After the Storm

You Are Providing Relief in the Wake of Disasters

After the hurricane passed, David Dejean returned to find his Louisiana home badly damaged, the roof partially collapsed, and his barn completely destroyed. To make matters worse, the high winds took down nearly every tree on his beautiful lot. Without water or electricity, he immediately started to clean up, attempting to salvage his life’s work.

That’s when Hand of Hope, in partnership with God’s Pit Crew, showed up to clear the tress and debris and help Dejean figure out the next steps. Tired, emotional, and still trying to digest the events of the past few days, Dejean was amazed by the love and support.

“I’ve never seen this in my entire life,” Dejean said. “I’m so appreciative and so grateful. Somebody’s looking over me.”

Thanks to you, Dejean is just one of thousands who have received life-changing practical, spiritual and emotional support in the wake of natural disasters in recent months.

In the Eye of the Hurricanes

In a year when COVID-19 had already presented people with so many challenges, Louisiana and the southern United States weathered five hurricanes in 2020—devastating homes and leaving millions without water or electricity.

In response, Hand of Hope partnered with organizations like 8 Days of Hope, God's Pit Crew, Convoy of Hope, Mercy Chefs, South Coast Church and Our Savior’s Church to bring immediate relief to those impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Sally and Delta.

People were instantly in need of the most basic necessities. That’s when Mercy Chefs arrived to do what they do best.

“[People] are stuck in homes that are broken, with no AC and no lights,” Founder Gary LeBlanc said. “We’re here just to share a moment of hope and compassion with people. And we believe that’s a hot meal and cold drink of water.”

And that was just the beginning. Since these hurricanes hit, you have provided more than 200 tons of food, water, hygiene kits, baby products, tarps and critical supplies for families simply trying to pick up the pieces.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest…

Oregon residents were fighting their own battle as wildfires ravaged over 3,200 acres of land, damaging more than 4,000 homes in its path.

Within days, Hand of Hope partnered with Bethel Global Response to put boots on the ground and help people begin the clean-up process. You were there for the families who faced the daunting task of removing the soot and repairing their damaged homes.

Others lost everything and slowly sifted through the ashes, often through tears, looking for cherished valuables. You were there for them, too. To assist in their search and let them know they’re not alone—that God is going to help them, and so are we.

When a disaster strikes, it changes people’s lives at a moment’s notice, and that’s why your support has made such a profound difference. After the storms and fires, when families needed it most, you were there to comfort, protect, rebuild…and show the love of Christ in a very personal way. And they will never forget it.

Our partners have recently made it possible to:

 

• Provide 200 tons of food, water, hygiene kits, baby products, tarps and critical supplies for those affected by Hurricanes Laura, Sally and Delta
• Provide critical relief for families impacted by hurricanes in El Salvador and Honduras
• Clean up homes after the Almeda wildfires in Oregon
• Provide food and assistance after the explosion in Lebanon

 

You can make all the difference! If you’d like to support these and other disaster-relief efforts worldwide, visit joycemeyer.org/DisasterRelief