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So far, 46,750 DRS volunteers have responded to 327 different disasters to repair 9,709 homes. Praise God for your contribution to each individual testimony of rebuilt hope! This foundation lives on as we serve homeowners like Jacque and Ron. invite you to read inside about their journeys overcoming storms in Florida and Kentucky. World Renew Disaster Response Services
As DRS responds to disasters across North America, the Director’s Letter could name lots of exciting work being done. Volunteers are finding joy through serving in Mississippi, Florida, Michigan and other states. Homeowners are returning to their homes while overcoming trials like disease and being familial caretakers. There is something new to celebrate every day we participate in disaster response ministry. While we celebrate the new triumphs, I also want to honour the past legacies of this ministry. The work we do stands on more than 50 years of faithful service by normal people motivated by compassion to share God’s love with the world.
Bob Laarman Director Disaster Response Services
Disasters in 2023 caught the nation’s attention as we watched people being ripped away from their homes and communities.
The Nova Scotia flooding, Yellowknife wildfires, and other storms contributed to the fourthworst year for insured losses in Canada. Yet for many North American disaster survivors, 2023 was a year of triumphing over the trials from disaster. These are their stories of finding hope.
repairs, material losses, and more, this financial burden was overwhelming. Still, Jacque asked herself, “What choice do I have?” She pressed on, trying to keep her spirits lifted.
In September of 2022, Hurricane Ian’s 1209.2 km/h winds and 76.2 centimetres of dumped rain took more than 150 lives and caused around $153 billion CAD of building and infrastructure damage. When the Category 4 storm made its way to the Southwest Florida area, Jacque, a Sarasota homeowner, took shelter in a community building.
Six days after the storm subsided, Jacque returned home to find holes in the home’s roof, which she attempted to put tarps over to block water from entering the home. But as the months went on, she found water damage in the home’s subfloors from flooding and rain water. Consequently, the home became uninhabitable from growing mould. Caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s, Jacque needed a safe place to call home. The family eventually found a mobile home to live in, but it cost $542 CAD a week to rent. Between necessary
More than a year after Ian, Jacque was delighted to learn through the radio that volunteers from World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) would be repairing disaster-impacted homes through partnership with the Sarasota Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG)! Soon enough, the LTRG assigned volunteers to begin working on Jacque’s home. With compassionate hearts, volunteers installed new subfloors throughout the home, insulated the walls and ceilings, installed drywall, panelled the walls and ceilings, put up trim, and installed new kitchen and bathroom cabinets! After the repairs, volunteers celebrated this triumph with a Last Nail Ceremony, praising God the final nail had been hammered during the home’s reconstruction! Jacque was grateful to be back inside her home for Christmas, saying, “World Renew renewed my world.”
Meanwhile, a series of EF-4 tornadoes travelled across Kentucky in December of 2021,
taking 57 lives, and resulting in $4.7 CAD billion in damages. In Madisonville, Ron (name changed), a retired homeowner, sheltered in his basement from the storm. The tornado’s strength was frightening, as its 249.4 km/h winds tore up Ron’s house while passing through Madisonville. Afterwards, Ron crawled out of what was left of his house to see his next-door neighbours laying in their yard, dead.
Surviving the tornado was a miracle, but recovering from its shocking path through Madisonville was difficult for Ron. He lost nearly everything but his life. Eventually, Ron bought an undamaged home, trying to recover from the tornado. Yet, the home was lacking in certain areas, like sufficient storage space and a play room for his grandchildren. In partnership with the Hopkins County LTRG, DRS Groups Program volunteers built out the attic walls and installed new closets in Ron’s home, helping him during this transition after the tornado. “I know God protected me from this storm. Thank you for helping me make this new house a home.”
Your support for DRS makes it possible to repair homes like Jacque’s and Ron’s. Thanks to your time, talents, and gifts, we are restoring homeowner’s futures after storms in Christ’s name.
LONG-TERM PROGRAM
Sarasota, Florida
Hurricane Ian (2022)
Boutte, Louisiana (Hurricane Ida, 2021)
Rio Grande Valley, Texas (Severe storms and flood, 2023)
GROUP SITES
Rolling Fork, Mississippi Tornadoes (2023)
New Bern, North Carolina Hurricane Florence (2018)
Floyd County, Kentucky Flood (2022)
