Hope Force International: Update

At Hope Force International, we believe that followers of Christ have a mandate to respond with compassion to those who are suffering from disaster or chronic need. Here in the USA for example, we’ve seen a rash of tornadoes, hurricanes and floods – bringing about unprecedented hardship to our citizens. While Hope Force was still busy helping our neighbors in Haiti after January’s earthquake, 500-year floods overcame the city of Nashville and its environs.

With our offices situated in one of the city's suburbs, it was a poignant reminder that "every disaster is local". Even here in our hometown we are not immune to the devastation and loss experienced by so many around the world. We are deeply proud to be a part of a hometown that truly models the “golden rule” as we saw neighbor helping neighbor…and an attitude that says “We will recover from this!” Click here to view a recent Salvation Army podcast about our work in Nashville.

One of our Reservists, Taylor Morris, never imagined he would see his hometown overcome with flood waters like we saw last month. His company, which provides services for cancer patients, gave him ample time to be part of the generous outpouring of assistance seen in central Tennessee. Eventually he began leading teams of volunteers, while his company bolstered the efforts by providing several employees per day to help with the response effort. “What we saw in flood victims is the same as what we see in our cancer victims,” he explains. “Someone who finds out they have cancer often feels so overwhelmed, they don’t know what to do next.”

We have been on hundreds of field projects during our years with international aid and found that whether the victims are in a third-world slum or a major American city, the experience is much the same. It is ironic that Hope Force was in the middle of one of our largest response efforts to date – in Haiti – at the same time as our city suffered its own disaster. Our efforts in Nashville have been bolstered by wonderful Reservists from across the country – California, Michigan, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Montana and Missouri. Last week we both had the opportunity to join a team working in local homes to help our community with the recovery efforts. Click here for the full story.

Haiti remains at the top of our priority list for aid this year and we are pleased to say that Hope Force has ordered the first 150 disaster relief tents for the village of Sous Savanne – the area identified for aid projects by Hope Force and our associates. Almost 90% of the buildings in the region were destroyed in January’s earthquake. We are still working toward raising funds for the total goal of 300 tents needed to see the entire village housed in a safe and dry environment. We are committed to providing durable shelter for the village’s 2,100 inhabitants while they begin to rebuild homes and lives. This compelling video describes our work in this hard-hit region.

We invite you to join with us as we reach a world in need, whether that be Nashville, Haiti or other project areas. You can make a donation by mail or via the web as well as pray for our efforts. Or join an upcoming Hope Force Reservist training seminar. The signature Hope Force Training Intensive seminar is coming to Fullerton, California June 24 - 26, sponsored by three great churches: E.V. Free Fullerton, Eastside Christian and Yorba Linda Friends Church. Beginning Thursday evening and running through Saturday afternoon, participants will be challenged by live speakers, video messages, group discussion and a study of the scriptures. All current Reservists are welcome to come along and audit the event.

Thank you for your support of our efforts to reach a world in need!