This past weekend was one of the worst times across the United States for tornadoes. Beginning with a line of severe thunderstorms that formed overnight, tornadoes were a threat until early Sunday morning across one half of our nation. One of the worst storms occurred in Mena, AR, a farming community not far from the Oklahoma state line. The line of storms that produced this killer tornado devastated the area as more than 1,000 homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged, more than 22 people were injured and 3 persons were killed.

Almost immediately, Operation Compassion’s disaster network began to move product and supplies into the devastated area. God’s Pit Crew, under the direction of Randy Johnson, has been onsite with scores of volunteers trying to help local survivor’s clean up and remove debris. In addition, the distribution of 3 semis is in process on a daily basis as survivors pick up what they need.

Pastor Kenneth Posey and the Southside Church of God have graciously hosted our disaster site in Mena. They are closest to the damaged area and have been serving hot meals to the survivors and volunteers.

As is the case in most major disasters, the disaster network that Operation Compassion has assembled continues to play a pivotal role in delivering product, supplies and equipment. The charities and agencies involved fulfill a unique role in supplying a disaster site. God’s Pit Crew from Danville, VA is one example. Their semi trailer is outfitted with different types of hand tools from heavy duty chainsaws to smaller rakes and shovels. They can bring in bobcats and other heavy equipment designed to move trees and debris from roads and yards. They can be self-contained as they work through a disaster area for as long as two or three weeks depending on the needs.

Operation Compassion is privileged to work with God’s Pit Crew and is glad they are a part of this network assisting survivors of catastrophic storms. Of course, neither Operation Compassion nor its disaster network could continue to help survivors without the help of its many donors. It takes faithful and consistent donors in order for Operation Compassion to be prepared to move its assets at a moments notice.

Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
Tim Burdashaw, Int’l. Operations Coordinator
Lisa Boen, Int’l. Logistics Coordinator

114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 Office
423.728.3958 Fax
www.operationcompassion.org

HURRICANE GUSTAV:

Gustav came ashore along the Louisiana Gulf Coast cutting a path of destruction almost as wide as the state is itself. While New Orleans was spared the brunt of the storm, Baton Rouge was not as fortunate. Within hours of Gustav’s passing through the area, Operation Compassion was on the move into the area with immediate relief supplies.

Operation Compassion established a disaster relief site with food and water distribution and then expanded to include hot meals and clean-up crews. Volunteers came from all over the country to aid and assist the survivors during this time of loss and confusion.Operation Compassion used our disaster network of partners to help provide for needs. Feed the Children, World Vision, World Emergency Relief, Operation Outreach, Morningstar and God’s Pit Crew, to name o few, joined our efforts to help Baton Rouge and south Louisiana pick up the pieces of their broken lives.

HURRICANE IKE:

Before Operation Compassion and her partners could catch a breath, Hurricane Ike landed on the Texas Gulf Coast bringing more destruction and loss of life than could have been imagined. With more than 50 killed and 300 still missing, homes and businesses along the coast and inland were completely destroyed. Neighborhood after neighborhood was obliterated by the power of the winds and sea surge. In some areas water stood 10 feet deep flooding and destroying everything in its path.

Within hours of Ike’s landfall, Operation Compassion was with their two semis of disaster food and water. Within the first 36 hours, Operation Compassion had served more than 10,000 families. Once again, our disaster relief network partners began to deliver goods and volunteers began to come from all over the country with tools and equipment. Even though power was on in isolated pockets, volunteers and survivors began to clean up the debris. For others, they could only remember what their homes looked like and remember the importance of their finest possessions.

Operation Compassion is still in south Texas working alongside other partners, churches and faith-based groups assisting survivors overcome this catastrophic disaster. So far, Operation Compassion has sent more than 50 semis into coastal Texas for disaster relief.

CARIBBEAN DISASTER:

While the U.S. had two major hurricanes to deal with this summer, the Caribbean witnessed six storms, two tropical storms and four hurricanes. It appeared that each storm began to the east north east of Haiti and Dominican Republic or the island of Hispaniola. The storms would follow one of two paths, either cutting across the island or skirting along the coastlines. Either path wrecked havoc on this highly impoverished island. The storms proceeded to hit Jamaica or bend under Jamaica and then turning into Cuba.

During the past several weeks, Operation Compassion has sent more than 126 semis to the island countries of Jamaica, Haiti and Dominican Republic. At one point, Haiti was reporting that there was not one single bottle of water available in the country. People were actually without any fresh drinking water. Food is always a premium especially in Haiti and many were eating a few ounces of mush each day just to survive.

Thousands of people became homeless overnight as mudslides totally destroyed the little homes perched on the mountainsides. At one point, there were more than 600,000 living out in the open without any shelter at all. Operation Compassion just this last week was able to ship 60,000 tents which will house 120,000 people.

Operation Compassion and its international network of partners have silently and diligently been sending thousands of pounds of disaster relief food, water, clothing and other basic necessities of life. Many items we are sending are often taken for granted or are considered a right in this country. However, in the Caribbean, living from one day to the next is the greatest challenge. Operation Compassion is there to help children, widows, senior adults and single parent families succeed in their challenge.

Please send your donations to or contact:

Operation Compassion
Donnie W. Smith, D.Min., Executive Director of Care Division
David Lorency, President
Tim Burdashaw, Int’l. Operations Coordinator
Lisa Boen, Int’l. Logistics Coordinator

114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 Office
423.728.3958 Fax
www.operationcompassion.org