UPDATE ON MUDSLIDE IN WASHINGTON

 

 

UPDATE ON MUDSLIDE IN WASHINGTON STATE

 

 

 

 

From Jim Truitt:

 

 

Here's what I know as of this morning:

• Mother nature still seems to be doing what she does best and is taking care of things herself. The river has cut a new channel, the water is flowing in a well behaved manner and has rejoined the river bed down stream. This dramatically reduces the probablility of a catastrophic release of water and consequent flooding.
• They are still calling this the rescue/recovery phase while they look for survivors and those that didn't make it.
• As we have seen in almost all disasters, there are more unaffiliated volunteers (SUVs) than the communities can handle. They turned away many of them yesterday and have put roadblocks on the roads leading into Darington. Only registered and specialized volunteers are being allowed in the slide area.
• There have been no requests for ERT type assistance. Based on the information I have from the media, emergency agencies, people on the ground in Arlington and the VOAD, it is unlikely we will be asked to send ERTs into the area. If we are asked to respond, it will not be any time soon.

I know you are anxious to help. So am I. But, they don't need our support right now. They need people with search and rescue training, heavy equipment operators, chain saw operators, and dog teams.

Ok, so you and I can make a donation right? Yes we can. Please make it a monetary donation and not clothing or household goods. As we often see donations of goods are already creating a problem. The survivors and those affected by the slide need money for the essentials of life - food, gas, utility bills, lodging, etc. They don't need a toaster right now.

 

You can make a donation to the PNW Disaster Relief Fund by sending a check to:
PNW Conference Treasurer
PO Box 13650
Des Moines, WA 98198
If you want your donation to be used only for this event, put Oso Mudslide on the memo line.

Please keep all of those impacted by the mudslide in your prayers.  

Jim
 

To respond to this message, click umvimdisasterresponse@comcast.net


NEWS ON MUDSLIDES IN WASHINGTON STATE; FUTURE TEAMS/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES; CHILE GATHERING

 

After Mudslide

 

Before Mudslide


 

NEWS ON MUDSLIDES IN WASHINGTON STATE

 

 

Reported by Jim Truitt, UMVIM ERT Conference Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Conference (umvimdisasterresponse@comcast.net):

 

Here's what I know as of this morning:

• Mother nature seems to be doing what she does best and is taking care of things herself. The river has topped the mudslide dam and is cutting a new channel. The water is flowing in a well behaved manner and has rejoined the river bed down stream. This dramatically reduces the probablility of a catastrophic release of water and consequent flooding.
• No homes downstream of the mudslide have been damaged thus far. Upstream there are 7 homes with water up to the eaves. 
• The town of Darington is cut off from the outside world. There is no road access, communications are down, and I'm not sure about power.

Here's what I've done in addition to notifying you:

• I have sent emails to the pastors at Arlington, Stanwood and Darington to let them know we are available when they need us. I have not heard from any of them so far.
• I have notified the Washington State VOAD and EOC that we have ERTs available when needed. The VOAD will work with the Snohomish County EOC to determine what support they need and when. Our partners on VOAD are communicating with each other to make sure we all know what we're doing or can do. I've had an offer from Catholic Community Services to join forces for muck-out and clean up if needed.
• I have kept George Abrams and Stan Norman informed so the Disaster Response Team is fully aware of our actions.
• I have talked to Rev. Daniel Foster, the Puget Sound DS, and informed him of our actions thus far.

There's not much we as ERTs can do right now. We can't respond until the Emergency/rescue phase is over and they say it's safe to enter. Looking at the pictures of the landslide, it appears it will be quite some time before 530 is open to traffic. In the meantime, I encourage you to be prepared to respond on short notice.

FUTURE TEAMS/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES

 

 

Honduras:  May 23-May 31, 2014.  Medical mission to Limon, Honduras needs physicians, PAs, NPs, RNs, and other medical professionals.  Others are welcomed to assist with Bible stories and crafts.  For more information, please email Lou Altman at laaltman@netscape.net

 

 

  

Kenya:  July 11-18, 2014.  Medical mission needs medical and non-medical persons.  For more information, please email Lynn Renne at Irenne@aol.com

 

 

 

  

Russia:  June 12-25, 2014.  LAVIM Mission to Ekaterinburg, Russia.  Construction and Bible School during week in  Ekaterinburg.  1-1/2 days in Moscow and 1-1/2 days in St. Petersburg.  For more information, please contact James Gillespie at wgilles293@aol.com 

 

 



 

 

 

CHILE GATHERING

 

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about mission work in Chile and/or to celebrate the wonderful ministry that is in Chile, please attend the Chile Gathering in Santa Cruz, CA, Sept. 5-7, 2014.  If you are interested, please contact Beryl and Stan Moore at chile-gathering@cox.net.


A SHOT OF UMVIM WJ BY THE NUMBERS - CAL-NEVADA CONFERENCE; VOLUNTEER IN LIBERIA; ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING; NO MALERIA FUNDRAISER

 

BY THE NUMBERS

CAL-NEVADA CONFERENCE

 

 

 In 2013, the Cal-Nevada Conference UMVIM volunteers included 54 teams, 520 participants, 112 congregations, served in 14 countries and accounted for 3200 days of service!!!  Congratulations to the Cal-Nevada Conference for being such an amazing witness to God's love through UMVIM!!

 

 

TEAM TO GANTA HOSPITAL - LIBERIA

 

 

Medical VIM Team for Liberia, November 1-15, 2014.  The Oklahoma United Methodist Conference Volunteers in Mission is planning for a medical team to go to Ganta United Methodist Hospital, Liberia from November 1-15, 2014. The goal of the team will be to work with the health professionals at the hospital and to observe Community Based Primary Health Care at the Nenhwaa Project that serves 110 communities in the region.

 

All are invited but dentists, family practitioners/internists, nurses, and surgeons are particularly welcome. Cherian Thomas, M.D. from the Kingswood Institute of Mission will coordinate and accompany the team.  For more information please contact Lori Foster at lfoster@okumc.org.

 

 

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING - MARCH 30, 2014

 

 

 

One Great Hour of Sharing will take place on March 30, 2014.  Please contribute to this vital offering which secures UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) administrative costs thus allowing 100% of your donations to go directly to the designated funds.  For more information, please visit www.umcor.org.

 

 

IMAGINE NO MALERIA FUNDRAISER

 

 

 

World Malaria Day Dinner

 

Join us for an Imagine No Malaria Interactive Dinner Experience hosted by the community of St. Paul's United Methodist ChurchSunday, April 27, 2014
3 pm - 8pm
Elks Club, San Bernardino
2055 Elks Drive, 92404

Tickets are $40 per person
RSVP (909) 889-3609
Ask about sponsorship opportunities and full table reservations

 

 

 





VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BRAZIL MEDICAL BOAT TEAM; SERVE IN FIJI; ALASKA NEEDS SKILLED VOLUNTEERS; PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE TO RECEIVE 120 YOUTH

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MEDICAL BRAZIL BOAT TEAM

 

 

 

Four team members are still desired to fill a team to serve in Manaus, Brazil on the Wesley Medical Boat on the Amazon River. No medical experience is needed.  The dates for this mission July 10-20, 2014.  If you are interested please contact Don Skillman at donskillman24@gmail.com.  Families and youth are welcome!!!!!

 

 

 

SERVE IN FIJI AS A VOLUNTEER

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteers are needed to serve in Fiji at the Methodist Church Navuso Farm an agricultural project.  Volunteers typically serve for 10 days.  Youth are welcome with a chaperon/parent!  If you are interested please contact Viri Batiratu at vsbyou@yahoo.com or 916.756.7280.

 

 

 

ALASKA NEEDS SKILLED VOLUNTEERS

 

 



 

 



 



June 2 - September 15 looking for 14 team of 12 members each that are skilled in the areas of construction, plumbing, electricians, and carpentry.  FEMA will pay for round trip airfare and the state will provide food and housing.  Additionally, FEMA will provide the tools!  If interested please contact Jim Truitt at umvimdisasterresponse@comcast.net.

 

 

 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE TO RECEIVE 120 YOUTH IN MISSION

 

 

Pacific Northwest Conference will be receiving a team of 120 youth from the Dakotas who will engage in a Seattle Immersion Experience and serve at several local mission project sites in the Seattle area.  If you are interested in taking a youth group to also experience this mission opportunity please contact Ronda Cordill at r_cordill@hotmail.com.

 

 

CAMBODIA EYE CLINIC TEAM FROM CAL-NEVADA FEB. 2015

 

 

 

Cambodia Eye Team will be serving in February 2015.  Volunteers must come from the Cal-Nevada conference.  If you are interested please contact Phil Bandy at philb@calnevumc.org.