For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
The Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren participated in a Brethren Disaster Ministries activity in the Lumberton, NC, area the week of February 2-8, 2020. In addition to those from the District, the volunteer team included persons from the Indiana South/Central Districts of the Church of the Brethren, plus leadership persons provided by BDM. The response of the team was uniformly positive given that all volunteers worked well together, the food was more than adequate, the accommodations in Lumberton were excellent, and being able to help families suffering loss felt like a privilege.
The next scheduled IL/WI BDM assignment is November 29 through December 5, 2020. The location is to be determined. Persons with a potential interest in being part of that team, or wanting more information should contact the BDM District Disaster Coordinator, Loren Habegger, at ILWI.DDC.LH@gmail.com .
Also, a person from York Center traveled to the Virgin Islands, January 6-19, 2019, to assist in their clean up from Hurricane Maria (2017) that devastated the island. Following the hurricane, many places were wrapped with tarps and are still waiting for clean up and restoration assistance.