HAITI EARTHQUAKE
3/3/10 UPDATE Mark Cremeans (DRT Director) and Duane Kemp (DRT Coordinator) arrived safely in Port-au-Prince Monday. They are working on getting the tent city and orphanage/school set up as well as securing the church building to put in a clinic. We will begin scheduling volunteers within the week to help with the set up. 2/24/10 We are working with Luc Bouquet to open an orphanage in the Port-au-Prince area. Thousands of children are without homes. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE BLOG TO SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP. We are in desperate....immediate need of someone to fly about 200 tents, medical supplies, etc. into PAP for us. Since the two 4.7 aftershocks Monday and Tues. more buildings have collapsed and lives have been lost. It is URGENT that these supplies get there immediately. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. 2/19/10 UDATE The rains have begun in Port-au-Prince. Help is needed desperately.... Please click on the link to the blog to see what is needed and how you can help. 2/17/10 UPDATE A couple of our medical volunteers will be leaving next week to work with Luc in Haiti. Mark and Duane Kemp (Piqua, Ohio) will be leaving in approx. 1-1/2 weeks to spend 2 months in Haiti. They will be organizing and setting up the relief efforts in Port-au-Prince as well as setting up volunteer camps and distribution sites. Please keep all of these as well as the Haitian people in your prayers. 2/15/10 UPDATE We have a shipment going out to Haiti hopefully yet this week. It consists of medical supplies (from Rapha Intl.)as well as tents, family buckets, generators, etc. 2/11/10 UPDATE We have a shipment of medical supplies, tents and basic needs items that are being shipped this week and are in the process of shipping a "Bobcat" skid steer to Haiti. This will be a tremendous aid in the clean up efforts. They are currently doing everything by hand. We are in great need of medical personnel to work in our clinics. If you are able please register on this page or you may contact Laura at disasterrelief@hotmail.com Please see the blog for pictures and other updates.
2/09/10 UPDATE FROM LUC BOUQUET IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI
1/28/10 UPDATE We thank GOD for all of you! You are sending money, donating supplies, volunteering, making up the family buckets and personal care packs, making blankets.....the list goes on and on. We are so thrilled that we are all on the same "team" together (God's Team) Please continue with your help as well as passing the word on to others. This is a disaster recovery that will go on for a very long time. Mark is on his way to Haiti. He will arrive in the Dominican Republic tonight and then on to Haiti tomorrow. Mark is taking medical supplies (thanks to Rapha Intl.) and a generator to our nurse practitioner (Luc Bouquet) in PAP, masks and some baby food to the Sonlight Childrens Home in Santo, and masks, etc. to Jean Robert at the COC Delmas 43 Church. While in Haiti Mark will be assessing the area near the Delmas 43 church for a volunteer camp as well as checking on the needs there and helping to get their relief effort set up. He will also be checking sites for a clinic. Mark will be assessing the area near Luc for a volunteer camp and checking the needs there as well. Another thing Mark will be doing is helping to rebuild the security wall, etc. around the Sonlight Childrens Home Complex. Thanks to Don Nickens (elder at Melbourne COC) The Harris Corp. agreed to allow us to add to a shipment they have going to Haiti with some of our medical supplies, some of the family buckets that many of you helped to put together as well as tents and water purifiers sent to us from Healing Hands. These will arrive in Haiti tomorrow so Mark will be able to pick them up and get them distributed. We are still continuing to collect supplies in Melbourne to be shipped to Haiti. 1/26/10 UPDATE Mark will be flying to Haiti tomorrow with a couple others. He will be working with the Sonlight Children's Home as well as getting volunteer base camps set up in PAP. 1/21/10 UPDATE The following are updates for the areas we are currently working with. Other areas will be added as soon as we can. We are finalizing details on housing and transportation for volunteers and hope to have that in place by Friday, 1/22/10. Please continue to keep the earthquake survivors as well as those attending to them in your prayers. Port-au-Prince Clinic Update We currently have Luc Bouquet, a nurse practitioner from our Melbourne, FL congregation working a clinic in Port-au-Prince. Luc is in desperate need of skilled medical personnel as well as medical equipment and supplies. Sonlight Childrens Home Update A team from the Estes congregation as well as others left this morning for Santiago DR where they will then take a bus into Santos Haiti to help rebuild the surrounding walls that were damaged to the Sonlight Children's Home Compound. They are feeding approx. 150 people per day from this location. Containers will be shipped from the U.S. with supplies to distribute.I hope and pray this will find you all in good health and heart. I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and financial support. Your gracious generosity has made a world of difference. Right now at the make shift tent hospital we have 70 patients that sustained massive trauma such as crushed pelvis, femur, skull, and so forth. at the ambulatory care we have seen between 150 and 200 people a day with all kind of medical conditions and minor injuries. at the main hospital in Port-Au-Prince there are more than 3000 amputees and I keep on telling people the worst is yet to come. Right now we are able to provide the patient with one meal a day and that's all they have. please continue to pray for our safety and for God to open doors for me to stay in Haiti and continue to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of the haitian people. May God continue to bless you in your work for Him
Your brother in christ
Luc L. bouquet
Delmas 43 Eglise du Chris
We are working with the Northeast COC in Kingsport, TN to help this congregation as well as others in the surrounding areas. We will be helping with getting supplies in, distributing supplies and food and rebuilding the church buildings. We are also collecting 4-6 person tents for families to stay in rather than on the streets where they are now.
WHAT IS NEEDED: URGENT NEEDS
**Funds to purchase basic supplies, medical supplies, food, fuel for generators, building material, etc.
4-6 Person Pop-Up type Tents for volunteers as well as those without homes.
Basic Needs Items (ie. list further down this page)
Diapers (Infant and Adult)
Flashlights and batteries
Generators
First Aid Kits
Snack type Food - Granola bars, etc.
Peanut Butter
Blankets
Towels and washcloths
5 gal. Buckets
Bandages for lacerations and deep wounds
Gauze Pads
Tape
IV fluids
IV Antibiotics
Antibiotic Creme
Tylenol
Penicillian
Pain Medications
Skilled Medical Volunteers
**Other volunteers will be needed soon. Please keep monitoring this website for further details.
Following is a list of items needed that will be shipped to Haiti along with our other supplies.
Family Buckets—Use a large plastic bucket with a lid to pack items as these:
Soap
Hand towel or small towel or washcloth
Deodorant
Shampoo
Skin lotion
Sanitary pads
Vaseline
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Small comb or hairbrush
Disposable razor
Small pack of tissues or wipes
Antibiotic ointment and Band-aids
disposable cups and bowls/plasticware
Matches (Small Boxes)
Flashlight/batteries
Metal stirring spoon (plastic handles melt when used over a fire)
Metal spatula/ manual can opener
Plastic containers with lids (plastic coffee containers with lids, butter tubs, cool whip tubs, etc) to use to keep grains dry and bugs out of their food
Please continue to monitor the DRT website
You can donate by clicking on the PayPal link to the right or by sending your donations to:
The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904
If you will be attending Winterfest in Gatlinburg, TN or CYC in Gatlinburg, TN, we will be there with the DRT exhibit. Relief donations will be accepted at the DRT booth.
We will send out updates as they are available. In the meantime please keep those affected as well as those ministering to them in your prayers as well as helping financially.
Any amount will be very helpful and much appreciated! You can donate through PayPal or by postal mail to:
CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM
810 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA 32904
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9/09-- Flooding relief-- Atlanta, GA
3/9/09--HURRICANE IKE/2009 ICE STORM--UPDATES
2009 ICE STORMS
KENTUCKY
The coordinator and volunteers that were working in the Mayfield, KY area have now closed the DRT work in that area and are taking some needed and much deserved rest before the next disaster. We are so thankful to the awesome volunteers who spent many hours and accomplished much during the clean up phase in that area. We are thankful and appreciative of the area congregations in and surrounding the Mayfield area for their wonderful hospitality and willingness to reach out to their communities through disaster relief. Our next step will be picking up the generators from Marion, KY and the tool trailer and pick up truck from Mayfield.
ARKANSAS
The Ash Flat Church of Christ has completed their relief effort and is no longer in need of the DRT tool trailer and chain saws, etc. We appreciate the Ash Flat Church for their willingness to reach out through disaster relief providing much needed help as well as the wonderful influence they had on their community. STILL NEEDED: someone to pick up the DRT tool trailer from Ash Flat and either drop it at Crowleys Ridge College in Paragould, AR. or (preferrably) stop in Paragould, pick up DRT supplies previously left, then take trailer and supplies on to Mayfield, KY. **PLEASE LET US KNOW BY EMAIL OR BY CALLING MARK AT 937-308-0035 IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS.** UPDATE- Thanks to Crowleys Ridge College- They picked up the DRT trailer from Ash Flat and brought back to Paragould, AR. :-)
HURRICANE IKE
BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS
DRT closed the Relief Operations Site in Bridge City, Texas on March 31. DRT has been on site since September, 2008 immediately following Hurricane Ike. We've had the pleasure of working with the Bridge City Church of Christ and the 9th and Elm Church of Christ in Orange, TX. You have been an inspiration to all of us and we will miss you! We also witnessed such serving hearts and attitudes from so many congregations surrounding Bridge City as they unselfishly put many of their own work aside to come and help and become a vital part of DRT. We are also so thankful to over 3,000 volunteers who took time out of their schedules to come and serve the Orange County community through the many opportunities that were available as well as those that have donated financially, sent supplies and have prayed for the efforts here. You all have shown generous, serving attitudes and have been such a wonderful example showing the LOVE OF JESUS in this community.
BLESSINGS IN BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS THROUGH DRT
- Over 2200 Total Families Assisted With Supplies/House Repair.
- Over 100 Houses Gutted/Cleaned Out
- Over 90 Houses Provided with Rebuilding Assistance. Sheetrock, Insulation, Plywood, Labor, etc.
- Over 200 (other) Houses Assisted with Yard Work, etc.
- Over 48,000 Home Cooked Meals Served to Community and Volunteers.
- Over 3000 Volunteers housed, fed and work provided to.
- Many Bible Studies conducted by the local churches from DRT contacts-This work is ongoing. Over 2,000 contacts given to the local churches for follow up.
The local congregations will continue to help the community with volunteer labor, etc. If you are skilled in rebuilding and would like to volunteer, please contact Bert Black with the Bridge City Church of Christ or Barry Jones with the 9th and Elm Church of Christ in Orange.
Still Needed:
Semi driver w/tractor to bring DRT semi trailer from Bridge City to Ohio. UPDATE--5/4/09--semi trailer is now back at our Florida location :-)
2/9/09 ICE STORM UPDATE
With the help of many of you partnering with DRT either financially or through equipment donations the following has been accomplished so far through DRT efforts in response to the Ice Storms.
Marion, KY. Church of Christ -- (16) Generators delivered, DRT volunteers sent in.
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Hillcrest Church of Christ/Crowleys Ridge College, Paragould, AR.-- DRT Chain saw crews sent in, DRT cook sent in with food and equipment to cook for volunteers, etc., (5) generators delivered.
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Ash Flat Church of Christ, Ash Flat, AR.-- Trailer load of food and (7) chain saws delivered.
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Mayfield, KY. -- DRT chain saw crew sent in, tool trailer delivered with (1) generator, (14) chain saws, (4) Kerosene Heaters, tarps, wheel barrows, rakes, etc. and use of DRT pick up truck. ****This is the site for area congregations to pick up needed DRT tools and equipment. **Lone Oak COC, North Side COC, Pottsville COC, Benton COC, Glendale Rd. COC (Murray, KY), Lebanon COC (Sedalia, KY)as well as others in the surrounding areas.
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**All equipment delivered to disaster areas are on a "loaner" type basis. When there is no longer a need for the equipment in these areas, DRT will pick up the equipment and service it, making it ready and available for another disaster. The DRT leadership makes sure your funds are put to the best possible use.**
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Donations can be made through PayPal or by Postal Mail To:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904
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FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING DISASTERS THIS YEAR. DRT PURCHASES THE FOOD THAT IS SERVED TO ENTIRE COMMUNITIES IN THE DISASTER AREAS AS WELL AS BUILDING MATERIALS, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, TOOLS, DEBRIS REMOVAL, ETC. FOR THOSE WITHOUT/UNDER INSURED.
IF YOU FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO HELP IN THIS WAY, YOU MAY SEND FUNDS ELECTRONICALLY ONLINE OR BY POSTAL MAIL TO:
CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM C/O MELBOURNE CHURCH OF CHRIST 810 HOLLYWOOD BLVD. WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA 32904
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IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE OR WOULD LIKE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED PLEASE CALL 937-308-2259. PLEASE KEEP THESE FAMILIES IN YOUR PRAYERS!!
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Please keep checking the blog and web site for further information or feel free to give us a call. 937-308-2259 or 937-308-0035
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A REMINDER OF WHAT THE DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM OFFERS:
- Trained 1st Response Volunteer Coordinators brought in to help your congregation set up a relief effort working with distribution, clean up and rebuilding phases.
- 30' Commerical Mobile Kitchen Unit brought in to serve 3,000-4,000 meals/day to community and volunteers.
- 1st Response Semi Tool Trailer and several additional stocked tool trailers brought in loaded with generators, chain saws, shovels, hammers, wheelbarrows, basically any tool that will be needed by volunteers.
- RV's brought in to help house volunteers.
- Shower trailer for volunteer use.
- Database of thousands of volunteers who have signed up with DRT that are called in to work.
- DRT helps to purchase food and building material.
Our Vision
The task before us is to bring the Good News of the Gospel to disaster survivors. Our commitment is to strengthen the local church. Many people and organizations will come and go during the course of a disaster, but it is the local church that can be the enduring reminder that love and support was found and help was given. Therefore, we commit ourselves to work with the local congregations to effectively and efficiently serve disaster survivors in Christ's name so they will find truth and hope.
Who We Are And What We Do
The Disaster Response Team is immediately available to the local congregation(s) in the disaster stricken area. The purpose of the Disaster Response Team is to aid the local congregation in recruiting and receiving volunteers to assist with the emotional and spiritual needs of the disaster victims and to assist them in the clean-up and rebuilding stage. The Disaster Response Team will bring the following to the disaster site to aid the local congregation in reaching out to their community:
- Mobile Kitchen
- Mobile Shower Trailer
- Trained Coordinators
- Completely stocked tool trailers
- Health kits
- Clean-Up kits
- Baby kits
- School kits
Types of Disasters
The Disaster Response Team may be called upon to respond to a wide variety of disasters. Some have natural causes. Others are related to human activity. Natural Disasters include floods, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes. Human related disasters encompass such tragedies as fires, explosions and terrorist related activities.
How to Help
Please keep the Disaster Response Team in your prayers along with those affected by disasters. Skilled or unskilled, God can use you for this work. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering for future relief efforts, whether it be for a day, a week, or longer, you may call the Disaster Response Team at 937-308-2259.
Contact Information
The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team is overseen by the Melbourne Church of Christ Elders, Melbourne, FL.
Telephone
- 937-308-2259
Postal address
- 810 Hollywood Blvd, West Melbourne, FL 32904
Electronic mail
- General Information: info@churchesofchristdrt.org
- Webmaster: webmaster@churchesofchristdrt.org
Send mail to webmaster@churchesofchristdrt.org with questions or comments about this web site.