SPECIAL UPDATE TO CBF E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS
Katrina Response Update from CBF Moderator Joy Yee
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am writing to share with you a personal update on CBF’s
involvement with disaster relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
I visited the
One of the most encouraging aspects of our constituency is
the level of compassion and willingness to go, serve and help that is
present. Churches are gathering needed items, raising money and sending
volunteers. Individuals are calling the
With the scope of the disaster and the large volume of
response from CBF individuals and churches, come good challenges – some of
which include the assessment of needs, coordination of teams, and securing and
handling of resources. The areas affected by the hurricane are devastated.
The current local situation in affected areas changes
daily. Because of issues like disease, mold, unstable building
structures, and more, several things become important for volunteer teams:
It is important for teams to be covered by insurance. It is
important that teams be composed of people whose skills and experience match
the work that needs to be done. It is important that teams be aware of
the lack of resources available to them (e.g. transportation, food, showers, housing) in the areas affected. It is important for
teams who are willing to go, be willing to go when and where we can do the most
good. Sometimes this means delaying a trip until an area is assessed and
places are available to house volunteers as they do their hard work. In
the effort to be diligent, wise stewards of our gifts and resources, we want to
be sure that relief efforts are enacted in a responsible, coordinated manner.
I am thankful that donations of money and gifts-in-kind are
also being offered in great volume. All are needed. But again,
there are logistics to handle. For example, dry wall that is donated
needs to be housed and transported to the proper locations. Other
supplies that are donated need to be stored, sorted, packaged, and transported.
I hope by now you have some understanding of the scope of
the work that is being handled by our CBF staff, and regional and state
coordinators. They are working faithfully and tirelessly for and
with us in these efforts. Their care, integrity and perseverance in the
face of such a huge, potentially draining task was evident in their words and
tone as I listened.
What is most needed is for churches and individuals to place
their sacrificial service, gifts and resources in times and places appropriate
to the needs as they become known. Everybody’s piece is needed and will
continue to be needed in the months to come. To ensure that CBF remains a
meaningful presence in this situation, we will need to be committed to the long
haul. We will need some teams willing to go now, and some teams willing
to go at later dates. We will need certain specific supplies now, and
certain specific supplies later. Because of the complex nature of this
ministry, and all the pieces that have to come together, there will be times
when an offer for immediate help would be better utilized at a later time to do
a greater good. The CBF center at
Believing that we can do far more together than we could do
separately, I am asking for your help in communicating this information to the
individuals and churches in your spheres. Most importantly, please keep
the people affected by Katrina in your prayers. Pray also for all of us
who make up CBF as we seek to be the presence of Christ together.
In Christ,
Joy Yee, CBF Moderator
URGENT NEED
Responders in
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
We have collected $182,000 so far, not including a $50,000
pledge from the Baptist General Convention of
Contributions can be made online at www.thefellowship.info/landing/giving.icm
or by mail at P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, GA 30392, with checks payable to CBF
and “Hurricane Relief Fund #17004” in the memo line.
ESSENTIAL LINK
Follow the latest news from the Fellowship’s response at www.thefellowship.info/Landing/relief.icm.
New stories, photographs and video clips are being uploaded daily. This Web
page is the clearinghouse for all Katrina Response information.