One Disaster Relief Unit tractor-trailer has arrived in Abbotsford, and another has just arrived in Merritt as our volunteer teams prepare to help hundreds of flood victims in British Columbia.
“Our hearts go out to the people of these communities; many of them are coming home to find their possessions and basements soaked with muddy water,” said Brent Davis, Samaritan’s Purse’s director of Canadian ministry projects.
“The need is great, especially with more bad weather predicted for the near future. That’s why we’re going to Abbotsford and Merritt, to help in Jesus’ Name.”
Generous partners like you have made it possible for Samaritan’s Purse to respond to this deployment that may last for several months. Your prayers and support continue to be critical to meet this need.
“The need is great, especially with more bad weather predicted for the near future. That’s why we’re going to Abbotsford and Merritt, to help in Jesus’ Name.”
Disaster Relief Units (DRUs) are outfitted with disaster recovery equipment including generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear for volunteers. They also serve as volunteer coordination centers, and are equipped with a self-contained office, communications system, and other supplies.
“We’ve had a lot of people eager to help, but not sure how,” said Jonathan Giesbrecht, executive pastor at Abbotsford’s Northview Community Church. Northview is serving as home base for one of the DRUs.
“Disaster relief is what Samaritan’s Purse does, so this is a partnership made in heaven.”
Each DRU has a toll-free phone number. As the number is publicized, people phone in asking for help. We give those assignments to teams of volunteers—many of them from local churches—who work under an experienced leader.
The volunteers remove waterlogged furniture and other household items, then strip away soaked flooring, drywall, and insulation. Finally, they spray the affected areas with a mold-fighting spray, leaving the flooded areas safe and ready for repair.
All of this work is done at no cost to the homeowner. When the work finishes, the volunteers sign a special Bible and present it to the homeowner as a gift of hope. The teams also offer to pray with homeowners. In this way, we follow the Lord’s command to “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, ESV).
Please pray for the people of southern British Columbia and for our volunteers as they minister in Jesus’ Name. And please know that you make this vital Kingdom work possible through your prayers and support.
Help Samaritan's Purse respond quickly to victims of disasters within Canada, providing not only physical assistance as people clean up and rebuild after floods, fires, and other disasters, but also emotional and spiritual support in the aftermath of tragedy.