Three weeks after Tropical Storm Rachel, Amy Carnall looks back on the relief effort in Ensenada, and why the number that matters most isn’t 100, but 15.
What has happened in the 3 weeks since Tropical Storm Rachel hit Ensenada?
Here’s one way to answer that.
Our team has packed and delivered relief kits, roofing repair supplies, basic household items, and food staples to 100 families: 52 in Maneadero, just south of the city, and 48 more living along an arroyo that flooded on the city’s eastern side.
The numbers make a nice, tidy report – but, in a way, miss the point.
So, let’s try again. What has happened in the 3 weeks since Tropical Storm Rachel hit Ensenada?
Pastor Rodolfo connected with pastors in the areas of Maneadero and Ensenada most directly affected by the storm, and he shared the vision: we want to bring disaster relief to families, but we want to do it relationally. We are asking you to go and see how your neighbors are doing, and if they have needs, bring them to us.
This put a burden of work on local pastors, and several opted out. They were happy to publicize help available or pass along information, but for whatever reason, couldn’t commit to being the relational link. To accompany the families in this process.
But 15 pastors said yes. They, or members of their churches, went out, knocked on doors, listened to families’ stories, and invited them to come with them to La Viña El Salitral.
There, they introduced us to their neighbors, and we distributed disaster relief kits organized and packed by church members of all ages, many of whom also had homes flooded in the storm.
To date, we have met and provided relief to 100 families, and we have a growing list of follow-ups: elderly or disabled neighbors who need help making repairs, foster shelters and schools needing structural repairs, and so forth.
Here’s the thing. The first answer is good. Distributing relief items to individuals in need is important work, and thanks to the generosity of Convoy of Hope and local business owners who provided product at cost, we’ve been able to provide far more initial relief than we first anticipated.
But the second answer is what Amoveo Group is truly about. We partner. We invest in and work through relationships. 15 pastors said yes. And we’ll continue working together as we move into the next stage: rebuilding.
Amy Carnall
