is there some other way that you would like to serve, or would you rather have your name removed from our list of active possible responders?

2) What classes, deployment  experience, or other experiences have you had related to Emotional and Spiritual Care? In order for us to keep our records current going forward, please let me know when you take any classes in the future.

3) What is your availability for deploying in general?  I.E., are you flexible enough to respond soon after a disaster strikes? Are you more interested in deploying within a few weeks' notice due to work, family, or other reasons?

Thanks in advance for your responses, which will help us as an organization be even more ready to meet the needs of the survivors that we serve. It is, as Jack Minton has said, a ‘terrible privilege’ to come alongside those in need at such a difficult and overwhelming time in their life.

While we need to talk now about our experience and our training, let’s never lose sight of their need and their vulnerability as they open their hearts to us and allow us to help them see that there is a reason to have hope going forward. What a privilege to bring that hope, or more accurately, to walk alongside them and help them find that next step in their journey -- and ultimately point them to the One who is the source of all hope. “Now, May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 15:13)

And... as that hope overflows from us, may it splash onto everyone we come in contact with.

Blessings,

John Van Tiem
Senior Chaplain, Hope Force International