Our Work

Flood Recovery Wraps Up: Canada

Tweet

On May 15, 2008 the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Unit (DRU) rolled into Fredericton, New Brunswick to help residents clean up after the worst flooding in over 25 years.

After five weeks, with 109 homeowners helped and over 2500 volunteer hours worked, the DRU is getting ready to leave the provincial capital.

“It was a tremendous honor to have been able to serve here,” said John Best, the Samaritan’s Purse base manager in Fredericton. “The work that our volunteers completed here for their neighbors was just incredible. I really believe that the glory of the Lord shone here in Fredericton.”

Volunteers were the driving force behind the work in Fredericton. Every step of the labor-intensive flood recovery effort – from lugging out water-logged furniture to ripping out drywall, flooring, and moldy insulation – was carried out by hard-working volunteers.

“When I first started to help out I was just expecting to do clean-up, but as I got into it more, I realized it wasn’t just cleaning up people’s things, it was helping them to rebuild their lives,” said Shelley Jones, a regular volunteer with the Samaritan’s Purse flood recover teams. “That’s one of the things that really changed the way I look at the world.”

Lori Gray, another volunteer who helped on several occasions, agreed that her experience has helped to change her perspective.

“When you help someone who has their whole life ripped apart like that it’s a very humbling experience,” Gray said. “You realize that as important as it is to help with the physical side of the clean up, helping them emotionally is just as important.”

“At the end of the day, what this whole operation is about is building community,” said John Best. “It’s about the people, connecting those who need help with those who have a heart to serve. What we saw here was a tangible example of the parable of the good Samaritan.”

The flood recovery operation in the Fredericton area will officially be finished on June 18.

Ways You Can Help
Pray Please pray that God will continue to provide direction to Samaritan’s Purse, as we respond to people’s needs, share the love of Christ, and serve the church worldwide.		Give A gift to the New Brunswick Flood Relief fund will go to help the recovery efforts of people affected by the St John River flooding. Donate Here.