By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent

COLUMBIA, Md.—Ellen Udovich, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D)’s missionary for disaster relief, lay mobilization and senior adults, said her phone rings throughout the day with calls from BCM/D churches anxious to go to Haiti to help the victims of the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan 12. Though well meaning, Udovich said now is the time for praying and giving, but not quite the time to go, with the exception of medical teams which are currently on the ground.

“We’re trying to set up the infrastructure to facilitate teams going down to help,” Udovich said. Right now, Haiti’s government is requesting that no one come to assist unless they are affiliated with groups that already have a presence in Haiti, such as the International Mission Board (IMB), North American Mission Board, Global Response, the Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse and other such organizations.

When the “go” is given, Udovich said they’ll need a wide variety of workers, including building assessors, construction crews and chaplains. Teams will work alongside Haitian churches to meet the needs and minister where needed.

According to the IMB, short-range plans will focus on providing relief supplies including food, water and medicine. Mid-range plans involve spiritual help and counseling of survivors and supporting Haitian Baptist congregations. Long-range plans will focus on a prayer emphasis and continued church planting.

Those interested in participating in relief and recovery efforts are encouraged to get disaster relief training. The upcoming training schedule will be posted on the BCM/D website.

Udovich said one of the most effective ways to help the people of Haiti is to donate relief money. For information about donating, see http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com.

Churches can also provide hands-on help by filling BGR buckets of hope. Each five-gallon bucket is packed with selected food that will provide enough for a Haitian family for a week. Filled buckets can be taken to the Baptist Mission Resource Center’s storage area no later than March 15. The buckets will be transported to Florida, then to Haiti.

For more information about BCM/D disaster relief efforts, see, http://www.bcmd.org.

By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent

COLUMBIA, Md.—When disaster strikes, Southern Baptist volunteers are on the scene manning feeding units, doing “mud-outs,” repairing roofs, using chain saws to cut through debris, doing laundry, helping with communication needs and an assortment of other tasks. Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) disaster relief units have an exciting new component—a chaplain/crisis care unit. Now, when a disaster relief team is deployed, the unit goes too, providing spiritual support and counseling so desperately needed in times of crisis.

“This will allow for crisis intervention related to disasters both locally and nationally. Having the unit at the site will provide opportunities to evangelize and will open doors for us to share the gospel,” Mike Hayden said. Hayden is BCM/D’s chaplain unit leader and chaplain trainer.

BCM/D disaster relief missionary Ellen Udovich said having chaplains onsite will be a huge asset to the disaster relief teams and that workers are excited at having that resource.

In addition to disaster relief support, the new unit has the additional benefit of being available for churches to use for community outreaches such as block parties, health fairs and other events.

Hayden said using the unit at these types of ministries is a great opportunity to let the community know Christians care for them and are here to listen to them.

“Each of us needs to look for ways to reach out to our community. What better way than to let the community know we are here to listen to them and to meet their needs,” Hayden said.

The unit, a large trailer, has a central area that can accommodate several people for counseling or be used as a waiting area. It also has two small rooms that can be used for counseling or offices and it’s equipped with a DVD/VCR player, Christian videos, Bibles and crisis materials. The unit is designed to be a self-contained base for the chaplains. In addition to radios and communication equipment, there is a small restroom and convertible sleeping space. Depending upon the situation, the trailer might be a temporary crisis care site where people can seek assistance. In other cases, the chaplains might walk through the community, staying in touch with the base and each other by way of radio.

The Baltimore Association (BBA) owned the trailer for ten years. It was once utilized for logistics, but had fallen into disuse. George Blevins, director for disaster relief ministry for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) and for the BBA, considered selling the trailer, but after a discussion with Hayden, the two men got the vision for the new ministry, prayed about the possibilities and felt God leading them to go forward.

Hayden led a devotional time and dedication prayer for the unit during the annual BCM/D fall disaster relief training. Volunteer disaster relief workers, many newly trained, laid hands on the trailer as Hayden prayed, asking God’s blessing and direction in the use of the unit.

Hayden said pastors and lay leaders can serve as volunteer chaplains. He plans to begin enrolling for training beginning this month.

The trailer now resides at Middle River Church and is available for church use. For more information about using the trailer call George Blevins (443) 271-4004. For information about chaplain training call Mike Hayden, (443) 966-3995. For general disaster relief information, call Ellen Udovich, (443) 250-2555.

By Ellen Udovich, BCM/D Missionary for disaster relief

DUNDALK, Md.—The BCM/D Disaster team was on the scene in Dundalk last month just days after a six-foot-wide water main broke, on Sept. 18, flooding local communities. Water rose to car handles. A section of Broening Highway collapsed. People were shocked. Their cars and homes flooded, they had no electricity. Some were trapped in their homes for some time as they watched the water rise. Roads were closed.

Disaster Relief in Dundalk

George Blevins, BCM/D Disaster Relief director and Mike Hayden, Disaster Relief Chaplain team leader, met with the American Red Cross and the Baltimore County incident command to determine what role local churches could help with in assisting families affected by the flooding.

On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20, church volunteers as well as trained Disaster Relief volunteers from local churches including First Church, Dundalk, Middle River and Patterson Park Church, gathered at the Red Cross mobile command center set up in the Logan Village Shopping Center directly across the street from the broken water main. The Red Cross provided a list of all the homes damaged by the floodwaters. The volunteers divided into teams and went door-to-door with the Red Cross lists, checking on each family and offering to assist with cleaning out basements, carrying damaged items out of the homes and other such services.

Other volunteers wheeled coolers filled with ice and bottled water up and down the affected streets and alleys offering cold drinks and encouragement to residents and workers. Since most houses were without electricity, the cold water was especially appreciated.

Some workers remained at the Red Cross trailer and helped distribute cases of water and cleaning supplies to residents in need. As the supplies were given out, volunteers asked, “How can I pray for you?

“Every person we encountered gave specific prayer requests and allowed us to pray for them, some even reaching out to take our hand or hug us,” Blevins said.

The following week, Blevins once again met with the Baltimore County emergency planners. Since many people had lost hot water heaters, washers and dryers in the flooding, the response center was receiving requests for laundry assistance.

Blevins contacted First Church, Upper Marlboro, and requested the deployment of their Disaster Relief laundry unit. (This laundry unit also served in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and Houston following Hurricane Ike). The laundry trailer was moved up to Dundalk and was set up at the Waters Edge Community Center. Baltimore County Department of Public Works assisted by connecting the laundry trailer to the fire hydrant and public sewer system. The laundry trailer is equipped with four washers and dryers, as well as tables for folding clothes. The equipment ran off of propane as well as gasoline generators. During the five days the laundry unit operated, volunteers from First Church, Upper Marlboro, Taneytown Church, Middle River Church, First Church, Dundalk, Linthicum Church and Patterson Park Church, served in shifts, completing 91 loads of laundry. Some families brought clothing and bed sheets still damp from the floodwater. Families without cars walked several blocks to bring laundry, with children lugging bags of clothing alongside their parents.

The volunteers made a special effort to encourage the families they served and struck up friendships with several neighbors. One particular young man who lived nearby came over daily to help the volunteers, mostly women, move the generators and propane tanks in and out of the trailer. He began to share his story and listened as his new friends shared their stories. At the end of the week, he offered his contact information to the team so that they could connect him to a local church.

By Baptist Press Staff

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—The North American Mission Board has many opportunities for you or your church to serve in short-term missions. The Bridge (www.thebridge.namb.net) is an online volunteer/project management system where missionaries and churches post missions opportunities and volunteers find places to serve.

Here are some ways to serve:
Operation Noah Rebuild is a partnership between New Orleans’ area associations and churches, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board. Skilled and unskilled workers are needed to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Visit www.OperationNoah.net for more information.

Wondering how you can leave a legacy of missions to your children and grandchildren? How about a mission trip for the whole family? Families on Mission is a pre-packaged, week-long family mission opportunity that allows everyone to be on mission together. Visit www.namb.net/fom or email fom@namb.net for more information.

Every year, Baptist Builders respond to hundreds of requests for church construction assistance. Visit www.namb.net/bbuilders or e-mail volunteers@namb.net.

If you like the open road, Campers on Mission is your highway to spiritual fulfillment. Campers on Mission is a national fellowship of Christian campers who combine their love of the outdoors with ministry in North America. Ministry opportunities are posted at www.TheBridge.namb.net. Visit www.namb.net/CampersonMission to find out how you can join these active volunteers.

Southern Baptists are the third-largest provider of disaster relief services in North America. State Baptist conventions have trained more than 85,000 volunteers to respond to national and international disasters. To find out how you can join this volunteer force, contact your state Baptist convention disaster relief office. Also visit www.namb.net/dr.

World Changers offers pre-planned, pre-packaged, week-long mission projects for junior high and high school students, where you and your team help fix up homes and serve low-income communities in many ways. As you serve, you’ll have opportunities to share the love of Christ and tell others how He’s transformed your life and wants to transform theirs! Visit www.World-Changers.net.

PowerPlant is a pre-packaged student mission experience that involves and educates students in church planting and evangelism. During a project, students are placed on ministry teams to work alongside a church planter. Visit www.Power-Plant.net to find out how you can participate in this amazing ministry.

Student Mission Groups: Throughout the United States and Canada, hundreds of Southern Baptist ministries need your help. You can find project needs in North America by visiting www.TheBridge.namb.net. Need help planning the trip? You’ll find free resources to assist you in planning the perfect trip at www.StudentMissionTrips.net.

Provided by the North American bureau of Baptist Press in Alpharetta, Ga.