Hope Force International: One Person Can Make a Difference
Tornadoes… Hurricanes… Floods… Earthquakes… Fires…
Most of us have found ourselves watching the nightly news, moved by the heartbreaking calamities around the world… and wanting desperately to respond in some tangible way. The statistics by the World Health Organization and International Red Cross confirm what we already know: disasters are on a dramatic increase, especially over the past 20+ years. We often hear, “I would love to do something, but I don’t know what to do or how to get involved!”
At Hope Force International (HFI), our calling is simple: to equip willing responders and mobilize them onto pathways of service. Not all will be doctors and nurses, or even first responders such as firemen and paramedics, but everyone is needed. In our training, we emphasize “the ministry of presence”—walking sensitively and appropriately alongside those affected by crisis or disaster.
Experts tell us that every disaster is a local event, and depending upon the magnitude, a plea for outside assistance will take place when the local response is overwhelmed. It is often during times like this that our HFI Reservists will be called upon to serve. Early last year on February 6th, a series of unseasonable tornadoes struck five southern states, causing at least 52 deaths, 150 injuries, and considerable property damage. As in many other disasters acros the nation, Hope Force International quickly responded to one of the hardest hit counties in middle Tennessee, offering hundreds of volunteer hours of services, including spiritual and emotional care.
One can only imagine the range of emotions when responders and victims came to grips with a disaster of this magnitude. Betty Lynn Duley, one of our Hope Force Reservists, shared a bit of her meaningful experience:
“…No words can actually convey the destruction, the loss of life and property in this tight-knit, rural community where families have known each other for generations. One could see the shock and brokenness of loss…. An elderly gentleman drove up and stopped at our canteen. Upon our offer of hot coffee and comforting conversation, he started to sob. Everything was gone—his home and all he had built there over a life-time had been blown away and destroyed by the winds. No pictures, no evidence of a family history, no favorite coffee cup or gift—all gone. An empty lot was all that memorialized where his home had stood….”
Jack and Cherie Minton, founders of Hope Force International |
One Person Can Make A Difference
Tornadoes… Hurricanes… Floods… Earthquakes… Fires…
Most of us have found ourselves watching the nightly news, moved by the heartbreaking calamities around the world… and wanting desperately to respond in some tangible way. The statistics by the World Health Organization and International Red Cross confirm what we already know: disasters are on a dramatic increase, especially over the past 20+ years. We often hear, “I would love to do something, but I don’t know what to do or how to get involved!”
At Hope Force International (HFI), our calling is simple: to equip willing responders and mobilize them onto pathways of service. Not all will be doctors and nurses, or even first responders such as firemen and paramedics, but everyone is needed. In our training, we emphasize “the ministry of presence”—walking sensitively and appropriately alongside those affected by crisis or disaster.
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Hope Force International Responds to Atlanta Floods
Hope Force International responds to Atlanta floods
Hope Force recently deployed a team of Hope Force Reservists to respond to the 100-year floods which inundated the Atlanta, Georgia area. The team served with our partners in the Salvation Army on food canteens, bringing encouragement to those in need.
After a few days of delivering meals to storm victims, one Hope Force Reservist, Glenda Alexander, returned home (near Atlanta) to continue responding. Having been deployed a year ago to Cedar Rapids after 500-year floods there, Glenda knew her community needed to rally together to serve those in need.
In a matter of days, local churches, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and local volunteers joined forces, each bringing “the one thing they do best”. Hundreds of victims have been served, and we’re grateful for Glenda’s leadership!
Glenda shared one touching moment this week. . . Andrea lost most of her possessions to flood waters, including a 1940’s coat that belonged to her grandmother (her only remembrance). One volunteer saw the coat in the dumpster, climbed in to rescue it and found a local cleaner who was able to completely restore the coat. Glenda and the volunteer will be presenting Andrea with the surprise this week!
Thank you for helping Hope Force International touch the lives of those in greatest need.
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Hope Force Responds to LA Station Fire
Hope Force Responds
to L.A. Station Fire
written by Vicki McGuinness, HFI Southern California Liaison
Over the weekend, Hope Force International assisted Calvary Chapel West Grove in providing 400 meals to firefighters combating the Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest. The cooking site was located in close proximity to the firefighters' fueling station, enabling them to grab food on the run or sit down to enjoy a cooked meal such as breakfast burritos or fish tacos. A team of 33 people provided a big morale boost to hungry, tired firefighters!
One volunteer was watching over the supply of cold water, when he was approached by a young man requesting a Spanish Bible. He explained that he had walked away from God, but now wanted to rededicate his life to Christ.
The volunteer spoke little Spanish, but it was enough to make a connection with this young man!
Teams driving through the neighborhoods found many opportunities to assist. One team visited and prayed with an elderly man who had stayed behind to defend his property and barely escaped to safety.
They hope to go back soon to clean up his property!
Jesus commissioned us to "go to all the world and preach the gospel." Sometimes that "world" in is our own backyard and our compassionate actions speak louder than words.
**Please click here to read the moving account of one of our Hope Force Reservists, Kara Jenkins, who just finished serving in the fire-stricken area. This story beautifully demonstrates what being a Hope Force Reservist is all about!
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Hope Force International Responds to “Good Friday” Tornado Devastation
A category F3-F4 tornado hit Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Good Friday afternoon, April 10th, leaving a swath of destruction that leveled homes and left people in shock. Sadly, a young mother and her nine week-old baby were killed, and the grieving husband and father is still hospitalized with a broken back. Considering the fact that the tornado was on the ground for five minutes, it is remarkable that the loss of life and personal injury was not much greater. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who have experienced the trauma of loss, and are still struggling to regain a sense of normalcy.
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Mr. Billiot
Our team encountered Mr. Billiot, a 69-year old resident, trying to tarp his home, to no avail, prior to Hurricane Ike’s landfall. Mr. Billiot has lived in the Isle de Jean Charles community, near Montegut, Louisiana, his entire life. When asked if he needed help, he asked, "How much will it cost?" The answer: "What if we told you it's free?"
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Identifying An Area of Need
Chauvin, Louisiana
Our team encountered Mr. Billiot, a 69-year old resident, trying to tarp his home, to no avail, prior to Hurricane Ike’s landfall. Mr. Billiot has lived in the Isle de Jean Charles community, near Montegut, Louisiana, his entire life. When asked if he needed help, he asked, "How much will it cost?" The answer: "What if we told you it's free?"
While the Houston/Galveston area staggers to its feet under the watchful eye of our media, it is easy to forget “the least of these” among us; their story and plight are far from the headlines.
Hope Force International responded immediately to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast in the wakes of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, identifying Chauvin, Louisiana, as the location where we have focused our ongoing efforts. In fact, until recently, HFI has been the only organization offering assistance in this small community.
Click here to read more...
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Sue's Story
Sue Duby serves as the Hope Force International Training Coordinator and fulfilled the role of Finance Chief during her recent deployment period in Cedar Rapids.
On July 9th, I began my day in the supply warehouse for the Salvation Army’s flood recovery efforts. As I wandered through the vast space, I felt a bit overwhelmed at all the activity under one roof. . .a forklift moving stacks of fans and dehumidifiers, shopping carts filled with food and cleaning supplies, case workers compassionately helping flood victims completing paperwork, Salvation Army staff on radios, canteen trucks loading lunch supplies… and many smiling faces delivering hugs.
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Chuck's Story
I want to share a story about “Tom”, 71, who lived in Czech Village all his life. He survived the floods of 1993, but this time the water completely covered the first floor of his small, two-story house in an ethnic neighborhood near downtown Cedar Rapids. When I met him, we were feeding his neighborhood a mid-day meal every day from the Salvation Army mobile feeding unit. There were piles of rubbish outside -- a combination of personal items, furniture and major appliances. His whole neighborhood was in the same condition… like walking into a war zone. There was a group of young people helping with the “mucking out” of the house which would leave the house uninhabitable; walls were stripped to the studs, and the incredible smell of mold permeated the house.
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Click here to read of HFI's efforts in the Midwest floods: HFI Reservists, John and Cindy VanTiem (Michigan), Glenda Alexander (Georgia), Andy Shapiro (Tennessee) and Chuck and Sue Duby (Tennessee). |
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HFI Helps in Midwest Flood
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To First Responders...
I was introduced to Jack and Cherie Minton, the founders of Hope Force International, in early 2006 by a mutual friend. Our friendship and professional relationship grew rapidly as I learned more about HFI’s mission, vision, and core values. I personally observed Jack’s and Cherie’s unconditional love and compassion toward people in need. As first responders and healthcare professionals ... |
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Deputy Fire Chief,
Kirk Dominic
Costa Mesa Fire Department,
HFI west coast liaison
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Hope Force Celebrates First International Training!
A few weeks ago, we were privileged to share our HFI four-day basic training with over 25 people in Pachuca, Mexico – about one hour from Mexico City. Participants came from Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun, Juarez, and Chiapas. We want to extend a special “thank you” to our hosts, Ricardo and Citlali Hernandez, Directors of YWAM Pachuca, and their wonderful team.
We were also honored to have our colleagues in the Salvation Army present for one of the days, collaborating with us to train our participants on one of their new mobile feeding units, as well as various topics. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Captain Gutierrez and Captain Camarillo of The Salvation Army for helping to make this a highly successful training event.
Recent floods in the Mexican State of Tabasco has brought a heightened awareness of the need for greater numbers of emergency disaster responders. We look forward to growing our Hope Force International Reservist ranks in Mexico, and for the opportunity to partner with our colleagues in The Salvation Army – Mexico.
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A Reservist's Story...
Tornadoes… Floods… Hurricanes….
Many times we are asked, “What does a Hope Force Reservist do in times like this?”
Continue reading for an account of what one of our HFI Reservists, Betty Lynn Duley, experienced during her recent deployment….
On February 6, 2008, a series of tornadoes struck five southern states causing at least 52 deaths, 150 injuries, and considerable property damage. Hope Force, International quickly responded to one of the hardest hit counties in Middle Tennessee, offering 717 hours of volunteer hours of food services, and spiritual and emotional care .
Macon County received a direct hit from a deadly EF4 tornado that cut a ½ mile swath through the countryside, killing thirteen people and injuring scores. Hope Force Reservists were quickly on the ground with two Salvation Army canteens ministering to the survivors by early Wednesday morning, February 7th.
One can only imagine the range of emotions when responders and victims came to grips with a disaster of this magnitude. Betty Lynn Duley, one of our Hope Force Reservists, in an email to Cherie Minton, said of her experiences:
“No words can actually convey the destruction, the loss of life and property in this tight knit, rural community where families have known each other for generations. One could see the shock and brokenness of loss. We met and talked with the people who had returned after the storm to salvage what they could of their belongings and to offer help to their neighbors. We became aware of an inner strength and a determination to survive displayed by the locals. Still the loss and ugly devastation was overwhelming.
One elderly gentleman drove up and stopped at our canteen. Upon our offer of hot coffee and comforting conversation – he started to sob. Everything was gone - his home and all he had built there over a lifetime had been blown away and destroyed by the winds. No pictures, no evidence of a family history, no favorite coffee cup or gift - all gone. An empty lot was all that memorialized where his home had stood.”
Click here for the rest of the story...
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HFI Responds to Southern California Fires
Hope Force International has responded to the southern California wildfires in several ways. With our various partners, Hope Force was able to identify and meet the needs of many of those affected by this devastating disaster. "Volunteer San Diego", Hope Force International and Social Venture Partners recently conducted a donation drive through a televised appeal to raise needed donations, resulting in the distribution of many needed items across the southern California area.
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What is a Blitz Build?
Hope Force International recently led a team of 85 highly skilled and dedicated volunteers, comprised of several organizations, to build a home in two weeks -- from ground up -- soon dubbed a "Blitz Build."
Mr. Edward Parker, aged 76, lost his home to Hurricane Katrina. “My niece told me to evacuate, but I had some medical issues and didn’t want to be in a shelter. I made it through Hurricane Camille, so I thought I was going to make it through Hurricane Katrina as well. ... I went to the window to look out and I was sitting in the middle of a bay. ...
I went into the kitchen and climbed up on the kitchen counter and held onto the cabinets. The water got up to my shoulder level…. I just started praying, ‘Lord please don’t let me go out like this!’"
To see the pictures from beginning to end, click here: MORE
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A Compelling Need
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Sudan is experiencing a crisis like the world has never seen before!
The cause of the disaster is a collision of natural and man-made influences which have produced terrible results.
Women and children are disproportionally affected by the violence and drought in Sudan.
Hope Force International is planning a response to this devastating need.
Click here for more...
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Are You Responding?
Earthquake rocks Peru. Hurricane Dean narrowly misses Jamaica. Floods devastate the Midwest. With the recent flurry of disasters around the globe, many have asked, “Are you responding???”. As Hope Force International considers each situation, we’ve determined eight key factors in our assessment and decisions...
Click here for more...
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HFI Reservist Profile
Greg and Rose Ventura, HFI Reservists from Papillion, Nebraska, have just returned from serving the community of Greensburg, Kansas -- a town decimated from a horrendous F5 tornado on May 4, 2007. While the attention of this town’s great need has waned in the public eye, the need is still great. They responded to the call to come and serve in the local distribution center for two weeks.
Greg and Rose have served on several deployments since they became HFI Reservists in July, 2005 – in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and subsequent trips to the Gulf coast – and now in Greensburg. During their time in Kansas, they were struck with the courage of individuals who have tirelessly served their neighbors, in spite of their own great losses. Greg shared the example of one woman who worked daily in the distribution center – a survivor who had lost her husband, home and everything she owned to the tornado’s fury. “She told me that she had lost everything, and ‘what the storm didn’t take, the bulldozers did’… including her garden.” In spite of her great loss, she was tirelessly serving others in her community.
When Greg found a small garden spade among the donated items in the distribution center, he decided to wrap it with a cash gift from someone in his church, and presented it to her with the encouragement to start her garden once again. He was deeply touched when she broke into tears, and realized that this one small act of kindness was much more significant than just simply meeting a practical need… but ministered to her emotional need.
In Hope Force, we often talk about the fact that oftentimes, it is simply our presence that can make a difference. The loving touch… the willingness to give a helping hand or lend a listening ear… can make a world of difference, imparting hope and courage to face the future.
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Project Rebuild
The media attention has long moved on from the gulf coast of America, yet the vast physical and emotional needs of Hurricane Katrina's victims remain. Hope Force International's Project Rebuild was birthed from a desire to assist the long-term recovery needs of the elderly, the disabled and single mothers in East Biloxi, Mississippi -- an area ravaged by the worst natural disaster the U.S. has ever known.
Working with permanent Hope Force staff, teams from around the United States and Canada have served the needy residents of Biloxi, beginning a week after the storm hit on August 29, 2005.
READ MORE TO SEE HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED!
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A Very Special Thank You
Bettye and Frenchy Duhon represent countless others along the Mississippi Gulf struggling to rebuild their lives 18 months after the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. Fortunately, our Project Rebuild team was - and is - there to lend a helping hand. As a result of hard work and much prayer, the Duhons are living in their newly restored home. They expressed their gratitude in a recent letter to Hope Force International:
"Dear Mr. Minton and Hope Force International,
My husband and I had the great fortune to have Craig Snow and all of his wonderful staff and volunteers come to our assistance shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. We wanted to let you know how much we appreciate the efforts of this team and the support that they have had from Hope Force International. We realize that no one can stand alone and do much to help in the great task of rebuilding the Gulf Coast, but rather, it is team effort that accomplishes the seemingly impossible. And, with God on your team, you all have accomplished and continue to accomplish so much here to help us all get our lives back on track. We pray that God will continue to bless your work and every aspect of your lives and your organization.
We are only two of the grateful residents here in Biloxi, but I know that we speak for all in saying "Thank you" from the depths of our hearts. We appreciate you all so much.
With His love,
Bettye and Frenchy Duhon"
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