This Week - From the North West to the East.

This week started with a focus on the North West with final arrangements being made for the Good Day Out in Weilmoringle, an event to give a welcome break and opportunity to socialise, for people in drought stricken Weil . For a lot of us the drought is over but for some it continues and the North West is one of those places.
Quickly though, the focus changed from that fun event to one of dealing with the bush fires that had hit the mountains and other areas normally considered East to those on this side of the mountains.

Phill, closer toWeil geographically, committed himself to attending the Good Day Out, while Julie turned her attention to the bush fire situation. It all came on very quickly and Julie spent a day and a night, followed by more days on the phone organising disaster relief chaplains to go into areas hit by fires to provide a listening ear to those who had to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. Normally she would be in the field herself but this time she was manning the phone in a co-ordinating role.
So constant was the need that there was not much sleep the night the fires hit and in the days which followed no time for even for ordinary tasks like cooking meals. Tuna and rice became a necessary favourite and church friends brought in shopping supplies and meals.
Being able to keep commitments to one planned event and also serve in an emergency proves the benefits of having two full time chaplains and one in a part-time supporting role.

                   A reminder to those who want to offer help and who ask "What can we do ?

                   Don't send 

It just becomes more work for those in the field.

Do send 

                                                                               

It is easier to distribute and more use to the people you are trying to help.

*As I write this on Wednesday night the situation is easing and the planned evacuation of the Mountains seems to be halted. We pray that the situation will continue to cool tonight and the danger be over for those many people in that area.

*Please do what you can to spread the word about the best way to help.

*Last year a blog was written on how to help in an emergency and the Moderator has put out a statement too so if you want to know more you can google those items.