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By Peter Biggs
MELTING snow along with torrential rains produced a
predictable result in Chilliwack as flash floods overwhelmed many homes
last month.
More than 200 homes were damaged, some severely, with
at least 64 people being forced out of their homes.
Christians were amongst those at the forefront of
response to homeowners whose houses were severely damaged.
Samaritan’s Purse Canada (SPC) sent its Disaster
Relief Unit to Chilliwack, in order to help local emergency officials and
residents clean up.
Brent Davis, team coordinator for SPC based in Calgary,
spoke to BCCN.
“We have a semi-trailer full of specialized flood
relief equipment,” he said. This branch of Samaritan’s Purse
started in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.
SPC is partnering for the first time in Canada with the
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), which can mobilize volunteer labour from
a range of local churches.
Leonard Klassen of MDS described the cooperation:
“We have the volunteer numbers, they bring some equipment that we
don’t have. In our discussions we both realized that we have
strengths in different areas, and we are committing to serve together.
“For me, the bottom line is that people get
helped.”
Davis said of the challenge, “This is a
‘flash’ not a ‘river’ flood – so the
water rises and falls much quicker.
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“If a home gets only two inches of water on the
main floor, the area will need to be gutted and treated for
mould.”
Since January 15 this partnership of ministries has
helped over 40 homeowners.
“Volunteers come from Chilliwack, Abbotsford and
Mission mainly,” Davis said. “There is no charge to homeowners
for anything.”
Ike Thiessen works with MDS as a volunteer coordinator.
“By the time we’re done it will be over 100
homes, and we target those who are physically or financially challenged
first,” he said.
He is emphatic that what they do is in the name of
Christ.
“We’ve also had volunteers from Reformed
and other churches, and the Salvation Army is involved.”
February 2009
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