Wednesday, March 10, 2010
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (HCSB)
Paul’s admonition to Timothy reminds us that it is God who calls us to action, according to His purpose. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers answer that call every day. Sometimes His purpose sends them down the street and other times across the globe.
Oklahoma Tornado
The first major tornado of the season hit western Oklahoma. Sam Porter, Oklahoma Baptist disaster relief director, reported an F-3 tornado hit Hammond, a small town of approximately 1,000 residents. It destroyed five homes and a county barn with road equipment. It then traveled across mostly ranch land. An Oklahoma feeding unit set up and fed breakfast to the first responders and utility workers who worked through the night.
Haiti EarthquakeSouthern Baptists are working closely with the University of Miami Hospital operating at the Port-au-Prince airport. SBDR volunteers are helping move patients and families into tents, and chaplains are spending time visiting patients. Other volunteers are assessing houses and working to supply clean water. Heavy equipment is being used to remove the massive amounts of debris. The president of Haiti estimated that, “it will take 1,000 dump trucks working 1,000 days to clear the rubble from Port-au-Prince.” Southern Baptists must not relent in praying for Haiti, especially for Haitian pastors and church leaders as they represent the cause of Christ daily in the devastated region.
Oklahoma water specialists arrive in Haiti to help get pumps working and water flowing.
School resumes in tents as Haitians work to bring some pieces of "everyday" back to life.
Dennis Wilbanks (right) of Florida Baptist Convention, conults with a North Carolina doctor.
“Before you Go to Haiti: A Volunteers Guide" - This and other videos are available on the Florida Baptist website.
Southern Baptists can support the Haitian pastors through prayer. Visit www.namb.net/Pray4Haiti and participate in a virtual prayer walk around Port-au-Prince. Additional prayer walks will be added as new ministry sites are established.“Buckets of Hope”
Most states have received the labels to place on their buckets and buckets are being collected across the country. Estimates are that more than 100,000 buckets will be collected and sent to Haiti. All along the way, people are praying over these buckets. The full impact this project will have on the people of Haiti cannot be known. Children’s groups, Sunday School classes, RAs, GAs, families, and many other groups and individuals have gathered the supplies and packed their buckets. God is changing lives of the givers as well as those who receive. Thank you, Southern Baptists!
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GAs from First Baptist Church Union Park, Orlando, Fla., fill Buckets of Hope and pray for families in Haiti. |
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The youth of Ranger Baptist Church, Murphy, N.C., filled 32 buckets. |
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First Baptist Church Rio Rancho, New Mexico, filled 46 of the church family's 163 buckets. |
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Part of the 2,500 buckets from Oklahoma are loaded into trailers by Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers on Tuesday, March 9. |
See more photos and share yours on the SBDR Facebook page.
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Haiti Ministry Activity | |
| Volunteer Days | 2,522 |
| Professions of Faith | 485 |
| Gospel Presentations | 4,467 |
| Ministry Contacts | 20,662 |
| Patients Seen | 18,707 |
| Medicines Dispensed | 28,600 |
| Water Purified (gal.) | 1,784 |
| Rice Distributed (tons) |
24 (204,000 servings) |
Read more about the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief effort in Haiti.
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