Canadian organization volunteering in Waterville

Since July 2, Nova Scotia resident Andy Northup has been the team leader for a “disaster response unit” sent to work in Waterville by the Canadian branch of the Samaritan’s Purse philanthropic organization. With a full-sized semi trailer, the response unit has an office with its own designated phone number and is organized to carry supplies and equipment needed to cope with many types of damage.

 

As leader, Northup has been operating the group’s command center located at Waterville’s Baptist Church along Highway 60. Parked in the church lot are a number of semi-trailer and box truck units supplied by Samaritan’s Purse; each carries supplies to be used as volunteers remove debris and begin the work needed to refurbish flood-damaged homes.

 

In addition to keeping operations running smoothly, he says he presents two “orientation” sessions each day. These are necessary, he explains, because, even though the organization expects to continue operating in Waterville into the beginning of August, various volunteers cycle in as they have time available. His sessions, he describes, help newcomers understand various procedures and protocols while also emphasizing safety.

 

Northup is one of 11 volunteers who drove the group’s equipment down from Canada, where Samaritan’s Purse is based in Calgary, Alberta. He notes there is a United States organization based in North Carolina. He then explains the Canadian group has come at the request of the U.S. organization, which already had response teams at 9 sites across the 48 contiguous states and has since added a tenth in Iowa.

 

Northup states his group was happy to come.

 

“Ultimately, it’s faith based,” he observes. “God loves all people through Christ. We exist to help those in need.”

 

The group brought eight large vehicles in addition to the command trailer parked in Waterville. The remainder are located at Waseca’s Christ Community Church along Fourth Street Northeast. The church is hosting as many as 25 volunteers, including providing some sleeping rooms and a dining hall. Parked nearby are a shower and hygiene trailer, a bunk trailer, and a fully outfitted mobile kitchen, all brought south on July 2.

 

Northup elaborates that the variety of vehicles is useful at remote sites, where Samaritan’s Purse Canada is able to set up a small, self-sufficient village with its own electrical and water supplies.

 

Walter Northup, a mechanical technician with the organization, reiterates that the group is glad to be serving in Minnesota. “We humans are more alike than we are different,” he comments. “In times of crisis, we all need someone to come alongside.”

 

Founded by Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, Samaritan’s Purse has the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) as a “sister” organization. BGEA sends trained spiritual advisors, referred to as chaplains, as spiritual support to both victims and volunteers at crisis sites.

 

Lead chaplain for the Waterville deployment is Kerstin Lehndorf de Dimas. “We empathize. We provide emotional and spiritual support,” she describes, revealing research has found that the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder are lessened when victims have a chance to express their feelings and experiences very soon after tragedy occurs. “When you go through trauma, your brain doesn’t work like normal,” she says. “Trauma is something you can’t prepare for; you’re just thrown into it.

 

“Everyone is at a different spot. We try to be there for them, whatever that ‘spot’ might be.” For those not ready to listen, de Dimas says, “We show the love of God through practical service.”

 

Not everyone staying at Christ Community Church is from Canada, but all are volunteers through Samaritan’s Purse.

 

Volunteer Sue Bayliss, 66, has come from Omaha with Anthony, an intellectually handicapped adult for whom she once acted as a foster parent. Bayliss describes having learned of Samaritan’s Purse only three months ago, but currently being on her tenth deployment. “It does our hearts good,” she says of the work. “People have experienced terrible tragedy, and they are so grateful for what we do. It lifts us up to be here.”