Now for the hard part
The death toll for the moment is stationary, but no one will be surprised when it goes up. The homeless are in the hundreds, and those who still have homes but lost furnishings and appliances to the mud and water are multiplied hundreds. For those so directly affected by Saturday's storm, perhaps the worst is over, at least in terms of fear and panic. Perhaps what lies ahead is as bad in its own way for many of them: fear and despair.
For the hundreds of thousands like us (the island population is around 260,000), the storm may have meant little more than mopping up rain water coming in through a broken tile or blown under the door or around the windows. Otherwise there was nothing to do, except sit down and wait it out. Now for the hard part: to get up and work it out.
The storm lasted hours, the next phase will last months. The downtown part of Funchal is still closed down, except for cleaning crews. Our consular services are being handled from home, and the work goes on.
By early Monday morning we had a list of American citizens whose family or friends were concerned because they had heard nothing from them since the storm hit. They contacted the State Department in Washington or the Embassy in Lisbon, and it was up to us to find out if they are indeed here and indeed alive and well. Some cases were resolved fairly quickly; the last two "missing" persons on the list took a bit longer. It was only this afternoon we had confirmation of their whereabouts and safety, but I had been to the morgue this morning to make sure that the unidentified cadaver mentioned in the newspaper was not one of the persons being sought. Thankfully, it was not. (Clarification: I did not have to view the body; it had been identified in the meantime before I got there. Thankfully.)
The Hard Part--for me
Independently of the US aid coming through governmental channels, which I am being asked to help direct to the proper recipients, in accordance with the specific parameters of the aid in question, there is the separate matter of money that has been offered to the church by individuals for distribution in the church's name. In the face of these promised donations, we, as a church, are aware of our responsibility to use such funds wisely and to the glory of God. Strict accounting in their receipt; wise discernment in their distribution. Accountability to God and man.
Designated Funds for Aid
I have asked our treasurer to speak with the bank and determine the most suitable way of handling the funds people feel led to give. This is not an appeal for funds. But if you feel led to give, we will seek in every way possible to use them to aid those in need and demonstrate the love of God shed abroad in our hearts.
As soon as I have specific details regarding the best way for money to be sent, I will provide the necessary information.
Oh, yes... Thanks to all those who sent e-mails and patiently waited a day or two to hear from me. I think I caught up tonight.
For the hundreds of thousands like us (the island population is around 260,000), the storm may have meant little more than mopping up rain water coming in through a broken tile or blown under the door or around the windows. Otherwise there was nothing to do, except sit down and wait it out. Now for the hard part: to get up and work it out.
The storm lasted hours, the next phase will last months. The downtown part of Funchal is still closed down, except for cleaning crews. Our consular services are being handled from home, and the work goes on.
By early Monday morning we had a list of American citizens whose family or friends were concerned because they had heard nothing from them since the storm hit. They contacted the State Department in Washington or the Embassy in Lisbon, and it was up to us to find out if they are indeed here and indeed alive and well. Some cases were resolved fairly quickly; the last two "missing" persons on the list took a bit longer. It was only this afternoon we had confirmation of their whereabouts and safety, but I had been to the morgue this morning to make sure that the unidentified cadaver mentioned in the newspaper was not one of the persons being sought. Thankfully, it was not. (Clarification: I did not have to view the body; it had been identified in the meantime before I got there. Thankfully.)
The Hard Part--for me
Independently of the US aid coming through governmental channels, which I am being asked to help direct to the proper recipients, in accordance with the specific parameters of the aid in question, there is the separate matter of money that has been offered to the church by individuals for distribution in the church's name. In the face of these promised donations, we, as a church, are aware of our responsibility to use such funds wisely and to the glory of God. Strict accounting in their receipt; wise discernment in their distribution. Accountability to God and man.
Designated Funds for Aid
I have asked our treasurer to speak with the bank and determine the most suitable way of handling the funds people feel led to give. This is not an appeal for funds. But if you feel led to give, we will seek in every way possible to use them to aid those in need and demonstrate the love of God shed abroad in our hearts.
As soon as I have specific details regarding the best way for money to be sent, I will provide the necessary information.
Oh, yes... Thanks to all those who sent e-mails and patiently waited a day or two to hear from me. I think I caught up tonight.
posted by EP | 11:08 PM | Permalink
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