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Greetings!
Virginia Baptists' Disaster
Relief ministries request your prayers and concern as the heart of
hurricane season has arrived, the tropics have become incredibly
active, and Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief units have been placed on
"alert" status in anticipation of possible needs that could
arise from several tropical weather systems.
Tropical Storm
Gustav
Tropical Storm Gustav is expected to regain strength, return to hurricane
status (potentially to major hurricane status) and enter the Gulf of
Mexico. Landfall somewhere between Texas and Florida is almost
certain, with the center of the projection swath in the general area of
New Orleans.
It is possible that Gustav's path through the Gulf will be comparable
to that of Hurricane Katrina, which, ironically, made landfall three
years ago today (August 29, 2005). Obviously, the anxiety of the
present threat is compounded by memories of suffering and loss inflicted
by Katrina.
Another matter of concern is this: Six of Virginia Baptists' Venturer missionaries could
be affected by Gustav. Dennis and Nancy Bell-Strole serve at
Nutshell Camp and Conference Center on the northern coast of
Jamaica. Rick and Melissa Kesterson and Bruce and Erin LePoint
serve in lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
Tropical Storm
Hanna
Also, Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic. Hanna is
currently located far at sea with no imminent threat of landfall.
However, long range projections show the storm could potentially affect
the East Coast of the US - possibly the coast of the Carolinas or
Virginia.
Virginia Baptist
Disaster Relief on "Alert"
"Alert" status means that a potential threat is seen that
could realistically result in activation in the coming days; therefore,
field leaders, those who maintain response unit equipment, and
credentialed Disaster Relief workers have been asked to make necessary
preparations for mobilization to enable quick response should the needs
become actual. VBMB Disaster Relief units will respond following
Gustav, if assistance is needed and requested by the Disaster Relief
Coordinator of the affected state(s) Baptist convention(s).
Factors that could influence requests for VBMB Disaster Relief
assistance include the size and strength of the storm, the population
of the affected area, the level of response assets available to the
affected state(s), and the geographic distance from Virginia to the
area affected. Should Hanna affect Virginia, our own Disaster
Relief leadership will be in command and will request assistance from
other states as needed.
We invite your prayers for God's provision, protection, and peace for
all who may find themselves in harm's way, for all who form plans and
make decisions related to maintaining and or restoring the public's
good, for all first responders who endanger themselves to make others
safe, and for all disaster relief responders who serve to meet the
basic needs of victims until the community's essential infrastructure
can be restored.
For More
Information
For the latest updates on Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief
ministries, visit the Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief
website. Information regarding Gustav and Hanna may be monitored
on the National Hurricane Center or
Weather Channel websites.
To Contribute to
Disaster Relief
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is accepting monetary donations for
disaster relief. Donate online with our
secure shopping cart. |
