Six months after fires, need is still great for church help in recovery

By RICK MONROE

“Time never heals - only God,” said one of the workers assisting in the local fire recovery.

The six-month anniversary of the devastating fires in San Diego County is at the end of this month and churches in the area continue to play a major role in the recovery.

Pastors and relief workers gathered on March 11 for a meeting to review fire recovery information and planning.

The basic theme of the meeting was that the needs are great and more help from churches is needed.

Almost 3,000 properties in San Diego County were devastated in October and November, 2003 by the Cedar, Paradise and Otay fires. Seventeen men, women and young people lost their lives in Lakeside and Valley Center, and thousands of families are now beginning the long and challenging road to recovery and rebuilding.

Kevin Cox of Hope Crisis Response Network, a non-denominational organization based in Northern Indiana, moderated the March 11 meeting. He has served in numerous disaster recovery projects, including the last five months here.

“When the emergency first happened, the church responded in a great way, but now many of the workers are tired – burned out – and some are pulling out. This is a long-term project, 5-7 years, maybe 10 years, but it’s something the church has to do. It’s our responsibility to rebuild the community, and as we do it revival will happen.”

“Our Lord came not to be served, but to serve,” he added. “The church needs to provide leadership.”

About 20 pastors attended the March meeting and reports were given about each of the 12 fire areas - Alpine, Crest, Descanso, Harbison Canyon, Julian/Cuyamaca, Lakeside/Wildcat Canyon, Peutz Valley, Poway, Ramona, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, and Valley Center.

Conditions were similar in many areas, though some were further along in clean-up efforts.

Some areas are still without water and laundry service was a problem in several areas.

Several speakers shared about the many fire victims who were without insurance or underinsured.

Others told about importance of being there for emotional support. One pastor said he parks his motor home in an area and people just come and talk. “After 6-7 contacts, maybe you’ll just touch someone on the shoulder and they will break down.”

Several explained the importance of working with people in community to gain trust: “Just loving people – not as an outsider – and then you can share your faith when asked. People need help. We’re worried about suicides and depression.”

Cox said the counseling opportunities are great. “Even now you see many people with a glazed look - it’s trauma - and we need to be there. Some need professional counseling, but a pastoral presence is essential.”

Several speakers noted that it’s been difficult to find some of the property owners in order to assist in getting their property cleared. One of the community leaders explained that some of the people in mountains lived there because they want to be isolated – “like Grizzly Adams” – but efforts are being made to contact everyone.

The importance of paid resource workers in each area was also stressed.

The pastors also shared ideas of ways to help, from teens walking the neighborhoods, child care for parents, gift cards, tickets to “The Passion of the Christ” and a dinner, to cash and churches and families “adopting” a fire victim family.

“San Diego County was not ready for a disaster last year, but it sure is better prepared now if another one occurred,” said Cox, who returned to Indiana on March 23.

The group Cox represents, Hope Crisis Response Network, provides its services of hope, help and healing free of charge.

“It was a good visit,” he said. “I saw tears of sorrow, but there are now more tears of joy. Still, there’s a huge job for the church, an opportunity to reach new friends. Faith-based partners get things done.”

The Salvation Army has been a major player in the recovery. Don Read, emergency disaster services coordinator, shared about the Incident Command System Training available for anyone interested to be held on April 15, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center in San Diego. It’s free to attend. For details, call (619) 446-0262.

The March 11 meeting was coordinated by Anne Subia of the Pastors Rapid Response Team and Urban Opportunities Unlimited. For more information call (619) 997-5332 or see the web page, www.uouonline.org, which is a great resource of ways churches and individuals can help.