The blink of an eye or so it seems, is all the time it takes for our life... our world as we know it to be turned completely upside down.
Sometimes this happens by our own doing, other times not. Either way it can hurt so much we feel as though our entire being has been devoured and spit out. But through all of this....how we handle the pain...anguish...the disappointment....and who or what we look to for guidance to help get us through this dark....most painful period in our life, is what is going to get us through it or bury us deeper.

The disaster survivors that I've worked with over the past 18 years have experienced many of these same feelings and emotions. Many have lost family members....others have lost "everything" they owned.
Just imagine for a second.... Look all around you... see the pictures of the children....your daughters favorite doll.....the pictures of family members no longer with us....the family heirlooms...the things that can never be replaced...
Now close your eyes.... You may be in your retirement years now...but if not, imagine you are. You've lived a modest life, you've worked hard and paid your house off... you don't have much to go on but you feel pretty confident that you'll be ok through your remaining years... WHEN IT HAPPENS... in the blink of an eye the powerful storm has flooded your house as well as all your neighbors houses up to and in some cases higher than the roofs. You've been responsible, you have insurance.... but you couldn't get flood insurance... and why would you anyway? You are nowhere near a flood zone. You are in your 60's...70's...80's...90's... You thought you had planned for the remainder of your life and now its ALL gone! You are in shock... many of you are past the years of picking up and starting over... What do you do?....Who do you turn to in this time of devastation?
GOD is the one constant... the rock... the never changing force we need to look to... HE is the One that can and will get us through these times that seem as though they'll never end. It doesn't mean its going to be easy... but what will you....what will I.... learn from these challenges?
There are times we will never know the "why" of things while we're here on earth. Will we allow them to make us stronger or pull us down? Will we use what we've been through to help us understand what others are going through? Will we even be....dare I say it?? ..... Less judgemental? No matter how you think you would handle a situation... please take my word for it.... YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA.... until you experience it yourself.
When you encounter that rude salesperson... restaurant server... or whomever you might come in contact with (I'm talking to myself as well).... Remember... you have NO IDEA their situation or even how you would handle it if you were in their shoes.

The Disaster Response Team is comprised of wonderful volunteers who are willing to "be there" for these disaster survivors who may have just lost everything. To be there to listen... to assure... to hug.... to provide emotional, spiritual and physical support to those who have nowhere to turn. Home cooked meals are provided to the communities in the disaster areas.... volunteers come from all over the U.S. to help "clean up" as well as helping to rebuild lives and homes. Building material, new clothing and household supplies are provided for those without/under insured. If you haven't been a volunteer with The Disaster Response Team (DRT) please consider it. It will change your life forever. If you have volunteered... then you know what I mean and we are so thankful to you.

DRT is in desperate need of funding to continue. The economic times have been rough on everyone and we understand that.... it's also been rough on donations coming into DRT. Please consider making this mission a priority in your 2011 budget... Please ask your church congregations to make it a monthly priority as well.
We are always in need of volunteers in the disaster areas... whether you can come for a day...week... month... you are so needed.
We are especially in need of volunteers willing to be trained as coordinators and who can be at a disaster at least 3 weeks at a time.
Please consider and pray about these needs. YOU are needed!

Clovis, NM youth group at DRT Ohio Property Work Camp

Jessica Biller - Mid-County Church of Christ- Troy, Ohio

Working in the DRT Supply Barn

Hanging out and jamming after work--

This has been a busy week.. We have an awesome youth group from Clovis, N.M. staying and working at the DRT Ohio property this week. This group is such a blessing! They are part of the team that do the non-glorious "behind the scenes" work and we are SO thankful to them. If it weren't for the volunteers who work behind the scenes readying things for disasters.... the remainder of the DRTeam could not accomplish what is needed when working in disaster areas.

It has been raining more than we had hoped this week, however it didn't deter this group. They willingly went to work doing whatever was needed. Some of the "rain day" work included.... Sorting, inventorying and organizing donated supplies in the DRT Supply Barn..... sorting and organizing tools in the Tool Room of the barn..... When it hasn't been raining (including this afternoon! WooHoo!) They have been cleaning out the trenches that had been dug for the placement of drainage pipe in the fields as well as placing the pipe in the trenches..... We've had a horrible time with flooding here at the property but the drainage pipes will greatly reduce this! Today they are power spraying the barns and hopefully if the rain will hold off painting will take place on the exterior of the barns. Now that the supplies have been sorted and organized we are also able to load the supply trailer for the next disaster......

Speaking of which....
An upgraded hurricane forecast has been released today.
According to Joe Bastardi of AccuWeather... 2010 will be 1 of 5 most active hurricane seasons since record keeping began 160 years ago. He is predicting 18-21 named storms. He expects at least 8 of those named storms to make landfall in the U.S. including 6 hurricanes, 2-3 of those to be major hurricanes (catagory 3 or higher)

Lets take the time now to be preparing if you live in one of the coastal states... And all the rest of us begin preparing to help those who may come in harms way during this hurricane season.

Also remember wildfires are currently taking place in Arizona, tornadoes have hit MN. and Montana and DRT is in the process of completing our commitments in Haiti.
Please continue to pray for DRT as well as those affected by disasters.

We are so thankful to those of you that volunteer and help financially through DRT. Please continue so we can be ready for the next disaster.

Is It Just Me Or Do You Struggle Too?

Have you ever had so many things happen in your life at once that you wonder if GOD has forgotten His promise to never leave us? I imagine most of us have experienced this at one time or another. I won't go into details about my life recently but I've been experiencing this very feeling. It's not easy to admit it but I've doubted GOD about his ability to handle the situations in my life....I try to handle everything myself... I really don't know why, I'm absolutely no good at it. Why is it that I turn things over to GOD "after" all of my attempts at trying to fix things don't work? I have a theory... Sometimes.....Maybe ... Just maybe... I'm afraid He won't allow things to turn out the way "I" want them. I don't think this is the case with every instance.....many times I believe we just do it subconsciously... but I do believe it happens often... at least for me.

I recently read the following: When you get Jesus, you plug into the plan you were made for; you get Heavens direction for your decisions; you get inexhaustable, "unloseable" love; you get God's grace to help you weather every crisis; you have someone who's bigger than every challenge that's bigger than you are.

Let's help each other to remember that He is able to do exceedingly more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. Eph. 3:20

*************************************************************************
DRT is at work preparing for upcoming disasters as well as continuing to work on the Haiti disaster and now assessing the flooding in the Edmond/Oklahoma City areas.
We've had several volunteers working tirelessly here at the Ohio DRT Property. We are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Clovis, New Mexico youth group this Saturday! They also came to help us organize/clean trailers, etc. last year. We are so blessed to have them as part of the team. They are so willing to do whatever is needed.

Please keep those affected by the flooding in Oklahoma in your prayers as well as those ministering to them through disaster relief. 90% of those affected are without insurance. Funding is needed as well as volunteers. You can register on the website to volunteer.
We will provide more details as soon as the DRT assessors have met with the leaders in Edmond, Ok. this week.

Until then, Shine Jesus Shine

Haiti Experience as Described by John Davis

The work currently being done in Haiti has become a work extremely close to many of our hearts. I had the priviledge to work with 3 awesome team members from the Ft. Worth area while in Haiti a couple of weeks ago. I asked one of them (John Davis) to write about his experience. As you will read..... the Haitian People need us.....they need YOU..... If you haven't already.... please consider volunteering with DRT, donating financially and most of all praying for the effort in Haiti. -Laura

**********

As our team walked out of the airport in Port Au Prince, I knew right away this would be a life changing experience. Never had I seen a place of such destruction and poverty. As I stepped into the crowded street beyond the gates, I thought to myself; "what help could I possibly be to these people?" As the week of my experience unfolded, I discovered quickly that the Haitian people need so much (they survive without some of the most basic things), that they are not different from you or me and that they are a loving and proud people. My concern of not being useful vanished immediately. Throughout the week, I worked in medical clinics dispensing medicine and caring for adults and children. I worked at the new church site helping with the construction. I spent many hours with the beautiful children teaching songs, playing games and helping them in any way I could. I shared in worship services that forever changed my view of worship. Everyday was filled from sun up til sundown with work and activity. By the end of the week, I felt as if I had become a neighbor and friend to the people in the area we were working. Words truely cannot describe the experience I had in Haiti. However, maybe for the first time in my life, I discovered the true meaning of serving my Lord and loving and being loved by my brothers and sisters in Christ. John Davis

GREAT NEWS IN HAITI

One of our shipments has finally arrived!! PRAISE GOD!! The contents include much needed tents, generators, personal care buckets and medical supplies. The onsite DRT have distributed the supplies to a very grateful community in the Lilavois area of Port-au-Prince. We also provided tents and supplies to the church in Carrefour as well as Jean Robert St. Hilliare of the Delmas 43 Church of Christ.

2 Medical Clinics were held this past week with over 300 people being seen and treated.

There are so many orphaned children just running the streets and in hospitals awaiting a place to live.

Now that the tents have arrived the orphanage and the school can begin!!

If you would like to sponsor a child you can do so for only $40./month

We are also needing funding for the teachers of the school at $150/month.

Please help us save these children through the orphanage, school and medical clinics.

You can donate online through PayPal on the DRT website.... http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/

Or by postal mail to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, Florida 32904

I talked to Harry this morning. They took Shirley to the hospital last night. Shirley's tumor is malignant and the doctors are telling them there is nothing they can do except to try to make her comfortable. Please continue to pray for Shirley and Harry. Remember.....it is HIM that can do immeasurably more than than all we ask or imagine. Eph. 3:20

I'm currently at the Tulsa Soul-Winning Workshop with the DRT exhibit. GOD brings the most awesome people into my life. Whether you stopped by the booth to talk to me.... volunteered with me at a disaster.....allowed me to work for you in a disaster....called me....prayed for me.....or are a friend from long ago that came back into my life...... Please know that I am so blessed to know you and thank GOD for you!

As you know....DRT is currently working in Haiti. I've had many people stop by the booth to see if medical volunteers are the only volunteers we are accepting in Haiti.. NO.... we need YOU!! We do need medical personnel, especially doctors but we also need any and all volunteers.

We are working on finishing the security wall.... setting up the orphanage...setting up the school....running medical clinics....distributing supplies....teaching the Love of Christ..... YES... We need you! Please register to volunteer on the DRT website.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!!

I'm asking you to please keep our DRT Coordinator Shirley Mansfield in your prayers. She has been diagnosed with a tumor on her spine. They have done a biopsy but don't have the results back yet. Once they receive the results they will be doing surgery. She is in extreme pain. Please keep her husband Harry in your prayers as well as he cares for her.
We Love You Harry and Shirley!

Below are the dates for our volunteer trips to Haiti.
Volunteers of all skills are desperately needed. Please register on the website with the week you are able to attend. We are taking approx. 10 volunteers per week.


March 29 - April 5, 2010 (Medical - Contractors/laborers needed)

April 6-13, 2010 (Medical - Contractors/laborers needed)

April 14-21, 2010 (Medical - Contractors/laborers - VBS Teachers needed)

April 22-29, 2010 (Medical - Contractors/laborers -VBS Teachers -Child Care Workers needed)

April 23-30, 2010 (Medical - Contractors/laborers - Teachers - Child Care Workers needed)

May 1 - 8, 2010 (Contractors/laborers - Teachers - Child Care Workers - Cooks needed)

May 10-17, 2010 (Medical-Contractors/Laborers-Teachers-Child Care Workers-Cooks needed)

May 18-25, 2010 (Contractors/laborers-Teachers-Child Care Workers-Cooks needed)

May 26 - June 2, 2010 (Medical-Contractors/Laborers-Teachers-Child Care Workers-Cooks needed)

My Haitian Experience This Week

Church Service at Carrefour COC

John Davis (Ft. Worth volunteer) reading to the children during VBS/School

Charissa Richard with a sick child and 2 sisters.

I arrived back in the great United States last night...... it's good to be "home" but as John Davis put it...."it feels odd to be back. Like we are strangers in this land".

While in Haiti we connected with the people there. We felt for them....with them....and wanted to make everything better for them. Although in working to make things "better" we also need to remember that "our" better is not necessarily the Haitian Peoples idea of better. They have their own culture and it is not our place to come in and try to "Americanize" them.

Those of you who know me.... know that camping in a tent.....especially during rainy nights with the tent leaking....living without electricity except for the 1 or 2 hours per day of generator power....not using makeup or a flat iron.....riding in the bed of a truck on rough, dusty....dirt/gravel, pothole "roads" while trying to hang on and not to focus on the stench in the air.....eating "different" foods....and suffering through extremely hot, humid weather....showering every other day.... attempting to be patient because "Haiti time" is different from any other time I've ever experienced.....has never been my idea of living.

BUT..... for the Haitian people most of this is normal everyday life....much of it they lived through daily even before the earthquake. They adapt and overcome. I'm amazed at the ingenuity they have.....

NOW....since the earthquake they are in more need than ever. There are countless "tent cities" where thousands of people are living. But they're not "tent cities" because they have no tents! They use branches from trees stuck in the ground for corner posts and cover them with bed linens. THIS IS NOT KEEPING THE RAINS OFF OF THEM..... Their immediate needs are tents and medical help. From there we can begin the rebuilding but for now....we have to get them relocated out of the river beds and into tents rather than sheets. The rains have begun and will only continue to get worse. Their "tents" will flood.....and the diseases will continue to get worse.

Please help us help them...... We need volunteers of any kind as long as you can handle horrible, rough conditions. We need funding to continue to purchase food, tents, building material, medical supplies, tools, equipment......the list goes on and on.

If you're willing to volunteer, please go the the DRT website and register. If it is put upon your heart to donate.... you may do so through PayPal on the website or by postal mail to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, Florida 32904

Haiti

Let me preface todays blog post by saying that my mind and heart are so full that it is extremely difficult to put everything into words so I apologize in advance if my feelings and words are a bit scattered and out of order.

I arrived in Haiti last Friday with Sid and 3 awesome volunteers from Texas (John Davis, Charissa Richards and Brayden Bunting). The time I've spent here so far has me feeling every emotion I believe I can feel. The destruction is so far beyond what I had imagined..... the crumbled buildings.....the terrible stench....the grief....the danger of the areas we go to, although we are safe with Luc being with us. He is able to take us into the locations we wouldn't be able to go to ourselves because of the danger.
But there is hope... it will take time.... alot of time. But the Haitian people are amazing in that they are coping the best they can. They have a will that doesn't seem to stop and they have help.
Luc is amazing.... thanks to him so many are being and will continue to be helped. All of this is being done in the name of Jesus and it is tremendous!
The plans that Luc has is so encouraging.... We are in the process of setting up the orphanage, thanks to Healing Hands we now have the well drilled. The volunteers are working on the repairing the building that will house the clinic and soon we will be starting on the school.

We've been conducting medical clinics and have seen over 700 patients in 2 days. We've seen everything.... Typhoid, Malaria.. parasites....skin diseases.... broken bones that have healed without being set....all of this will continue to get worse once the rains set in. And lets not forget that most of these people are sleeping out in the open with no houses, no tents..... They need help and lots of it.

Mark and Duane Kemp (DRT Coordinator) will be here for 2 months working and organizing the efforts here.
If it is on your heart to help..... please see the website for volunteer opportunites as well as donating. www.churchesofchristdrt.org

THE CHILDREN OF PAP NEED YOU

THOUSANDS of homeless children orphaned by the Haiti earthquake are just wandering the streets of Port-au-Prince. I received word yesterday of an abandoned preemie baby that needed a place to go.... there are stories upon stories since the quake hit..... all ending the same..... nowhere for these children to go, no one to care for them. These children have been tugging at my heartstrings since the disaster hit..... and I believe they are tugging at yours as well.

What can we do?? We know that we can't help the thousands of children but we can help many. We will be working with Luc Bouquet in Lilavois (outskirts of PAP) to open an orphanage. We have plenty of room we just need funding to provide for the children. WILL YOU HELP?? Together if we each help just one child..... many of these children can have a loving home. I will see to it. Will you sponsor 1 child at $40./month?? THEY NEED YOU.....THEY NEED US.

Please send me an email to let me know of your pledge to these children so we can go ahead and get started. disasterrelief@hotmail.com

Your support for the children can be made through PayPal on our website: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org or sent to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, Fl. 32904

ANOTHER AFTERSHOCK

A 4.7 aftershock struck 20 miles from Port-au-Prince early this morning. This is the second 4.7 in 2 days. Please continue to keep the Haitian people and volunteers in your prayers during this extremely difficult time.

Another Haiti Earthquake

A 4.7 earthquake hit Haiti this morning approx. 20 w of Port-au-Prince.
I've been in touch with Luc. He said he felt it and it was very scary but he is fine. He hasn't heard of any damage yet but feels that more of the buildings with significant cracks were probably affected.
I will update more as the information becomes available.

HAITI NEEDS YOU

I'm in daily contact with our people in Port-au-Prince. Yesterday I received word from Luc. He said it had rained all night and he had been up since 1:00 am with the rains and calls from those that are living outside. The panic......the desperation..... the despair...... it's so unreal.

Haiti is out of the news now and to those of us away from the death and destruction.... it may seem like everything should be "back to normal" by now...... we forget..... we continue on with our daily lives. IT ISN'T "back to normal"...... and won't be for a very long time......for many years to come.

Let's not forget...... Lets do something about it. Together WE can make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people. Help is getting to them....slowly. Their hearts are open...... they are attending the worship services in the makeshift "church buildings"......they're allowing Christ into their lives and being baptized.....only GOD can take such a tragedy and turn it into a blessing.

The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team (DRT) has been sending in basic needs supplies, medical supplies, tents and volunteers. All of this is happening because either individually or through your church congregations you are becoming part of the "team". Whether its been through financial donations, medical/basic needs supplies, volunteering, etc. YOU are allowing GOD to work through your life helping those in such dire need. I beg you to PLEASE..... don't let it stop. We need you to continue helping..... please tell others about the desperate need of the Haitian people in and around the Port-au-Prince area. THEY NEED YOU......THEY NEED GOD.

YES..... we have a plan :-) Mark and 2 other DRT coordinators will be heading to PAP next week. They will be staying at least 2 months and helping Luc (our nurse practitioner on the ground) The following is the "immediate needs" plan that will be taking place:

1. Tent City established on Luc's property on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince for over 100 people who up until now have been sleeping outside. This will include showers... supplies.... 2 meals daily.

2. Sid Smith (DRT Food Coordinator) will be onsite to help in preparing the meals.

3. Bible Studies will be made available.

4. A school will be set up for the children.

5. A clinic will be set up


Right now you're asking yourself......"how can I help" aren't you????? I'm glad you asked :-)
Below is what is needed immediately to get things set up. Let me mention here that the "rainy" season begins in March so we don't have much time..... actually no time, as it has already begun to rain so this is URGENT.

1. PRAYERS-- 1st and foremost we ask you to be in constant prayer for those affected by this disaster.

2. DONATIONS-- It's very expensive getting equipment, supplies, food, etc. to Haiti as well as the providing the continual needs of the Haitian people.

** Let me also mention here that the Haitian people are a very hard working and proud people. They have lost family members.....their belongings....their jobs..... But they are willing to work to make things better they just need help......My help....Your help....

3. VOLUNTEERS-- We are in desperate need of doctors, nurses, contractors, teachers.... you name it.... YOU ARE NEEDED.


LET US NOT FORGET!!!!

Donations can be made online through PayPal on the DRT website http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/ or by postal to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904

Thanks to so many of you donating items.....these are some of the supplies being shipped to Haiti.

HAITI PHASE I

(Left) -Luc Bouquet -- Clinic in Port-au-Prince

It all sounds pretty good on the surface..... We are sending tents, basic needs supplies, food and medical supplies to Haiti. Thanks to so many of you through your monetary and supply donations DRT is able to help some of the Haitian people.......... While this is great and good things are happening.....like the 7 baptisms through Jean Robert at the Delmas 43 church this past Sunday!!...... SO MUCH MORE is still needed.

Over 1,000 members of the church in Port-au-Prince are still without any type of housing.....this doesn't even include the remaining 3 million people in Port-au-Prince.

The DRT's focus is currently on the immediate needs. Below is the beginning phase we are working on.

PHASE I

1. Clinics- DRT's Medical Coordinator (Luc Bouquet) is in charge of a clinic in Port-au-Prince.
We are also assessing and planning the opening of a possible clinic near the Sonlight Childrens Home.

CURRENT NEEDS FOR THE CLINICS--
Medical Supplies-- Any/All including pain medications, antibiotics, antibiotic creams, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, Malaria medications, bandages, etc.
Medical Personnel --
Ob-Gyn
Pediatricians
Internists
Nurses
Monetary Donations


2. Food
DRT will be purchasing 50# bags of rice, beans, oatmeal as well as pasta for distribution in Port-au-Prince.
CURRENT NEEDS FOR FOOD:
Monetary Donations

3. Housing and Basic Needs
DRT is accepting donations as well as purchasing 6-8 person tents. These are being sent into Port-au-Prince and distributed through the local churches.
DRT is sending family buckets and personal care packs. Many of you are making these up for us and we appreciate it so much!

CURRENT NEEDS FOR HOUSING AND BASIC NEEDS:
Monetary donations
6-8 Person Tents (New or gently used)
Family Buckets/Personal Care Packs (list of items on the DRT website)
http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/


THE HAITIAN PEOPLE NEED OUR HELP!! WE HAVE TO HELP THEM... These are tough times financially for everyone, I understand that. However things get accomplished by ALL of us giving a little.

Donations can be made through PayPal on the DRT website or by postal mail to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904

To donate items needed, please contact me for shipping instructions. 937-308-2259

HOW YOU CAN HELP HAITI

As most of you know by now, we have people doing assessments as well as finding locations for volunteers/command centers in Haiti and hope to have things in place very soon for those of you who want to volunteer.

I have been taking calls all day and night thanks to so many of you who want to help with the Haiti effort. The last 2 weeks have been spent making phone calls to international agencies, congregations here in the states and anywhere else I can think of to get help shipping supplies in to Haiti as well as flying volunteers in. This has definitely been a challenge and can become frustrating. Working out of the country is so different from disasters here in the states. When we're working in the states, we are on site and set up within 24-48 hours. So if you're used to volunteering with us and wondering why it's taking so long to get set up, please try to be patient. We hope to have things in place very soon. But we want it to be organized also like you've come to expect. Much more can be accomplished that way.

Mark is expected to return to the states sometime today. We will then get things in motion to really begin helping the Haitian people. Hopefully I can have pictures uploaded by tomorrow.

If you would like to volunteer (we will need many) please go to the DRT website to register. Don't worry about the arrival and departure dates that it asks for since we don't have schedules made out yet. I'm thinking we will most likely be taking in teams for 1 week at a time to begin with.
I will update with specifics as soon as I hear from Mark.
In the meantime......Please tell everyone you know about DRT's effort in Haiti. There is such a tremendous, overwhelming need there. We will need volunteers, supplies and funding.
WE NEED YOU!!

You can donate online through PayPal on the DRT website or by postal mail to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Fl. 32904

Haiti -- What must they be thinking right now?

Officials are now saying they have buried 40,000 and there could be another 100,000 dead in the Haiti earthquake.
What total devastation, we feel so for all of the survivors without knowing what they're going through. How could we, most of us have never been through something so horrific....so tragic....so heartwrenching......but we WILL be there for them. We'll pray for them...we'll give them food and supplies.....we'll help them rebuild......and through all this we'll show them the Love of Jesus.

Yes.....1 person CAN make a difference......together we are 1 body in Christ....and through HIM "all" things are possible.

Please see the DRT website for ways YOU can help.
http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/