Tag Archives: volunteer

eBrethren

When God Says Go!

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Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer Ron Hawes (featured above): “I am looking forward to my next BDM volunteer opportunity.”
Photo by Sammy Deacon

By Ron Hawes, Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer from Paxton Church of the Brethren, Atlantic Northeast District

Over the past couple of years, I have wanted to volunteer so I can use my God given skills and my hands to help others. As an introvert, it can be difficult to move out of my comfort zone but earlier this year I had a conversation with Pastor Kirby Dubble at Paxton Church of the Brethren regarding volunteering for disaster missions. After our conversation, I looked on the Brethren Disaster Ministries(BDM) website for a volunteer opportunity this spring but could not find a time to fit my schedule. However, with God’s perfect timing, Pastor Kirby received an email regarding a short-term opportunity to serve in North Carolina in May. I was hesitant at first but when God says go, you go, and I am so thankful I did.

For my first volunteer opportunity with BDM I spent the week of May 11 based in Spruce Pine, N.C., helping to restore a flood damaged house in Green Mountain (about a 35-minute drive from Spruce Pine). The trip was well coordinated and the administrative team at BDM equips volunteers with all the information needed to have a successful trip, including a packing list to ensure that you bring everything you will need.

When I arrived in Spruce Pine at our housing location, I quickly learned how loving and welcoming all the BDM leaders and volunteers are. I cannot say enough about how their humility, caring, joyfulness, and love put my introvert tendencies at ease. The fellowship I experienced throughout the week was amazing. The coordination and leadership of Sammy Deacon and John Mueller was very appreciated.

While on site at the project house, the BDM project leadership team pairs volunteers with a specific job based on what they shared during the registration process. I worked on the plumbing team led by Doug Campbell who provided the instruction needed to successfully complete the tasks to get the house’s plumbing in order. Even if you do not have previous experience or skills, your hands are needed (Matthew 25:34-40) and you will learn new skills.

What I did not realize prior to this volunteer opportunity is how churches of different denominations work together to help restore lives in these disaster areas. The First Presbyterian Church in Spruce Pine blessed us with spaces for overnight accommodations, a kitchen for our excellent BDM household leaders Mary Mueller and Nancy Kopp to make nourishing meals, and the reception hall which provided more than ample space for breakfast, dinner, and fellowship. The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church Disaster Ministries was our rebuilding partner. They provided equipment and building materials for the project as well as guidance on building codes. During the week, we enjoyed fellowship meals with both partners, which allowed for the opportunity to hear stories about how the people in the disaster affected areas were impacted by the flooding.

Please continue to pray for those impacted by flooding, tornadoes, wildfire, and other disasters months and years after they occur. Also pray for the BDM leadership and volunteers as they display God’s love through action. Overall, this experience has left me deeply moved and I am looking forward to my next BDM volunteer opportunity.

This reflection was originally featured in the summer issue of Bridgesproduced by Brethren Disasters Ministries. Learn more about Brethren Disaster Ministries and its volunteer opportunities at www.brethren.org/bdm. Support the volunteers who go when God says “go” at www.brethren.org/giveBDM.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Brethren Volunteer Service

A Declaration of Love

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Coffee Shop conversation

Katie Hampton (left) listening at Abrasevic.

By Katie Hampton

I spent three years and three months (2007-2010) as a BVS volunteer in OKC Abrasevic in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am still discovering all that those three years meant to me, but it is no exaggeration to say that it changed my life.

If I’m being completely honest, sometimes I freak out about the fact that I spent three years not earning/saving any money, or at the very least interning at some international organization which would look good on my resume. I spent a frantic year+ after BVS interning, working and not getting paid, job hunting, etc. During that time, Abrasevic, with its tiny budget, paid me TWICE! I was moved to tears by their solidarity.

But really, I would NEVER take it back. This is who I am. This is how I become who I want to be.

In Abrasevic, the most important thing is to show up and to be present. To talk to people. To make jokes. People are an end in themselves. When Arma stopped being a member of the management team, he spent even more time at Abrasevic than he had before (he had already been there ALL the TIME)—but now he was in the café talking to people, rather than up in his office working. (Nedzad, a longtime volunteer, took on his tasks.) Tina said, when we discussed it, “what’s important is being here; that’s more important than what you do here.”

[[I’m tearing up again thinking about all of them and longing to jump into a car right this minute and visit them!]]

Everyone in Abrasevic has their own artistic dream. Even the waiters are all DJs or musicians or doing street performances or graffiti. People are so supportive of dedication to artistic dreams. We’re always going to the concerts of Mostar bands to hear the same songs and going to the book promotions of Mostar (Abrasevic) poets. I also had a poem published in an Abrasevic literary journal (Kolaps) and showed my videos in the main hall.

One of the main things that I learned in Abrasevic is how important PLACES are for cities. It’s like “a room of one’s own” for urban spaces. It’s essential for Mostar to have an Abrasevic. It’s essential for every city to have neutral urban spaces that encourage people to come together. Like Italo Calvino’s book “Invisible Cities” (which I studied in-depth in a video journalism course at Abrasevic), where Marco Polo tells Kublai Khan the stories of a hundred cities, only to reveal that “all cities are Venice”; now to me, “all cities are Mostar, and must contain an Abrasevic”. When I move to new places, I am always looking for an “Abrasevic”. Of course I can never find another Abrasevic, as it is irreplaceable and unique. But in my life I combine the elements which made Abras so dear to me (solidarity, creativity, espresso) to try to live an Abrasevicy life.

There’s nothing like putting a camera in the hands of a young person. So exciting to see what they come up with. I have to do this again! My life will not be complete unless I can make videos and help young people to make videos! About Roma, skaters, beautiful ramshackle monuments, artists, poets, musicians and activists.

I learned to film and edit video footage.

I also got some experience in grant writing.

I learned about challenges in project design and implementation.

I was so inspired.

I learned about the impact of political conflict on daily life.

I was filled with hope.

– Katie Hampton, BVSer at Abrasevic from October 2007 to December 2010 (currently blogging at www.pilgrimography.com)