Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 1

Brethren Disaster Ministries

Rebuilding Homes • Nurturing Children • Responding Globally

Vol. 22, Summer 2021 Pondering Connections— INSIDE Hurricanes, Tornados, Migrating COVID-19 Response Updates...... 2 CDS Updates ...... 3 Children, and NE Nigeria Who is my neighbor? ...... 3 by Roy Winter Rebuilding Lives in Central While pondering the America: Hurricane Recovery ...... 4 diversity of BDM’s CDS Moving Forward with Fall different ministries in Training Schedule...... 4 this issue, I was struck Grants Expand Nigeria Crisis by how they have an Response and COVID-19 Relief ...... 5 important connection. Volcanic Eruption near Goma, Maybe thinking about DR Congo ...... 5 these connections can Rebuilding Updates ...... 6 help us be better partners Would you like to receive BRIDGES in disaster recovery and by email?...... 6 even work more at BDM Project Expenses Correction ....6 preventing future disasters. A New Pathway for Renters in Dayton, Ohio ...... 7 Having two major Aerial view of some of the flooding caused by Hurricane Eta in Honduras. hurricanes strike land in Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy Rebuilding Homes and Mending Broken Hearts ...... 7 November (Eta & Iota in Central America) caused me to really tornados, and floods. I understand that Virtual Blood Drive ...... 8 pause and wonder. November hurricanes warming oceans and climate change are are unusual and ones that make landfall a significant part of these trends. are even more unusual. But having two I also recalled listening to Nigerian storms form in November has never farmers and church leaders share their happened, and they both struck deep concern about climate change, Nicaragua within 15 miles of each other is a program of the changing rains, longer droughts, and Church of the Brethren and just 13 days apart. The greatest more years with crop failure. Some are destruction of homes from these storms trying different crops that are more occurred in Honduras, where government drought tolerant. This, along with a corruption and organized crime already growing population of young adults made most people’s lives difficult and without job prospects, helped to create is a program of dangerous, or worse. the crisis in Northeast Nigeria. I then Brethren Disaster Ministries When reflecting on the rebuilding remembered how Haitian farmers talked project in Dayton, Ohio, I recalled that about similar changes and hardships For more information on the 2019 Memorial Day tornado outbreak from changing rain patterns. Brethren Disaster Ministries had some unusually strong tornados and 1-800-451-4407 Climate change is an area of program www.brethren.org/bdm set a new record for the most tornados to emphasis for many of our partners, touch down in one day in Ohio. In my including Church World Service. 20 years working with BDM, we have The United Nations puts it this way: often responded to unprecedented or “Climate change is the defining crisis of record-breaking hurricanes, typhoons, continued on page 2 Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 2

Pondering Connections continued from page 1 migrants. One solution our time and disaster displacement one is to help address the of its most devastating consequences.” hunger and poverty (www.unhcr.org/en-us/climate- in the countries from change-and-disasters.html) which migrants flee, The challenges of climate change, such as by rebuilding including more frequent and homes in Honduras, devastating disasters, are also part so that people will be of the mix in global migrations able to recover from (certainly violence, poverty, the storms and find economic opportunity, and more hope again in their also play a part). We see it in the homeland. influx of Latin American and In my pondering, I Caribbean refugees along our keep wondering how southern border. As a parent of two the Church and BDM married children, and hoping to be should address the a grandfather soon, I understand root causes of poverty, parents wanting to make sure their hunger, and migration. children don’t have to struggle to Given the influence simply survive. We want our kids to that changes in climate do better than us. Called by Christ have on disasters and to care for the stranger, CDS is BDM’s ministry, it is responding by caring for children at time to focus more on an immigrant respite center in Texas. reducing the impact These issues are complex, with on disaster survivors many factors besides the environment through better and climate impacting people living mitigation and The 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes in Ohio damaged or destroyed in poverty and those who become preparedness. 1,779 residences, including apartment buildings. Photos courtesy of Sam Dewey COVID-19 Response Updates COVID-19 Outbreak in India other grants, encourage their churches opportunity for additional grants. Worsens for Indian Brethren to support outreach and relief efforts The Global COVID-19 Pandemic A spiking of COVID-19 infections themselves. Grant program continues to provide in India started in early April and The U.S. COVID-19 Pandemic emergency support to global Churches quickly grew to the world’s worst Grant program supports churches of the Brethren and selected partners, outbreak with more than 4,000 and districts in meeting humanitarian including CoB groups in the COVID-19 related deaths a day. needs in their congregations and Democratic Republic of Congo, Sadly, this has led to the deaths of communities. Even though the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nigeria, several Church of the Brethren in pandemic is better controlled in the Rwanda, Spain and Venezuela, and India leaders. Emergency Disaster United States and vaccines are being mission points in Ecuador, Honduras, Fund (EDF) grants have been offered provided, new grant requests are Mexico, and South Sudan. to support the church, but an Indian still being accepted. Churches that The COVID-19 grant programs will law called the Foreign Exchange received grants and have provided continue as long as needed, providing Management Act, passed in 1999, good reporting are offered the funds are available. makes transferring funds to India very difficult and so far grant funding COVID-19 Pandemic Grant Summary 2020 — May 31, 2021 Amount has not been possible. Brazil (and other countries in U.S. Grants 29 congregations from 11 districts $177,562 northern South America) have also 11 Global CoB denominations and mission Global Brethren Grants $231,050 seen their highest spike in cases and points deaths in 2021. Brazil Brethren also 3 Partners – Church World Service, IMA suffered the death of a key church Global Partner Grants $80,000 World Health, Project Global Village leader to COVID-19. Church leaders, seeking to be independent of EDF and Total $488,612 2 Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 3

CDS Updates Texas Deployments CDS reconnected Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) with the center, deployed three teams to work with where it worked in children along the U.S./Mexico 2018, in response to border in Texas in April and May the growing pressure 2021. The teams spent a total of since the beginning six weeks at the Catholic Charities of 2021 on systems Humanitarian Respite Center of designed to help the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV), migrant families providing creative play opportunities seeking asylum due for the children and much needed to two devastating rest for their parents before the next hurricanes that hit leg of their journey. They averaged Central America in 73 child contacts per day, with a November 2020 The second CDS Texas team photographed with Sister Norma Pimentel total of 2,651 children served during and changes in U.S. (second from right). Photo courtesy of Patty Henry their deployments. The volunteer border policy. Sister coordinator at CCRGV stated, Norma Pimentel, executive director of amazing. This is love, this is beautiful”. “Thanks for all you do to help. We CCRGV, reminds us that this CDS was glad to be able to be part of truly appreciate it and the children humanitarian work is crucial, saying the children’s journey for a brief time love it!” “touching somebody’s life, reaching out while they passed through the CCRGV. to them, bringing a smile to a child is continued on page 4 Who is my neighbor? by Raiza Spratt, CDS volunteer, Texas, April 2021 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not that fit them, forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some clean clothes people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. with dignity, Hebrews 13: 1-2 (NIV) water that My neighbor sometimes arrives like a quiet whisper hydrates, a or a breeze I may or may not notice. doctor with compassion, My neighbor is the child who comes running with a work without Photo by Raiza Spratt grateful hug because he found a safe oasis to play. exploitation, and food without strings attached. My neighbor is a person who feels pain, feels hunger, My neighbor sometimes comes without physical feels anxiety, feels the blisters on their feet from walking, belongings but they carry the Minga and Fiesta, they feels the weight of problems that are too big for any one carry heritage and values with them. They carry a person or any one country to solve. language with memories. My neighbor yearns to be noticed, to be seen as a Some neighbors are polite and share and some human being. neighbors grab and take because they remember a time My neighbor hides the struggles and pain that they when they didn’t have and they don’t know when their next opportunity will come. carry with them. My neighbor’s journey took anywhere from days to My neighbor is a person, a human being, someone years, enduring the unpredictable weather of valleys, who chooses Hope over fear, and it is that hope that mountains, deserts, rivers, and politics. Sometimes helps them endure the unimaginable and fuels their crossing 5 or 6 nations before arriving to what they resilience and strength. hope is the Promised Land: a safe home. My neighbor . . . The human I’m called to love. My neighbor is a pregnant teen, who, not by choice My neighbor is a migrant, a homeless, a survivor, a carries the future of the next generation. fighter, a sometimes invisible human being. My neighbor asks for the most basic of things: shoes Blessed be my neighbor.

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Rebuilding Lives in Central America: Hurricane Recovery Sponsor a house in Honduras for provided for both immediate recovery hurricane survivors: $2,500 from the storms and for starting long- Less than six months after powerful term rebuilding. The early response 2020 Hurricanes Eta and Iota caused work included CWS, PAG, and a widespread destruction, affecting more third partner, Christian Solidarity than eight million people, lives are Program for Honduras. With $45,000 being rebuilt in Central America. In in immediate relief grants from the Honduras, where the majority of those Emergency Disaster Fund, these impacted live (4.6 million), key BDM partners supported communities in response partner Proyecto Aldea Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua Global (PAG, Project Global Village) with food kits, hygiene supplies, is building new 400 sq ft houses on blankets, medical supplies, water, land above the flood plain for and the transportation for a container survivors who lost their homes. of food from the U.S. These new homes are being built for The 2021 goal is to provide an These new houses in Honduras for hurricane about $2,500, with the homeowners additional $75,000 to help build 25 survivors are being constructed on high ground to reduce the risk of future flooding. providing much of the labor. Through new homes and several water systems. Photo courtesy of Proyecto Aldea Global PAG, BDM is also helping rebuild community water systems for $5,000- $10,000 each. These small-scale CDS Updates catchment and piping systems bring the safety of both the volunteers and safe water down the mountain into the children. CDS looks forward to homes and community water stations. additional deployments in 2021 as it Another BDM partner, Church monitors the humanitarian situation World Service (CWS), is focused on and prepares for the summer and fall rebuilding livelihoods, replanting disaster seasons. crops, repairing or reconstructing homes, and rehabilitating water systems in Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Helping these families CDS moving rebuild quickly, and in many cases live in better homes on higher land, gives forward with them hope in a future and enables A boy at the respite center enjoying imaginative playtime. After a long journey of hardships, the fall training them to stay in their community. children enjoyed just being kids again. Through mid-May, $70,000 in Photo courtesy of Patty Henry Emergency Disaster Fund grants continued from page 3 schedule CDS is working with a few locations At the end of the deployment of the to resume standard CDS trainings in second Texas team, project manager the fall of 2021 with increased safety Patty Henry remarked, “We were a sad protocols in place. Registrations for group saying goodbye today. Efrian, fall trainings will open soon. Two the male security guard, told us that locations are currently confirmed, we set the bar high and team three with plans to add at least one more: will need to fill big shoes. As we were leaving the main room at the Respite Lombard, Illinois Center, the front desk all stood up and York Center Church of the Brethren applauded our team and thanked us September 24-25, 2021 for our big hearts and so much help.” Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania CDS continues to seek places where Roaring Spring First Church of the their volunteers can contribute to the Brethren, care of children affected by trauma and November 5-6, 2021 Children rejoice as the water to their home is disasters, especially those aged 4 to 12. Watch the CDS Facebook page for restored after the village system was damaged in the hurricane and flooding. In the age of COVID-19, many new registration details and additional Photo courtesy of Proyecto Aldea Global protocols are in place to help ensure locations to be released soon. 4 Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 5

Grants Expand Nigeria Crisis Response and COVID-19 Relief In early March 2021, Rev. Yuguda provided emergency food for Mdurvwa, director of EYN disaster households in two IDP (internally relief ministries (DRM), reported that displaced person) camps in Maidugari: fertilizer prices had risen well above the Christian Association of Nigeria (162) planned relief program budget and that and Shuwari (202). the displaced families in camps around After the distribution, Mr. Markus, Maiduguri were “left without food.” from the Shuwari camp, exclaimed The Nigeria Crisis Response budget for “We are very happy. We thank you for 2021 includes supporting farmers with sustaining our life in the camp. My mouth seeds and fertilizer, food distributions cannot thank the DRM enough for the Residents of Shuwari IDP Camp in Maiduguri in critical areas, repairing homes, intervention they brought to us today.” (Northeast Nigeria) joyfully receive food after medical care, and education. However, An additional EDF grant of $15,000 experiencing hunger. Photo courtesy of EYN ongoing attacks, other violence, and from the COVID-19 grant program ongoing violence only getting worse. kidnappings continue to challenge the provided relief programming to widows This need was highlighted in an country, especially Christians in the and orphans, plus face coverings and update from Rev. Yuguda, received Northeast. It is a challenge to find hand sanitizer for the recent EYN on May 21, 2021, sharing that “the enough funds to do all that is Majalisa (Annual Conference). security situation is getting worse and desperately needed in this long-term Through the Nigeria Crisis out of control” and “all the states in response. Response, the Church of the Brethren Nigeria [are] under attack” This In response to Rev. Yuguda’s March has partnered with the Nigerian includes the “murder” of an EYN alert, an Emergency Disaster Fund Brethren in their journey of relief and pastor in Gombi on May 18. (EDF) grant of $15,000, above the recovery. The response continues and Please continue to pray for our planned 2021 budget of $110,000, will be needed for years, with the Nigerian Brethren. Volcanic Eruption near Goma, DR Congo The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on May 22 and weeks of earthquakes and tremors caused havoc for families in cities of Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Gisenyi (Rwanda), and and many villages on the northern end of Lake Kivu. UN OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) reported at least 32 people died, thousands of homes were destroyed, and hundreds of unaccompanied children were in temporary care centers. Property damage was reported in the villages and in Goma’s suburbs and in some parts of Rwanda. A May 27 evacuation order from the provincial governor Lava flow from Mt. Nyiragongo came near to Goma, DR Congo. for parts of Goma, along with the fear Photo courtesy of Bill and Ann Clemmer, IMA World Health of an additional eruption, caused section of nearby Lake Kivu. There is Faraja Dieudonné to establish an thousands to flee to areas west and concern the continued earthquakes appropriate response. An Emergency south of Goma, while thousands more could lead to another fissure and lava Disaster Fund grant of $5,000 is fled across the border to Rwanda. flow, or to an eruption on the land or supporting immediate needs in Goma This disaster is likely not over. under the lake. while longer term plans are being The volcano’s crater has begun to Brethren Disaster Ministries is developed. Another grant to the refill with lava and magma has been working with Congolese Brethren Rwandan Church of the Brethren is detected under parts of Goma and a leader Ron Lubungo and Goma pastor continued on page 6 5 Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 6

Rebuilding Updates Volcanic Eruption continued from page 5 Dayton, Ohio Project New Windsor, Md. Since January supporting the displaced families in The rebuilding site in Dayton, 2014 Kim has been serving and living Rwanda. Additional grants are Ohio, reopened in mid-April 2021 to full-time on the BDM Rebuilding sites anticipated as the response plans recommence support of the recovery as a long-term disaster project leader, develop. from the Memorial Day tornadoes covering office and household management. Kim is from York, Pa., BDM partners IMA World Health that swept the area in 2019. Local and HEAL Africa have programs in Southern Ohio/Kentucky district where she previously served as the district disaster coordinator for the Goma and are organizing a response, volunteers provided the labor for which BDM may also support. Watch the first two weeks before overnight Southern Pennsylvania District. She is also an ordained minister in the for updates in Newsline or on the volunteers from the full BDM BDM Facebook page. schedule returned. This location is Church of the Brethren. Kim began this interim work May 17, 2021. Prayers are requested for Church scheduled to be the only national of the Brethren members and BDM rebuilding site through October Dunker Punks Podcast congregations in the Goma and 2, 2021, when it will close completely Featuring BDM/BVS Volunteer Gisenyi areas, and for all those as the local partners are scheduled to affected in the DRC and Rwanda. conclude their work. Evan Ulrich, BDM is continuing to monitor who is serving for many elements of this site, including a year with BDM the supply chain of materials for during his Would you like to completing the repairs. Availability of Brethren products has been affected and prices Volunteer Service, receive BRIDGES have risen in the Dayton area, as they was featured on by email? the Dunker Punks have in many locations across the Brethren Disaster Ministries Podcast #115 on country, altering the cost and timeline is now offering our Bridges May 15, 2021. for completion. Purchasing available newsletter electronically for those Visit the website at plumbing supplies has been a who would prefer not to receive a www.arlingtoncob.org/dpp to listen challenge recently due to the historic paper copy. to his incredible testimony. Evan freeze in Texas, as many parts were If we have your email address, sent south to help with that recovery. concludes his period of full-time service on July 23, 2021, and will you will be receiving an email asking about your preferences. In Prince Georges County (Md.) enter graduate school at the University of Vermont. the meantime, you may also send Flood Response an email to [email protected], BDM partnered with Islamic Relief Puerto Rico District or give us a call at 800-451-4407, USA (IRUSA) to help with repairs Celebration of Hurricane regarding any preferences or any after the September 2020 flooding in questions you may have. Prince Georges County, Md. Veteran Maria work BDM volunteer Galen Martin, from The Puerto Rico District of the the Mid-Atlantic District, served on Church of the Brethren is planning Saturday, May 22 to provide a celebration on Saturday, September BDM Project Expenses construction leadership to help train 25, 2021, at the Río Prieto Church Correction a group of new IRUSA volunteers on of the Brethren, to commemorate the An error was made in the totals replacing and finishing dry wall in fourth anniversary of when Hurricane listed on the Brethren Disaster one of the affected homes. Maria devastated the island as well as Ministries 2020 Project Expenses table the incredible work that the district on page 6 of the Winter 2021 Bridges. Interim Rebuilding Assistant did in response and recovery. Brethren The correct totals are listed below. Kim Gingerich Disaster Ministries is proud to have has been hired as had such a strong partnership in the interim ministry with our brothers and sisters Brethren Disaster Ministries program assistant in Puerto Rico, thanks to the 2020 Project Expenses volunteers and donors who faithfully for the Rebuilding U. S. Total $523,083 Program of supported this recovery. If you are Brethren Disaster interested in finding out more about International Total $702,098 this celebration, please contact the Ministries, working TOTAL BDM PROJECT out of the Brethren BDM office ([email protected] or EXPENSES $1,225,181 Service Center in 800-451-4407). 6 Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 7

A New Pathway for Renters in Dayton, Ohio When a tornado rips through a • Education and financial community it does not discriminate support will be provided between homeowners and renters. for the new homeowners This was very evident in the Miami to help them thrive in Valley area of Ohio where the their new environment. National Weather Service recorded • The homes will be sold at 19 tornadoes on Memorial Day 2019. fair market value so will According to FEMA data, it is not negatively affect the estimated that 42 percent of the value of the homes in the residences damaged by these tornadoes neighborhood. As each were inhabited by renters. In an area home is sold, the funds that already had limited rental units will go back into the and high rent prices, many of these repair or building of the families were required to relocate, next home to keep the often leaving the neighborhoods they program going. called home and moving away from While BDM’s work in schools, jobs, friends, family, and Dayton focuses on repairing beloved communities. houses for homeowners Through an incredible community- affected by the disaster, the wide collaboration of over 20 partners, Pathways program will allow the Tornado Survivor Pathway to for some homes BDM works Homeownership Project (Pathways) on to support the large was formed through the Miami Valley rental population in order The before and after view of the first Tornado Survivor Pathway Long Term Recovery Operations to support recovery for the to Homeownership Project home worked on by BDM volunteers. Group to provide opportunities for whole community. The trees were removed as a safety measure. Photos courtesy of BDM former renters to return to the community and become owners of safe, affordable homes. Initially these Rebuilding Homes and homes will either be formerly vacant nuisance houses repaired by BDM or Mending Broken Hearts new builds on empty lots completed by other voluntary organizations. The A letter from Pamlico County Disaster but you have also helped to restore program is expected to continue as a Recovery Coalition and Pamlico County and mend broken hearts. The light long-term option to provide affordable (N.C.) Government you have shown, and the relationships housing in the area. The citizens of Pamlico County you have built with survivors and their The Pathways program addresses (N.C.), Pamlico County Disaster families, will long have an impact on multiple issues: Recovery Coalition (PCDRC), and them and their generations. • There is a lack of affordable housing Pamlico County Government would like In addition, the kind wisdom, love, in the area. This program allows to convey our deep love and appreciation and fellowship shown to your partners qualifying survivors, who were to Brethren Disaster Ministries and to at PCDRC, Fuller Center Disaster renters prior to the tornados, to the Church of the Brethren. ReBuilders, Mt. Zion OFWB Church, purchase housing in the The Church of the Brethren, and our at-large community have been neighborhoods they call home, Jenn Dorsch-Messler, Steve Keim, a huge blessing. likely with a mortgage that is lower Kim Gingerich, and Brethren Disaster We already miss you and your than their previous rent payment. Ministries’ many volunteers have presence so much. We hope that BDM • There are large numbers of completed over 9,300 hours of disaster will still be able to return in the fall to vacant lots and properties that, if rebuild work in Pamlico County, more continue our precious and productive transformed, could be advantageous than any other team to present. Just as partnership of serving those in need. to the neighborhoods and important, not only have you helped With loving appreciation and jurisdictions. to repair hurricane damaged homes, gratitude. • The project can leverage the opportunities and volunteers Bridges is published three times a year by the currently working in the area in Brethren Disaster Ministries of the Church of the Brethren. Executive Director for Service Ministries: Roy Winter Director of Material Resources: Loretta Wolf support of the tornado recovery, Editor: Sharon Franzén Design: Debbie Noffsinger providing reduced labor costs. 7 Bridges Summer 2021_Bridges Summer 2021 6/14/21 11:11 AM Page 8

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE Brethren Disaster Ministries 601 Main Street, P.O. Box 188 PAID New Windsor, MD 21776 Westminster, MD Permit # 15 Address Service Requested

Virtual Blood Drive The 2021 Annual Conference has gone virtual—and so has the Blood Drive. There is still time to participate! The Blood Drive at the Annual Conference has been a tradition since 1984 with over 8,800 pints of blood donated through 2019. We missed the blood drive last year when the conference was cancelled and we didn’t want to miss it again this year. So, the drive has gone virtual with participants pledging to give and donating blood locally. A virtual blood drive campaign, managed by Brethen Disaster Ministries, has been set up through the American Red Cross SleevesUp online site (www.brethren.org/virtualblooddrive2021) where Church of the Brethen members and guests can pledge to donate blood through the end of July, regardless of whether Leonard Matheny pledged through they are attending the Annual Conference online. Alternatively, pledges can be made the 2021 Virtual Blood Drive by contacting BDM. The pledges are not mandatory, but it does help BDM keep track and gave blood at a Red Cross of who is willing to give blood and will help when following up on donations. location in Illinois. Once a person donates, they need to contact BDM to confirm their donation. Individual donations will not be tracked at donation sites, so this is the only way for BDM to get a final count of the number of pints we as a church were able to donate in 2021. Even if a person gives on a regular basis, their June/July donation can count for the Church of the Brethren. As an extra bonus for the campaign and the celebration of the Virtual Blood Drive, we encourage people to send photos of themselves giving blood. Information flyers for the blood drive are available at the Annual Conference website (www.brethren.org/ac2021/activities/blood-drive/) and the BDM homepage (www.brethren.org/bdm). For further information, questions, and to record your pledge and/or your blood donation, contact BDM at [email protected] or 800-451-4407 x1. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION TO SAVE LIVES!