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A GROUP from East Hill Community Church in Vernon will
travel in January to help hurricane victims in New Orleans.
The group signed up to volunteer with the Disaster
Response Services (DRS) of Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
(CRWRC), the relief and development arm of the Christian Reformed Church.
The ministry provides help to people suffering from poverty, injustice,
hunger and disaster.
Marcel Eilander, a member of East Hill Community
Church, felt called to do something outside of the usual daily grind. After
his Bible study group directed him to CRWRC, he filled out the volunteer
form – and together with churchmate Josh Langner, informed the church
members of the opportunity to reach out to the hurricane victims.
“We held a meeting attended by 14 people, one of
which was Mr. Hemke Vander Zwaag, a retired member of our congregation who
had volunteered with the DRS six times in the 80s and 90s,” said
Eilander.
“His enthusiasm and encouragement meant a lot,
and his stories of fellowship and rewards received from doing this work
encouraged us even more.” After the meeting, eight people signed up,
with a few more hopefuls.
“When Marcel came to me with the idea of helping
out CRWRC disaster relief, I was really interested,” said
Harold Van Boven, who had been on three mission trips before –
experiences which have changed his perspective.
“At work, I build $2 million lakefront summer
homes for people that already have homes – while with these mission
experiences, I can use my talents to benefit someone that really needs
help!”
The service project is an opportunity to help people
in a very tangible way, said Langner.
“I feel as though this is a way to sanctify my
skills, to return to God a portion of talents that he has blessed me
with.”
Living a busy life makes it difficult to serve in a
meaningful way, he said, and being on this team will help him to help
others, while strengthening his relationship with God.
Louisiana was hit in September by hurricanes Gustav
and Ike, leading to billions lost in damages – and even claiming
lives.
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The team hopes to bring people who have lost
everything to a place of restoration – starting with their houses.
“Several of our group are qualified carpenters
– so if it comes down to it, we can tear down and rebuild from the
ground up,” said Eilander. They plan to help with anything from
cleanup to rebuilding.
He hopes this will be the first among many mission
trips the team will go on. “CRWRC also operates in many Third World
countries like Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua and
Nigeria,” Eilander said.
“We all know that we are not going to change the
world – but that is no excuse not to try,” remarked Langner.
“We hope to spread a little hope and blessing
upon a place that needs it. God works through his people; I like to be
there when God is busy working.”
Although the group will be paying their way to go
south of the border, they are fundraising to donate materials that will go
toward the relief effort.
Cheques can be made out to East Hill Community Church
DRS Team, 3605 – 12th Street, Vernon, BC V1T 3S7.
– Lailani Mendoza
November 2008
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