DISASTER RESPONSE

Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) is continuing work this year at a rebuilding site in Letcher County, Ky., with new builds and repairs of homes damaged during the July 2022 flooding event. 

BDM recently provided the following update: “Last week we attended a dedication of ten homes at Thompson Branch. It was a joy to see so many families with safe, secure housing that will not flood in the future. We will be continuing to work on finishing up those homes and starting a new higher ground community. We are also working on houses that have been raised up out of the flood plain.” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was among those attending the dedication (pictured, with volunteers). 

BDM said it anticipates having openings for individuals or small groups of people throughout the months of June, July and August. If you are available to serve this summer, please contact project leader Lynn Evans at bdmletchercountyky@gmail.com, and they will endeavor to match you up with one of the open spots. “This is a great opportunity to come out and work with people from other areas of the country and to bless the people of Kentucky,” she said. A YouTube video about the site is available at BDM Rebuilding Letcher County, Ky., Project Overview. Illinois/Wisconsin is scheduled to assist with a team in Letcher County Dec. 7-13. A second project site is expected to open later this year.

Elsewhere, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) was requested to serve in St. Louis, in two shelters accommodating survivors of a massive tornado that hit the city on May 16. A CDS team of four volunteers was to spend two weeks providing care for children in the shelters, providing parents and guardians with the assurance that their children are in a safe and supportive environment while they take the time to concentrate on next steps in their families’ recovery, including their own self-care.