We experience a deep joy when we have the opportunity to go to the most isolated and hard-hit areas that are not receiving help. We feel this exudes the heart of a loving Papa God who chases after us, no matter where we are or what has happened. His love reaches us and He knows our address. Donate here.
August 1st was our first full day on the ground in Kentucky bringing relief to families and communities that suffered through devastating floods reaching up to 12 feet of water in certain areas.
Our trained disaster relief teams made assessments for relief operations. They will begin cooking hundreds of meals tomorrow and meeting urgent needs. Consider getting involved so we can help as many people as possible. www.criout.com/donate
Historic torrential rains and flooding have led to 25 deaths in rural Kentucky as water washes away homes from their foundations in the Appalachian region. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has called the situation a state of emergency citing one of the worst floods in the state’s history, has asked for financial resources, and asked the National Guard to assist with rescue operations.
Reports include up to 12 feet of water in some parts of Eastern Kentucky. As the National Weather Service calls for more rain in the forecast, one Christian ministry is organizing to bring relief, aid, basic needs, and more to the least lost and forgotten.
“These communities really need it,” explained Sean Malone, Director of Crisis Response International based in Blue Ridge, VA. Malone explained that most of the flooding and people hurting are in remote, low-income areas, small country towns, mostly elderly and away from help and resources including towns like Wayland, Langley, Allen, Topmost, Honeybush, and Left Beaver.
“We’re going to lean into this, but flooding is tough, you can’t get in right away, but these communities that we are talking about, the waters have receded and the need is great,” explained Malone as the sent out teams this morning to the flooding zones.
Responders are invited to fly into CRI’s ministry base camp in Virginia and make the 4-hour drive and bring resources with them including tools, mobile kitchen supplies, and more.
While most relief organizations go to the bigger cities and that leaves the poor and rural communities to get relief last, CRI is going to help anywhere it’s needed.
“We’re going to go to the forgotten, the underserved, we’re going to bring the kingdom of God, the love of Jesus, we’re going to see people touched with God’s power,” explained Malone.
The ministry is scheduled to load trailers Sunday morning and roll out with teams to help aid homeowners with muck-outs, prayer, food, and other needs. CRI has established contacts on the ground to organize a basecamp as its network of thousands of responders answers the call to go.
Trained responders sign up to go here.
About CRI:
CRI trains individuals and churches to meet the unique spiritual, physical, and emotional needs that arise in urgent times of crisis and disaster. After training, volunteers are screened, credentialed, and become eligible for deployment to relief operations around the world. We highly recommend attending the next Boot Camp to become a disaster relief volunteer with us or take our online training here.
There’s a place for you to serve at CRI! Every day we see ordinary people just like you take the step of faith and say “Yes” to God’s call to “Go!” Getting involved in disaster relief missions will change your life. Take a step of faith and watch what God will do. Learn about specific ways you can get involved in crisis response work today.
Ukraine Response: Wave 13 & 14 Open!
7.7 million Ukrainians remain displaced inside of their home country, while another 13 million are estimated to be stranded in affected areas and unable to leave. We have found that many who have been left behind are the elderly or disabled. Millions are still in need of food, shelter, and lifesaving assistance. RESPONDERS ARE NEEDED to bring good news into the harvest!
Despite the dangers, Christian missionary group continues relief efforts crossing into Ukraine with help, supplies and most importantly the gospel
“We want to get the word of God into the hands of the people of Ukraine along with practical aid in food, clothing, supplies and chaplaincy counseling,” said Sean Malone, Director of Crisis Response International (CRI) in a recent video update for their network of 12,000 disaster relief missionaries.
Now organizing their 14th “wave” of responders into Ukraine, the ministry says they are in it for the long haul, as long as their supporters and responders keep partnering.
“The situation is dire, and the needs are real. Families have been torn apart. Businesses have been closed, homes have been lost. This is a crisis of epic proportions,” said Malone.
The ministry based in Blue Ridge, VA has designed a framework and process to plug trained workers into their work reaching people in crisis with the gospel and with practical help. Despite the dangers, the ministry’s network of responder continue signing up and obeying Jesus’s call to “go.”
“We love seeing ordinary people step out of their comfort zone and serve others in missions work. God shows up in amazing ways, and meets people right where they are at”
To continue building the pipeline of trained volunteers, CRI has made available their online training and in-person disaster relief training to mobilize as many volunteers as possible to aid in this effort in the Ukraine.
CRI’s relief work in Ukraine includes medical, orphan care, food pantry, supply distribution, ministry to widows and the elderly, prayer and worship, and rebuilding space and homes for those who’ve experienced loss.
“We’re here because we love God and want to share that love with others. We also want to give practical aid to those who are in need. We want to answer Jesus’ call to go into all the world with the gospel. Crisis provides an opportunity for people to hear and an openness to Christ,” said Sean Malone.
Now feeding over 400 people a day, along with hygiene, audio Bibles in Russian and Ukraine, CRI is putting action to their faith and calling believers every where to join them.
This obedience has positioned CRI responders in major disaster zones since 2007 including Hurricane Katrina, Iraq, Philippines, and more.
“We want to be in the right place at the right time,” said Malone. “It’s why we make prayer a central part of our work at our base in Blue Ridge, VA.”
For those who want to put their faith into action, the ministry has designed a number of ways to be involved in disaster relief missions and put faith into action including their training, mission’s base staff and volunteers, online training, and partnership opportunities.
About CRI
Founded in 2007, CRI has grown into a leader in Christian disaster response missions. Based in Blue Ridge, VA we train and mobilize thousands of volunteers a year who say “yes” to the call of God to “go” reach the harvest in crisis.
Ukraine �� p8 uhRelief – May 14 Update from Crisis Response International on Vimeo.
CRI teams of disaster relief missionaries continue to bring hope to Ukraine and reach the harvest in crisis.
