WESTERNPORT, Md. — On a cool day in June, Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers from Baptist conventions in Maryland/Delaware, New England, West Virginia and North Carolina gathered in Westernport to assist flood victims. Wearing masks and gloves, the team of about 30 men and women worked diligently, dragging ruined household items and shoveling mud from basements. They were finishing the final stages of a three-week deployment, focused on completing mud-out work on 150 homes following massive flooding in mid-May.
“That’s where the water came up,” said Mary, a middle-aged homeowner, pointing to a creek running behind her house. The creek still bubbled, noticeably higher than usual.
Her belongings were scattered across the yard as DR volunteers, led by Kerry Wolford, a member of Mountain City Church in Frostburg, Md., worked to finish cleaning Mary’s basement and prepared to spray for mold remediation.
Richard and Linda Perone, 20-year veterans of DR and members of North Harford Baptist Church in Jarrettsville, Md., had assessed the damage to Mary’s home earlier in the week. They recalled how distraught Mary had been when they first met, but as the volunteers worked, she relaxed. The volunteers listened to her story, encouraged her and spent time talking and laughing with her. By the end of the day, she was smiling, introducing family members and thanking the workers.
Before leaving, Wolford presented Mary with a Bible signed by the entire team. Linda prayed with her, and Mary accepted the Bible with a shy smile, clearly moved by the gesture.
That scenario was repeated at each job site – each family with a unique story.
Linda Perone recounted an encounter with a 93-year-old woman they had helped the day before. The woman, upset about losing her belongings, was overjoyed to receive the signed Bible. “She got emotional. We told her we had something special for her, that we had a Bible, and she was all excited,” Linda said.
“She didn’t even want to put it back in its case,” Richard Perone added. “She said she wanted it right on the table.”
Linda said, “It’s our joy to serve these people.”
Another homeowner described watching the creek rise. “Everything was filled with mud. You can’t get that stuff back. I had so many keepsake items that I’ll never be able to replace,” she said.
One family workers were scheduled to help had recently lost a teenage son. Chris Shutt, a member of New Life Church in Inwood, W.Va., who deploys regularly for DR with her husband John, was able to minister to the boy’s grieving mother. “I held her in my arms and prayed with her,” Shutt said. The team took care of the flood damage, and continued to support her. Chaplains also assisted.
DR chaplain Shirley Black from West Virginia emphasized the importance of listening to victims’ stories. “They want to tell you what happened. You sit with them, listen and just be there. I always pray that, ‘If I’m planting a seed, let me do it well,’” Black said, adding that she relies on the Holy Spirit to go with her.
Maryland/Delaware Disaster Relief led the deployment, with support from volunteers in other states. Bruce Outreach Center in Westernport, Md., hosted the teams and served as the headquarters for the three-week deployment. When the disaster happened, the church was at the forefront in caring for the community, quickly opening its doors to provide shelter, food and other needs.
Volunteers slept on cots in classrooms, ate in the cafeteria and used the office for administrative work. Outside, laundry units ran continuously for both the residents who lost their ability to do laundry and the DR workers, whose clothes were often covered in mud and sweat.
Feeding ministry volunteers began preparing breakfast at dawn, packed grab-and-go lunches, and prepped dinner, while laundry teams kept the washers and dryers going throughout the day. Chaplains prayed over meals and led devotions.
“Whether working hard or ministering to the families, these volunteers are hearty and hard-working, yet gentle and encouraging,” said Incident Commander Al Caho. “We’re the hands and feet of Christ, showing His love as we serve.”
This article originally appeared at BCMD.org.
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