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Although the winds have calmed and the water has receded, Hurricane Katrina’s mark will take years to erase. This storm has tested the nation’s ability to respond quickly and aggressively to catastrophic disasters, lifted the curtain of racism and classism in America and has caused U.S. disaster agencies to restructure their organizations. In the wake of chaos, confusion, lack of response, and mismanagement, communities of faith provided rapid and lifesaving assistance. Nazarenes, along with other faith-based groups, were ready and responding to the needs of victims immediately after Katrina hit; this ministry continued as Rita devastated the Gulf Coast four weeks later. Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) is working through local district and church volunteers to train, organize and respond effectively to the needs of their communities. To date, Nazarenes have been responsible for:
Over 200,000 meals served
Over 100,000 Crisis Care Kits distributed
Over 150 teams of workers (with thousands of volunteers)
Housing hundreds of evacuees in more than 22 Nazarene churches
Transforming several district campgrounds into short-term shelters
Housing hundreds of emergency rescue workers and American Red Cross staff/volunteers in local churches
Gutting and cleaning out hundreds of homes and churches
Removing tons of debris and cutting up hundreds of fallen trees
Thirty-six Nazarene churches sustained some form of damage from Katrina with another thirty-two from Rita. Even in the midst of their own losses, these Nazarenes are committed to serving others. Each of our five affected Districts have NDR coordinators facilitating and organizing groups, creating strategies to serve the affected area, continually assessing needs and networking with other churches and agencies. Each of our district leaders is doing phenomenal work despite very difficult circumstances.
Pearl River Church of the Nazarene has gained a notable reputation in southeastern Louisiana; they were the only church in the community open and serving others. Residents in the Slidell and Pearl River communities refer to the Nazarenes as “NeeDeR” people and treat them as celebrities for responding so quickly with love and selflessness. We can be proud of our church and its response in the wake of such trying events. Thank God for the Church of the Nazarene and its members who have given so freely of their time, energy and money to serve the victims of Katrina and Rita. We will continue to use your contributions to serve others and to rebuild ruined cities and lives. Continue to pray for the survivors and those who serve them.
If you have any questions about our response, please check our website at www.ncm.org/news_katrina.aspx or call 800.306.9950. If you would like to send a group to the affected area for continued clean-up and reconstruction, please call 866.485.4483.
by Dan Soliday
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