Dick and I have supported UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief…for years, but last autumn members of our extended family witnessed how their disaster relief work actually impacts others. We have a niece who lives in Chico, CA. One of her adult daughters is a mental health professional who has worked with children at the Paradise elementary school. And then, she lost her job site. The wildfire in Paradise, known as Camp Fire, destroyed homes, the school and the community. The residents of Paradise evacuated to Chico which is about 14 miles away. Our great niece grieved; she searched among the homeless families for her clients. She found a new place for her individual therapy sessions, and she comforted the children who had their home, their school and their entire community destroyed by a fire. Many of their parents lost their jobs. A few weeks later the families had to move their “replacement tent-homes” because heavy rains would soon flood the Walmart parking lot where many had sought refuge. In late December she lost some of her clients, not because they were over their trauma, but because families had to relocate to other communities, find new jobs and reconstruct their lives. A replacement tent home isn’t permanent, but children seem to be traumatized over and over when families had to move again.
We grieved with her, but it is difficult to offer emotional support over e-mails and Facebook. When I read the December 2018 UMCOR newsletter, I realized that we, and all of us who support UMCOR, had been helping these Paradise families but we just didn’t know it:
“Initial $10,000 solidarity grants from UMCOR are providing immediate relief as planning to support long-term recovery commences. These grants provided for emotional care, gas cards, Tyvek suits, handmade sifters to help families sort through the remains of their belongings, and solar lamps for children.”
The Camp Fire in northern California is the deadliest and most destructive in California history, razing 18,000 structures and killing 86 people. The California-Nevada Conference is assisting survivors as they work to find a new normal….The affected communities are currently being opened in zones, and residents are allowed to return for the first time to sift through their belongings and determine their next steps. They are not doing this alone. UMCOR-trained Early Response Teams are helping residents in this work, and while their physical help is appreciated, ERTs also offer an important listening ear. ERT members are trained to walk beside survivors and offer a ministry of caring, first and foremost.
It is reaffirming to know that the contributions given by our own Christ United Methodist Church in 2018 when combined with contributions of United Methodists throughout the world can make a huge difference in the lives of others. This year we will have another opportunity to share our blessings with others. March 31st is UMCOR Sunday, a time to “pay it forward,” by giving in advance of the disasters which come from floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and fires. When we act together we can accomplish great things for God.
Written by Maylo Hranac, Mission Co-Chair