Hope in Hawke’s Bay
A few weeks ago, ACN team member Dale drove a van of donations down to the flood damaged regions in the Hawke’s Bay as part of our work with Convoy of Hope. You can read about Dale’s experience below. You can find out more about helping in the region here.
“There's nothing quite like seeing with your own eyes. It's one thing to see the damage on the news, or on social media. And yes, the act of pulling together an Auckland-wide church response made me feel a part of it.
But none of this prepared me for the experience of seeing with my own eyes.
As I drove through Esk Valley and saw the houses buried, displaced or destroyed, the abandoned vehicles overturned, caught in trees or fence lines, the vineyards and orchards ruined by silt, and the soiled fruit, what I was really seeing was the obliteration of generations of livelihoods.
It was so humbling - and strangely encouraging - to meet with at least some of the pastors and church leaders we are partnering with through Convoy of Hope (AUS).
Sam from Bay Vineyard assisting with temporary accommodation, Andy from Engage church gathering resources and getting a mobile repair trailer going, Bruce from the Elim church getting stuck in and offering support, and the amazing efforts of Jewel, Mike and the Man Up team from Destiny church whose output has been astounding in terms of houses and orchards cleared, people helped and resources gathered.
This area will not be the same, ever.
Difficult work lies ahead as the government restores roading and makes decisions on where rebuilding can (and can't) happen, and as insurance evaluations take place. Meanwhile, there is a lot of money needed and a lot of people that need places to live.
Going forward, we are calling for churches to give money or caravans for temporary accommodation. The area is starting to feel a bit forgotten. But the church is networked and working to help for the long haul. Let's keep them in our hearts and minds, and let's keep giving as the Lord enables us to do so.” - Dale
