Thank You Savannah River
This was a great year of moving forward with Disaster Reli
ef. We were blessed with only two national call-outs (floods in Kansas and Minnesota) and one International (Ica, Peru). Kansas was dealing with the hard work of mucking homes. Minnesota was a call-out for chaplains to help people cope with trauma and to witness to them. The International Disaster Relief in Ica, Peru, was due to an 8.0 earthquake. On all call-outs the Savannah River Baptist Association was present to provide great service for His Kingdom.
For the folks not called-out, please don't be discouraged. Disaster Relief is like being a fire fighter--preparing and equipping for a disaster, but hoping that nothing happens to cause trauma to anyone.
In 2008, many GREAT things will be happening:
1. The first Disaster Relief Trailer is scheduled to be on line for Mud-out/Chainsaw/Rebuild. This trailer has been adopted by Riverview Baptist Church.
2. The first Rapid Deployment State Assessment Trailer is being assembled in our association. Usually, on an assessment call-out, folks would get their personal gear and head out on the road. This Trailer will provide all the gear that is needed to get in an area to assess and items on board will help the team to be self-sufficient. If interested in contributing to this trailer please notify Jimmy Padgett at 247-6367 (cell).
3. Cross Point Church, led by Pastor Carl Martin, is putting together a COPE trailer. This will be the second such trailer in the state and possibly in NAMB. This trailer will have blow-up slides for children, a popcorn machine, a snow cone machine, and great Christian music. This is an evangelistic trailer. In a disaster it is used to de-stress parents and children. In our local association it will be used for church planting. AMEN! Going outside the Church is what it is about--WDJG (Where did Jesus GO?).
4. A full scale Disaster Relief Feeding for the Men's Ministries Meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2008, to be held at Okatee Baptist Church with guest speaker Dr. Jim Austin , the Executive Director of the State Convention. The topic will be Finish HIS Work (John 4:34).
5. A three day State-Wide Chaplain Training from NAMB in May 2008 is to be hosted by Okatee Baptist Church. Chaplains from around the state will attend and our SRBA Feeding Team would be called out.
I hope this is as encouraging to you as it is to me. Keep on training and preparing. Next DR training will be Myrtle Beach, SC, Feb 29 - March 01, 2008.
Happy HOLYdays and Merry CHRISTmas,
Chaplain Marc Cantrell
986-8216 (cell)
