PCCR News and Updates

US DISASTER RESPONSE [Florida Hurricane] Volunteers needed! We’re currently stationed in the town of Perry, Florida. Assessing the situation in the area is difficult because of the scale of the disaster. A hurricane leaves a similar yet different footprint than a tornado. Different in that it affected the whole town instead of just along one path, but similar in the sense that the damage is the same kind of damage, downed trees fell on houses and are blocking roads. Some roofs have blown off, but not as intense as a tornado. The scale of it all is mind-boggling and hard to comprehend, because it affects the whole town and this is just one town of many. Right now, the biggest need is for chainsaws and skidsteers, as well as manpower to tarp roofs. The project is open for volunteers! Click on the link below to sign up to volunteer with us in Florida. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ca56ae0d7fac4e9b97ff3c9a93cf7c30 If you’d like to help but can’t volunteer, consider donating to the work there. All funds will be used to help the people who have been affected by the hurricane. https://plaincompassion.kindful.com/?campaign=1270213 #USDisasterResponse #PCCR #Hope #Disastercleanup #HurricaneIdelia

US DISASTER RESPONSE [Florida Hurricane] Last night we deployed the RV and trailer to Florida and will they be reaching their destination shortly. This morning a little before 8, Hurricane Idelia hit the Florida panhandle. It hit the coast as a category 3, with winds as high as 125 mph. We have someone on the ground doing damage assessments. We will be opening the response for volunteers soon. Stay tuned for more details. #USDisasterResponse #PCCR #Hope #Disastercleanup #HurricaneIdelia

The Fall Awareness Event is less than a month away! Mark your calendars for September 22 & 23. Location - 215 S Shirk Road, New Holland, PA Steak Dinners on Friday Night! Looking for a date night with great food and music? This is the perfect opportunity to make it a romantic night out, or to simply enjoy great food with your friends and family. This time, we’re not doing reservations for the steaks, so be sure to show up early in order to get yours before we run out. First come, first served. The steaks come with a loaded baked potato, BLT salad, a roll, desert and a drink. For children or anyone who is not in the mood for steak, we’ll have several kinds of quesadillas to pick from. This time around, we’ll start things off on Saturday in the early afternoon. This will be a great opportunity to bring the family out to enjoy the food, fellowship and fun for the children. In the evening, we’ll have both music and dinner again. We look forward to seeing you there!

Ukraine 🇺🇦 Earlier this month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a mandatory evacuation order for settlements on the eastern bank of Kupiansk due to escalating Russian military activities and intense shelling in the vicinity. This evacuation directive encompasses nearly 11,000 individuals. However, they are given the choice to stay at their own risk if they sign an agreement acknowledging and accepting the risks. Most people signed papers initially but with time and increased shelling, many eventually change their mind. Some individuals initially chose to remain but subsequently reconsidered, while many others persist in their refusal, endangering themselves and their loved ones. Often, it takes a direct hit on their residence to change their perspective. Nonetheless, as volunteers, we use reasoning and persuasion in our interactions with them. Our focus lies on regions closest to the frontlines and active combat zones, with Russian offensive attempts only three miles away. Only those displaying the utmost stubbornness and resistance still reside here. We spent approximately 30-45 minutes there, attempting to convince a remarkable elderly couple. The babushka’s health issues requires access to medical facilities that are absent in the area. The old man survived two strokes. Both were very resistant to the idea of leaving their home. Eventually, she reached a pivotal point where she was willing to depart. However, the determination of the old man to not leave his land and his home, meant that both still remain there. They did not want to be separated. We managed to successfully evacuate an old lady and her 94 year old father. They were extremely grateful for our assistance, explained that they could no longer endure living with the relentless shelling day and night. During the journey the chaplain was able to share the gospel of what Jesus did and how to receive the forgiveness of sins. They were grateful our paths crossed and that they had the opportunity to hear it. #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

Q: Why should I take the training? A: There are lots of people who can and want to volunteer and yet aren’t allowed to work with the local and national emergency service departments when disasters hit. By taking the training, you’ll gain the necessary credentials to serve alongside first responders, as well as the opportunity to serve with our first-in team when we deploy. We believe in equipping our leaders, so they have the necessary training and experience for the field, whether that is stateside or international. Part of the training is on leadership and by taking the training, you will have the opportunity to take on leadership positions on our stateside responses. The training also provides you with the opportunity to get to know the staff and vice versa. This is one of our favorite things about the training, we love to connect with the students. Our goal is to put you in the best possible position to succeed on the field and the training is a great way to accomplish that. International deployment is not guaranteed, but much more likely when you take the training. We prefer to get have volunteers take the training before sending them, since the stakes are usually much higher. #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #USDisasterResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Floods due to intense rains in Santiago, Chile

A Chili response?

We’re excited to have the Liberated Band at the upcoming Fall Awareness Event! Mark your calendars for September 22nd and 23rd. More details to come later.

Haiti 🇭🇹 Our work in Haiti has shifted to mainly focus on the prisons. We are currently working in three prisons, and plan to visit a fourth one in the next few weeks. It has been an eye-opening experience to serve within Haitis prisons. At one of our recent prison services, one of the ladies asked if she could pray a prayer that God had laid on her heart. This lady had re-dedicated her life to Christ a while back. After I told her to go ahead, she started praying. She prayed for the young men that came and assisted in the church service, that they would not fall to temptation and leave the path God has for them and she prayed for my family and protection over us while we serve here in Haiti. We left feeling very blessed by the prayer she prayed for us. Some times we think it’s our job to minister to others but in reality, God is ministering to us through others. #Haiti #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Ukraine 🇺🇦 This past week we returned to Kherson to assess the current needs and provide assistance where needed. I was blessed as we provided aid to IDPs in the city who have no work and are struggling to make do, and to see some of them respond to the Gospel message of salvation! The last day, we had the opportunity to help with flood cleanup at the house of a dear Babushka. She was all alone in her attempt to restore order to her yard. Her home is less than three miles from the Russian positions across the river, and had been flooded completely. One of the buildings had collapsed, because the clay and straw walls had been underwater for over a week. Helping her clear out the trash and debris was a great experience. But what really made it all worth it was when Chaplain Leonid took her aside and, while they sat down together, he shared the truth of salvation with her. After he explained it to her, she willingly accepted Christ’s free gift, and with joy on her face she said; “Now it is clear why you came. Not just to help, but to bring the good news to me.” #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

Q: Can I volunteer with PCCR without taking the training? A: When we respond to a disaster that happens within the US, we will often open it up for volunteers. When this happens, you are welcome to sign up and volunteer. And if you’d like to be notified when we have volunteer opportunities, sign up using the link below: https://form.jotform.com/232137332471045 When international disasters happen, we evaluate the situation and choose who can volunteer based on the situation. Our preference is to deploy volunteers who have taken our training, but we still make sure that the field is a good fit for the volunteers and vice versa. Depending on the situation and if you have the skillset that we need on the field, we may deploy you even if you haven’t taken the training. If you believe this to be the case and you have a desire to serve, please reach out to us. #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #USDisasterResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Ukraine 🇺🇦 Our team had all been away from Ukraine for a few weeks, and just last Wednesday, we all got back and reunited again. I wasn’t sure how it would be to be back and to put my whole heart into the work after a long break like that. Friday, our team and chaplain Leonid went to Vuhledar with a group of press people to bring food parcels, fresh bread, and, most importantly, the Gospel. We haven’t been in this frontline city for a few months, so it was time to go back. When we arrived I walked towards the group of people surrounding Leonid, and this one elderly lady saw me and her face just lit up! She opened her arms for a big hug, and when she stepped back she pointed to her head in an attempt to remind me of who she was. I remembered her immediately so I knew she was trying to say that she was the lady who I met there last time, who was wearing a dirty white beanie and we happened to be handing out blue beanies that day. When she got hers, she quickly took her old one off and put her new, pretty one on. She made sure we got a picture together!! She was so thankful that day, and just as much so this time when we were reunited! She blessed my heart and brought so much revelation of why we are here, the desire to serve and the desire for people to hear God’s word has been rekindled in my heart and spirit! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be back here with my amazing team! #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

We’re hosting our first-ever Softball Tournament! Dates: 1-2 September Address: 6 Londonvale Road, Gordonville, PA There will be a volleyball tournament, 16U Softball tournament and an Open Men’s tournament. Skip’s Food Truck and Sunrise Coffee will be there for everyone who appreciates amazing food and coffee. This will be a fun tournament, we’re looking forward to seeing you there! For more info or to sign up, visit the link below https://lancastertournaments.com/pccr-tournament. #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #USDisasterResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR