[revival-fire] China - OFH Update Chengdu 052108

******* REVIVAL FIRE!!! *******

Wednesday 5/21 update . . . Laura

Hey All,

If you have been watching the news then you have seen what we are up against here. The government of China is doing an amazing job but the specter of 5 million homeless looms over all that is being done. I spent the day on an assessment team. That meant that we went into refugee camps in the hardest hit areas to assess their needs. We started with the leaders of the cities and camp, then did a short inspection tour. We found things to be very orderly but the needs are beginning to mount. Food and water seem to be on hand but there is a lack of fresh vegetables. That need is being worked on. Many needs are being worked on. With resources stretched thin it is hard to make additional arrangements for children orphaned by the quake. The orphans in camps are with people willing to help. I wish I could say more. There is a real need that we could fill. I'm glad Trudy wasn't here. We would never get her out of the camps. She loves babies.

There are many other needs in the camps that are being addressed by citizens near and far. At OFH, we are trying to get a full truck load of materials together; rolls of heavy duty plastic, antibiotics, rubber gloves, chlorine bleach and other essentials. Hopefully, the truck will be on the road in 4 days. In addition to the truck, I have also decided to invite many of the interns to come up and serve here. They have so much to offer. In addition to their fluent English they are grounded and have the heart to hear and help those that are hurting. Please lift this up. I don't want to kid anybody. This is a pretty expensive proposition but well worth the investment. Tomorrow I will be hunting an apartment to put people up.

In addition to the local help we have heard from many groups around the world that want to help and I happen to be in a place where I should be able to get the right people in touch with one another. You know what that makes me? A fish out of water. I'm best at simple tasks; strong back, weak mind. This is the kind of stuff that takes a dynamic charismatic guy. I'm more the "Kiss my grits. I'll do it myself," kind of guy. I really need help to make myself understood without stepping on my tongue. The folks that are leading the group here in Chengdu are dedicated, busy and overworked. Things are coming together but at every turn new challenges and dimensions to the problem arise.

Today we learned that there are many people that could not make the walk out of the mountains; orphans, injured and those too old to walk for eight hours over broken terrain. Helicopters are making supply drops but medical teams and others are not able to reach everyone. I'm half hoping to get on an extreme team and make the hike in if teams are put together for that. Actually, I'm kind of hoping for the enduro motorcycle team. Dream big I always say.

There are responses coming in to me from all over; CCBC buddies, folks that I have met at conferences, family and friends from every body we've ever attended. Thank you and please don't stop. Especially don't stop lifting us up and responding as he leads.

My son Greg is trying to make his way out here. He had planned to come to visit and then the earthquake hit. He is still at CCBC but he and I believe he is called to Chengdu. I really need him and his skills. His Chinese is very good. He gleaned a lot during the Tsunami relief in Thailand. His forte is kids and every camp we saw needed help with kids except one that had volunteers from our group. Please keep the group's volunteers lifted. Many of them are sleeping in the camps. One team packed supplies into the foothills and then joined a camp. They have done nothing but dig toilet pits and play with kids since. It is awesome to see the response of the body. We mix and mesh with all that are here and you can see the difference.

I'm so tired that my eyes feel like they are frying. The day was long and draining but we really did good work. The boss blessed. Tomorrow a lot of decisions have to be made. I am doing my best to stay out of the boss's way and let him work. I just taught a couple of Sunday's ago that we are not given a spirit of fear but of hope, power and a sound mind. I have tremendous hope in the future for the people in this area. I can see doors opening and being propped open like never before. I see the power of a few committed to what has been set before them despite the overwhelming scope of their vision. I seek that sound mind that will help me make the decisions that best serve those here. Thank you for keeping all that we do here lifted. There is far more to what is going on here than meets the eye. In the vine, Tim