Greetings followers and supporters,
All of our team are now safely home and getting some much needed rest. You should see wrap-up reports from them here over the next week or so. Keep tuned for details on what they were involved in and what you have assisted with your generous giving, prayers and encouragement.
Sincere thanks,
Dave
It is good to report that the team is now in Singapore and tomorrow (Saturday) will be flying home.
I believe they are quite tired, some with flu, sorry to come away, but satisfied with what they have been able to achieve.
From here on you will be receiving updates from your family and staff members from the team – or from Mark.
Blessings…..
Robin
Dear friends
With a smile on my face I can let you know that Kees and team are heading home coming Sunday!
He wrote from Padang; “Concerning the disaster here we see that the people are now in a phase of restoration and the phase of rescue has finished. Because of that we as rapid response team are not necessary anymore since that is not our mandate. Yesterday we were at a meeting of the UN and there they spoke about long term plans for this area. After the meeting we all agreed to go home”.
We are of course very happy with this news, we are looking forward to be together again and to hear all Kees his stories!
He also wrote he is tired so I’m sure he is going to sleep nicely in his own bed J
He will write you an update as soon as possible.
Please pray for a safe trip home, they start travelling on Saturday (Padang-Singapore and then Singapore-A’dam)
I really want to thank you for all your prayers and support in the past heavy weeks, your prayers carried us through!
Lots of love and blessings,
Miranda Voogd
I had another opportunity to talk with Ed last night. He and the others are doing well. They have added more people to their team, a doctor and a couple of nurses as well as another team that arrived last Friday. Their schedule over the past few days has been gathering supplies from the local hospital in the morning and going out to to find areas that are in need of help – usually about an hour or so away from where they are based. They set up a clinic and treat people as they come. One village they went to was on an outer island and they treated around 100 people. Ed is observing the doctor/nurses and is able to put into practice right away the things he is learning.
One thing that stands out about our friends in the South Pacific Islands is their hospitality and willingness to help out anyone in need. They genuinely take care of one another. We often hear in Fiji, “first time, you’re our guest… second time, you’re family”. They are hard working and will seek out the needs of others to see what they can do personally to help fulfill those needs b/c they see them as family. We would appreciate your continued prayers for our friends there. Many have lost loved ones, homes and even villages. The effects of this tsunami are very real and close to their hearts. They will need continued help to work through all of this.
Today Ed is going out with a few others to clear some debris and help build a house. It sounds like a lot of the work for “first responders” has been taken care of and now they are catering further to the needs of the people as they are able. Most of the RescueNet team members will be leaving this week. Ed is scheduled to return on the 22nd. Thank you so much for your prayers & support! You are just as much a part of the work being done as the hands that are doing it. We really appreciate you!!!
Blessings,
Kelly
The team arrived in Padang today for a time of debriefing since half of the team will head home tonight.
Kees and a few others don’t know yet when to go home, that might be this weekend or next week.
It seems that most of the work for ‘rapid response teams’ has been done, people are now in need for teams to help rebuild there places and counselling.
RescueNet has no means of transport anymore and also their translator had to leave, so they really pray for guidance if they have to stay longer or not.
Kees told me that is has been a ‘strange’ earthquake, one street is completely destroyed while the next one all the houses are fine!
Life is going on, people are cleaning up the rubble but still sleep on the streets out of fear for another earthquake.
Many, many people are traumatised by this experience and are in need for help to work through this trauma!
We would like to ask for your prayers for Kees to make the right decision but most of all to continue to pray for the people of Sumatra.
The disaster seems to be gone, but the people are mourning, traumatised and in need of many material things.
We at home are fine! We miss Kees a lot but we also have a lot of fun with the 3 of us.
This first RescueNet deployment brings up a lot of emotions, but His peace and presence are very real!
Lots of love,
Miranda Voogd
Once again following is the latest news on the team.
‘heading down out of the mountains today – very sorry to do so but happy we’ve done very well and we’re all tired and ready for a shower’.
Short but sweet. One step closer to home!
Blessings…..
Robin
Following is the latest message that has come in from Mark today.
“Gary and Kay went back to Padang. We work with UN looking for IDP’s (internally displaced persons) – assess their need and report it back to the UN. There is MASS trauma so two of the team counsel each day. Today we wait for a US helicopter to bring goods for distribution by us. We plan to go down to Padang Wednesday to debrief then leave for Singapore Thursday, spend Friday and Saturday morning, then fly home.”
Perhaps as the team gets to Padang and/or Singapore we will get more substantial info as they will have access to the internet.
Blessings…..
Robin
I have received another text message from Mark saying that ‘the team is possibly leaving this coming Wednesday. They are all well and longing for a nice shower’.
I think that the key word to note is ‘possibly’. I know that if there is the slightest opportunity for them to be of assistance, they will want to stay – no matter how smelly they are. J Earlier Mark did say that there was mainly ‘secondary wound care’ so if that is the case then it is more likely that they will return home.
As soon as I get further notification, I’ll pass it on to you.
Blessings……
Robin
This morning I received a text message ‘I am able to send you a text!’ J Thank you so much for your prayers!
Kees and his team are more north now in a much damaged village.
They’ve put up their tent next to a mosque and are able to do a lot of work.
All team members are well.
It was a short message but sooooooooooo good!
I’ll let you know when there is more news.
Love and greetings,
Miranda
Latest news from Indonesia,
Thankfully, I received a text message from Mark this morning which means they have mobile reception where the team is located.
Mark advises that they are up in the mountains and damage is bad but the immediate need has lessened so it is now basically secondary wound care only. They plan to stay there for a few days and treat the people and then send out recon teams to try and find other need.
The team is great and they laugh lots. Most are eating and sleeping well. More information soon.
As further updates come, I will forward them on.
Blessings to all………
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