Hot temperatures and high Santa Anna winds whipped into a frenzy of wildfires in California. The results were some of the worse conditions as 880,000 people were evacuated and more than 1,500 homes and business destroyed. Donnie W. Smith, executive director, division of care and Tim Hill, second assistant overseer responded to meet the multiple needs created by the wildfires.
Mark Williams, administrative bishop, California/Nevada Churches of God and David Ramirez, administrative bishop, Southwestern Hispanic Churches of God were contacted. No Churches of God had been lost and no members had suffered loss according to their report. Some members, relatives however had been affected. More churches have been asked to open as evacuee centers to assist with the burgeoning evacuee population. The media in recent days had been concentrating their stories on the wealthy, Hollywood set. The true story however, lies in the fact that most of the evacuees are working class families with little, if any resources for recovery. Any of these families do not have any insurance and their loss is complete and total. The main evacuee center at the stadium appears to have all the resources necessary to assist those in need. The smaller centers, in contrast and many individuals are lacking necessary goods and assistance. Many workers, in addition are without jobs because they worked in the destroyed fire zone. The Division of Care targets these people. Pastor Chuck Keim, in California at Temecula Church of God and president, Circle of Care, is in charge of the meals for evacuees. 950 per day they will average and he is responsible for the procurement, cooking, and serving of the meals at the center. Pastor Keim remarked, “The response from the community has been overwhelming as the number of volunteers continues to rise.” The Chaplain’s Commission, within the Division of Care is ministering to the spiritual needs of the evacuees. They have completed throughout the years extensive training seminars among local church pastors. There is a large group of trained chaplains responding across the disaster area as a result. Operation Compassion has a network of partners quality merchandise has been offered and they are already mobilized to respond. Assistance is extensive in delivering goods to the evacuee centers as well as individuals. New clothing, blankets, beverages, paper products, plastic wear, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies are being shipped. There are in fact several semi truck en route to re supply survivors and the evacuee centers.
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