Christian Ministry Doing Hurricane Relief Digs In For Long Haul
by Allie Martin
September 13, 2004
(AgapePress) - Workers with the Samaritan's Purse ministry are having to reassess their relief efforts for Florida residents in the wake of Hurricane Frances. Two disaster relief units from Samaritan's Purse had already been working in southwestern Florida for the past three weeks when Frances made landfall. Now one of two tractor-trailers loaded with emergency supplies and tools will be moved to the East Coast to equip relief worker crews there.
Luther Harrison is coordinating Samaritan's Purse relief efforts in Florida. He notes that the Christian organization works closely with local churches to minister to those whose lives have been adversely affected by the storms.
"That's our main focus right now," Harrison says, adding that the coordinated effort is designed to meet not only the material needs of disaster victims, but also to address their emotional and spiritual needs. He adds that, even as the work crews make use of "men and women that have constructions skills and can climb a ladder, put a sheet of plastic on a roof with safety in mind," other volunteers are needed to focus on comforting people whose lives have been devastated by the loss of homes or loved ones, or damage to their livelihood, property, and sense of security.
The church volunteers are an essential part of the disaster response, the Samaritan's Purse spokesman explains. "These folks just come and share Christ's love with the homeowner," he says. "The best thing we tell them as we go out and minister to the family is that it's not as important to cover the house with plastic as it is to sit and share with the homeowners and listen to them."
And Harrison says the local churches will have many opportunities for follow-up ministry and outreach across the coming weeks and months. "All these families we've worked with, churches can take these names, check on them in a couple weeks and see how they're doing, reassure them and help them keep a positive attitude through the long process ahead.
The relief coordinator says many of the hurricane victims have a long and difficult road ahead of them, including dealing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the insurance companies, and sorting through all of the many trying issues involved in the process of recovery from a disaster.
"There's long lines, and it requires a little extra patience," Harrison says. He estimates that the Samaritan's Purse staff and volunteer workers will be spending several more months in Florida, sharing Christ with hurricane victims through word and deed.
