Working Together for Flood Relief in KY
“The love of God at work is stronger than many waters.”
- Rev. Martin Gornik, Apostles Anglican Church, Lexington, KY
Lexington, KY
This blog was written by Tommy Lamb, ARDF’s National Disaster Response Network Director. You can learn more about this new initiative here.
Volunteers work to distribute supplies.
Kentucky continues to suffer natural disasters! Earlier this year tornadoes hit in and around Mayfield, KY, and now there is deadly and devastating flooding in eastern Kentucky. FEMA has just declared another five counties eligible to receive federal assistance bringing the total number to twelve.
The response from faith-based and secular relief organizations has been hampered by the rural nature of the flood zone. Cell service is limited. Individuals and families are cut off from relief because of washed-out bridges and roads, and have lost their cars and trucks in the flood. Local efforts to restore access have been heroic using whatever materials are available to build temporary bridges. Many families are picking up supplies at nearby distribution centers, but because so many families have no access, volunteers are taking meals and supplies out to those who are isolated, checking on them and helping with any emergency needs.
We are grateful for our partners in the North American Lutheran Church.
ARDF, along with our partner, the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), has been working with Apostles Anglican Church, Lexington, KY, and Fr. Martin Gornik. Martin+ volunteered in New Orleans, LA, after Hurricane Katrina, and wanted to respond to the flood survivors’ needs in his state. Martin+ contacted a friend, Pastor Greg Horn, of Christ Community Church, Jackson, KY, who was helping to set up a relief supply distribution point at County Line Community Church on the border of Breathitt and Perry Counties, which are two of the federally-declared disaster areas. With the help of Mary Bates from the NALC and their national relief supplies warehouse in Caldwell, OH, eighteen pallets of cleaning and personal hygiene supplies, as well as Bibles, hand-made blankets, school and baby supplies, were delivered within two days to County Line Community Church. Here is what one volunteer had to say.
Volunteers gave away handmade dolls and blankets!
We had a wonderful day (although miserably hot) distributing the much-needed items you sent our way. Everyone was so very grateful for the donations. The health kits were a great hit! Many are still without electricity or running water. There are mobile showers set up in town, but most people didn’t have a towel or toiletries. Also, even though it was 91 degrees, the sweet ladies that were coming in to get cleaning supplies really enjoyed the homemade quilts! It seemed to give them a brief moment of normalcy in their lives. I heard one lady make the statement, “I can’t believe they gave us these beautiful, homemade blankets.” There was a steady stream of people in line for hours! Please relay our gratitude to everyone that made this possible.
Since that time, Apostles Anglican, along with St. Patrick’s Anglican, has raised over $9,000 in disaster response funds. The two churches are also working to assemble a group of volunteers to help distribute supplies, meals and help clean up debris and homes. Fr. Martin reflects on the past week here.
When Tommy Lamb of ARDF called me the day after the flood and offered resources to help us respond, I knew very little about the ins and outs of relief work. I’ve now talked to pastors and watched them shift into another gear in galvanizing help and shepherding people in crisis. Our own congregation overwhelmed me by giving generously and abundantly beyond my expectations when we took up an offering the Sunday after the flood. One of the sweetest joys is to rediscover that the Body of Christ transcends our denominational boundaries. On the ground in the flood zone we are simply brothers and sisters in Christ. I’m just deeply grateful to share in the response that God is raising up. The love of God at work is stronger than many waters.
As I visit with Anglicans about becoming involved in our National Disaster Response Network, I most often hear that a person doesn’t feel physically equipped to respond as they think of debris removal, using a chainsaw, or constructing and remodeling homes. What I have learned is that it is best to start small, think about what disaster survivor God has put in your life, and then say “Yes!” when the Spirit puts it on your heart to reach out and offer your assistance. If you say yes, God will use his gifts to equip you and connect you with the right person to provide the spiritual, physical and material care that survivors need after a disaster. Then be prepared to experience our Lord’s joy and blessing of serving your neighbor.
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