Written by: Deb Lightfoot in Disaster Response, Local Service on January 25, 2012

Written by Deb Lightfoot

I’ve spent quite a bit of time lately attending meetings of various Disaster Relief organizations, and have found them full of folks dedicated to making things better when your life is hit with a disaster. Meeting regularly with these groups gives us an opportunity to get to know them without the stress of a crisis situation. I’ve seen disaster first-hand: I spent ten days working in a camper (command post) and sleeping (ok, resting my eyes) on the floor of the grounds maintenance shed of a prison in Mississippi just after Katrina hit. My cohorts and I had the task of registering law enforcement personnel who had come to help and tracking the missions they were assigned. This ran the gamut from search and rescue to crowd control at food and water distribution at PODs (Points of Distribution) and tracking looters.

I learned a lot quickly- first of all to count my blessings as my first day there I saw a picture of a woman sitting with her dead infant waiting for help to arrive. It took two days. I was there when a team of cops from South Carolina showed up with Subways in hand for the remnants of the local PD and watched the Police Chief cry because his guys had not eaten in days. They had barricaded themselves in the town library and had to shoot their way out when the flood waters got high and pressed against the doors. In addition to personal family losses, the police station and most of the vehicles were washed away. I learned that when things go horribly wrong any number of people with any number of skills will travel long distances in a desire to help.

This can be a real blessing or add to the disaster. It’s a blessing when you know who is coming (how many and to do what) and a burden when people whose hearts were touched “just want to help” and arrive unannounced. Sometimes kind-hearted folks just send things- like huge piles of winter clothing sent to victims in Louisiana and Mississippi after the hurricane.

One of the things I like best about Northland is that they are committed to being the blessing, not adding to the disaster. The Disaster Response at Northland (DR@N) Ministry is working hard to construct teams, train them, and equip them for God’s use. Hundreds have volunteered to be a part of the teams. We are not faced with disaster often (thank You, God!) so to keep up skill levels we practice within our own community. You may have seen the Kitchen Team cooking breakfast for the SERVE Team or at a homeless outreach. These guys will be the first to be called when needed elsewhere. It is ironic to me that when a request for help goes out for an event, only a few of the hundreds who signed up ever even reply. While it is possible to be used only in the event of a disaster, these folks are missing a blessing. Serving the locals gives you an opportunity to work with others on the team before the crisis hits. We’re great people- honest. You will enjoy the work, make new friends and hone skills while serving the church or community. The next time a call for help goes out for a non-disaster-related event (even if there is no bad weather involved) volunteer your services- you won’t be sorry.

Want to join us now? Look for a team that interests you on the Northland website at www.northlandchurch.net/ministries/disaster_response