Is it truly possible to forgive someone who has hurt you so grievously that you can hardly function? Some of the IDPs (Internally Displaced People) in Nigeria have been hurt in ways that most of us can only imagine. To understand the healing process let me begin with a definition of trauma and move through some of the important steps necessary to accomplish this goal.
Brethren Disaster Ministries
Newsline for Aug. 26, 2015
1) Called to help rebuild, we became part of a new family
2) Brethren Disaster Ministries notes accomplishments of Hurricane Katrina response
3) Children’s Disaster Services changed the lives of children and families after Katrina
4) On the road to Damascus: When the scales fall from our eyes
5) Christian leaders urge Congress to vote for diplomatic agreement with Iran
6) Prayer is requested for those affected by wildfires in western states
7) Brethren volunteers in Nigeria renew wedding vows after 48 years of marriage
8) Brethren Disaster Ministries restructures, makes personnel changes
9) Brethren Volunteer Service unit begins work at project sites
10) Congregations invited to plan special prayers, events for Peace Day
11) Covenant Bible Studies shed light on 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
12) Brethren bits
Children’s Disaster Services Changed the Lives of Children and Families After Katrina
Hurricane Katrina changed the lives of children and families. They were profoundly affected throughout the evacuation process, as they moved into new states and communities or returned to rebuild, and as their families created a way forward over the past 10 years.
Brethren Disaster Ministries Notes Accomplishments of Hurricane Katrina Response
The largest and longest domestic response in Brethren Disaster Ministries history ended when the work at its sixth and final Hurricane Katrina recovery project, in St. Bernard Parish, La., was completed in June 2011. During the nearly 6-year response, Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers repaired or rebuilt homes for 531 families in 6 communities along the Gulf Coast, giving an estimated value of $6,776,416.80 in labor (2010 dollar value). Project consultants John and Mary Mueller oversaw this project for more than four years.
Brethren Volunteers in Nigeria Renew Wedding Vows After 48 Years of Marriage
Tom and Janet Crago, Church of the Brethren volunteers in Nigeria, celebrate their 48th year of marriage at the Annex Office of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), located in north central Nigeria where they assist the Brethren who relocated from the church’s headquarters at Kwarhi in Adamawa State. The event took place during the morning devotion of the EYN headquarters staff.
Called to Help Rebuild, We Became Part of a New Family
When we watched the news in 2005 that Hurricane Katrina had hit the Gulf Coast, we were pretty sure that Brethren Disaster Ministries would be available to help with the rebuilding. We had no idea that it would mean a major change for us, that it would bring us into an experience that we now consider to be one of the highlights of our lives.
Brethren Disaster Ministries Restructures, Makes Personnel Changes
Brethren Disaster Ministries is restructuring and reshaping its staff and support staff positions to better serve a growing rebuilding ministry and Children’s Disaster Services. Three new positions have been created and filled: office manager for Brethren Disaster Ministries, a salaried staff position; program assistant for Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding program, a support staff position; and program assistant for Children’s Disaster Services, a support staff position.
Brethren Disaster Ministries Begins New Partnership for ‘Disaster Recovery Support Initiative’
Brethren Disaster Ministries has begun a new partnership for a Disaster Recovery Support Initiative, joining in with disaster programs of other Christian denominations. The ministry has requested an allocation of $5,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to help fund this pilot program to more quickly and effectively support the formation of Long Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) in communities affected by disaster.
Children’s Disaster Services Offers Additional Training Workshops
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is offering three additional volunteer training workshops this fall and winter. CDS is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren and part of Brethren Disaster Ministries. For online registration and a list of previously announced trainings go to www.brethren.org/cds/training/dates.html .
Nigeria: A Land of Many Possibilities
Traveling back and forth between Nigeria and the United States is one of the great joys my wife and I share in our role as co-directors of the Nigeria Crisis Response. It has been truly amazing to witness the sacrificial giving of our denomination toward the recovery of the church in Nigeria, and assisting the thousands of people who have been displaced by the senseless violence perpetrated by the radical insurgent group, Boko Haram.