By: Colette Newer, Associate Director of Adventist Community Services at the North American Division
Carol answered the phone and heard “You have to see me, it is the law!” This was a call to Gateway Grace Dental Clinic in Portland, Oregon from a potential client, frustrated by her previous experiences with care providers. Carol’s reply took the caller aback, “We would love to see you! Let’s make sure you qualify.” The woman called back an hour later in tears, apologizing for her initial behavior.
Teeth aren’t the only thing the dental center considers as they interact with their patients. As low-income patients, many have had negative experiences with care providers, but the caller, as well as many others, have expressed their surprise about how pleasant their experience was at Gateway Grace. It is a testament to the intentional care given by the staff to making each patient’s experience uplifting, as well as healing.
Gateway Grace is a service of Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS) who also operates a food pantry, mobile food distribution, and thrift store.
Van used for mobile distribution making food accessible to those who would find it especially difficult to get to the ACS Center.
Sam Crespo volunteers twice a week to drive the mobile pantry to seven different locations in the Portland metro area.
Even through the mask, you can see Ariela’s smile as she welcomes guests to the dental clinic.
One of the dental treatment areas graced by a photograph by Dick Duerksen.
Carol offers compassion and patience alongside her dental hygienist skills.
The Willow Grove Adventist Community Services Center is one of several ACS Centers that are still responding to the needs of communities impacted by Hurricane Ida. They organized a distribution event on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, where boxes of food, clothing, comfort kits, and other items were distributed. North American Division ACS Director, Derrick Lea, visited the center to assess the recovery efforts that have been taking place around New Jersey and Pennsylvania over the last two months.
The distribution was scheduled to start at 11:00 am. However, Lea arrived at 10:30 am to see a line of cars already wrapped around the church, leading to the Community Center. As he got out of his car, he was stopped by a young lady that saw his golden yellow shirt and began thanking him, though he had done nothing at all. As he walked towards the entrance of the Center, he realized why she thanked him as he saw a sea of yellow ACS Disaster Response shirts taking the goods and piling them up in the parking lot. There were around 20 ACS volunteers that were busy at work serving the long line of cars. As they were serving the community, Lea quickly thanked them, and they returned to servicing those who were arriving. Though it was the middle of the work week, people had been coming for over an hour and this continued for three more hours.
“This is the community work that shows our care for those often overlooked, and the looks on the faces, and thanks in the voices of those helped can’t be measured. The Allegheny East Conference had received a grant from the NAD for this type of work, and Director Smith said he had around 25 churches that were able to do the same type of work around the affected area,” stated Lea. “I only had a chance to view one such location, but others similarly are serving their communities as well, and while this work might not get the exposure far and wide, those helped appreciate what the Seventh Day Adventist church is doing in their community,” continued Lea.
Line of cars around the church leading to the community center.
Allegheny East Conference ACS Disaster Response team at work helping the community.
Local police stopped by to watch the outreach work.
Van takes goods to people who have no transportation.
One of the volunteers interviewing residents to document their need
Though Hurricane Ida touched down in Louisiana over a month ago on August 29, 2021, several communities affected by this tragic disaster event continue to struggle. ACS at the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference has been engaged in the Recovery Efforts under the leadership of Lavida Whitson, conference ACS Director, who had been gathering various goods over the past number of years. Fortunately, these much-needed goods that were on hand were ready to be distributed to community members through a Distribution Center that was set up in Hammond. However, there were some families that didn’t have the ability to travel the long distance to Hammond which led to ACS coordinating mobile distributions in certain areas. In addition to giving away supplies, ACS volunteers also assisted with debris cleanup.
On October 9, 2021, Sabbath morning, fifteen ACS team members came together to assist the small town of Maurepas by providing them comfort kits and cleaning tools such as shovels, brooms, mops, and other cleaning supplies. Initially, no one showed up, and then Lavida realized that they had done everything but pray, so she offered the first prayer. And then, another team member gave a closing prayer to request God’s presence in their work. At the close of his prayer, they opened their eyes to see a line of cars patiently waiting on them. At this point the team sprang into action and continued doing so until everything they had was gone.
While assisting in Maurepas, a contact from the Indian Nation had reached out asking for help. During the Katrina Recovery Efforts, ACS assisted the Houma Indian Nation for many months, and based on this history, they were asking if we might be able to assist with Ida Recovery also. NAD ACS Director, Derrick Lea, along with Whitson, met with the Vice Principal Chief of the Houma Nation to get an overview of what the needs were within his community and ascertain how ACS could be of support. The Nation was made up of around 17,000 individuals out of which many had been displaced. Even though rebuilding of the homes was determined to be the greatest need, clothing, bedding, and other household items were also in demand. The local ACS team is putting goods together for distribution in this community. They will carry out similar work in other impacted areas as well, in the next few days. “ACS will continue serving though the news no longer highlights this continued need. One resident approached me as we surveyed the damage to the Houma Nation radio station and asked, “What are we supposed to do?” While I didn’t have a good answer, I did express to her our intent of helping her and people like her with the goods that we have. My hope is these efforts combined with others will ensure a livable situation for many that have been overlooked,” stated Lea.
Setting up the signage to get started
One of the trailers filled with the goods to be distributed
ACS team praying for God’s presence in their work
One of the volunteers interviewing residents to document their need
A resident with his tractor came looking for assistance
All DR buckets were eventually used
Cars lining up to receive cleaning supplies
Cars lining up to receive cleaning supplies
Cars lining up to receive cleaning supplies
Signs like this blanketed the Houma Nation community
Houma Nation headquarters with destroyed radio station next door
ACS teams in various conferences such as Wisconsin and Chesapeake are providing assistance to refugees arriving from Afghanistan. Wisconsin Conference ACS Director, Alice Garrett, has been in collaboration with the Wisconsin VOAD (WI VOAD) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) to help more than 12,000 refugees who are currently being housed at Fort McCoy. They have put together a needs list consisting of new clothing and shoes. Garrett is reaching out to our local churches to collect and deliver goods consisting of new clothing and shoes. “I am so grateful for our churches generosity and money has been turned in so we can purchase some things the Fort is in need of,” said Garrett. “So far, I have good help and we will be able to make this happen,” she added.
Chesapeake Conference ACS team members are also responding to the Afghanistan crisis by providing emotional and spiritual care to the evacuees. There were 36,000 who arrived at Dulles airport in Virginia and thousands of others who arrived in Philadelphia. “These are people who are having to completely restart their lives. Many are experiencing shock. We’re here for them in these moments of change, stress, and loneliness. We’re here to show them care and love and to let them know that they’re not alone,” stated Ignacio Goya, ACS Director for Chesapeake Conference. Click here to read article by the Chesapeake Conference.
Ignacio Goya, ACS Director for Chesapeake Conference, stands in the processing center for refugees arriving in the United States through Dulles airport. Photo Credit: Chesapeake Conference.
We regret to announce the passing of Pr. Ray Lamare Elsberry on August 26, 2021, at age 78 in Dora, Alabama. He served as the ACS and ACS Disaster Response Director for the Gulf States Conference for over 14 years and held these positions unofficially for over 22 years in various capacities, as well. Ray also held the State VOAD Chair position until he retired from his responsibilities in October of 2019. In addition, he pastored the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Columbus, Mississippi and in Phil Campbell, Alabama. He was a devout Christian who never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone he came across.
Ray was an instrumental leader over the decades for ACS ministry. He was recognized for his work in ACS at the Gulf States Conference Executive Committee meeting in October of 2019, where he was presented with plaques from NAD ACS and the Gulf States Conference to honor his dedication to helping others. “I so enjoyed working with Ray within the Gulf States territory. I could count on him to know exactly who to speak with in order to accomplish the work that needed to be done. Ray was truly a resource and I will miss him,” said, W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Director.
Please keep Nita Elsberry, wife of Ray, and the family in your prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Dave Livermore, right, president of Gulf States Conference, presents Pr. Ray Elsberry with a plaque to honor his service in ACS.
The administrative team of the Gulf States Conference present Pr. Elsberry with a plaque.
Flash floods from the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept through the states of New York and New Jersey last Wednesday, August 31, wreaking havoc and killing around 50 people. New York City officials reported that the rain on Wednesday night, 3.1 inches in Central Park within an hour, shattered the record set only few days before, when 1.94 inches of rain fell in the park during Tropical Storm, Henri. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency in New York City for the first time. ACS leaders from both the Northeastern and Greater New York conferences are working closely with their local Disaster Response teams and volunteers in the affected areas to bring relief to communities devastated by this catastrophic flooding.
Let’s remember in our prayers the survivors and those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.
A view of the southbound Sprain Brook Parkway, left, on the Yonkers and Bronxville border in New York after the heavy rainfall overnight, Sept. 2, 2021. Mark Vergari/The Journal News
The Southwest Region Conference has been housing residents from New Orleans and surrounding areas whose homes had to be evacuated, at various locations around the conference office. The largest facility that was able to accommodate most people was the Lone Star campground in Athens, Texas. In addition to ACS providing aid, other departments from the conference have stopped by such as the Family Ministries Director, W.S. Lee, who met with many individuals on the campground. Since social distancing rules are in place, the number of people will be kept to a reasonable amount before they’re directed to other facilities such as WHO (World Harvest Organization) and Fondren in Houston who have prepared their churches for any overflow. The evacuees are provided with food and other essential items, as well. The Arkansas-Louisiana Conference is preparing to set up a Mobile Distribution into some of the hardest-hit areas by collecting goods that will be used for this operation. However, people are being asked not to come into the area due to the high flood waters, downed power lines, and fallen trees. Hammond and Grand Isle were hit the hardest as the storm swept through these areas as a Category 3 hurricane.
Lone Star campground in Athens, Texas.
Having evacuated from New Orleans, Derrick tells of how he might move his family to another less vulnerable area.
one of the cabins used by those evacuated out of New Orleans.
On Sunday afternoon, August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall along the U.S. northern Gulf coast as a Category 4 storm, severely affecting Louisiana and Mississippi with drenching rains, relentless winds, and massive storm surge. More than 2,500 people fled Ida’s path and spent Sunday night in community shelters. Over one million residents are currently without power across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Many neighborhoods that are still recovering from the devastation of hurricanes in 2020 are now facing flooded homes yet again, along with a daunting recovery process. And Hurricane Ida isn’t done yet; expected flash flooding, damaging winds, and significant rainfall will continue as the storm moves north this week.
We have been in constant contact with our ACS leadership at the local conferences who are currently on the ground with their Disaster Response teams rendering support to the affected communities. Southwest Region Conference ACS Director, Durandel Ford, is leading his team in providing food and other needed items through mobile distribution. They are also setting up shelters at a few local churches to house evacuees. ACS Director of Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, Lavida Whitson, is working with her team to compile supplies that will be used either at a specific point of Distribution or take them into the devastated areas.
Please remember in your prayers the communities who have been affected by this disaster event.
Photo Credit: Edmund D. Fountain for The New York Times
The State of Tennessee was recently hit by devastating flooding on Saturday, August 21, 2021, after a record-breaking rainfall. The Emergency Management authorities have reported that at least 22 people were killed and 50 others remain missing that weekend after catastrophic flash floods swept through Middle Tennessee. ACS was asked to identify a Warehouse Management team to work in Waverly. The South Central Conference ACS Disaster Response will be engaged in this effort, under the leadership of both ACS co-directors, Lillie Buckingham and Barbara Barnes. A 100,000 square foot Warehouse is currently being set up for operations and will serve the community for the next few weeks in partnership with the state. The Kentucky-Tennessee Conference ACS director, Mike Hewitt, visited the site today and we plan to identify local volunteers that can be used to supplement this effort and ultimately take over the operation once trained to do so by the South Central force.
Please remember in your prayers the affected communities and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.
The impact of the flooding in the Waverly area of Tennessee. Photo: Hardin County Fire Department, Savannah Tennessee/Facebook
New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church partnered with Mind Changers and Amazon for a Back-to-School outreach on Saturday, August 7th, where they distributed 625 backpacks with supplies to the Westside community in Huntsville, Alabama. New Life/Maranatha had 192 backpacks for K through 6th graders and 83 ACS tote bags for middle school and high school students. Amazon brought 250 pre-packed backpacks and Mind Changers had the rest. Besides the school supplies giveaway, the community members also enjoyed free food, music, and games. South Central Conference Adventist Community Services (ACS) provided popcorn and snow cones and they fed their volunteers vegetarian pizza. The organizers had hot dogs, hamburgers and chips, drinks, etc. for the general population. The festivities continued the following day with a family movie night. The event organizers were glad to see a large turnout from the community, enabling them to create local relationships by focusing on their needs.
ADRA is on the ground assisting with the Recovery Efforts in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti few days ago. A needs assessment was conducted which reveals that food, shelter, and hygiene kits are the three basic needs. All the humanitarian items that are being distributed to the affected communities are bought in Haiti which is quicker, cheaper, and supports the local economy.
While these efforts continue to take place, ACS teams within the North American Division such as the Texas Conference are finding productive ways to support the work. They have partnered with Reach Out America to send 16 pallets of various items to Haiti, such as new clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene kits, and clean-up buckets. UPS is supplying a 747 jumbo-jet to transport these items.
If you would like to help, ADRA International is requesting monetary donations at this time, given the hardship of sending supplies overseas. All financial support given to ADRA International will go directly to the local response team, ADRA Haiti, who has been the lead of this current effort.
Let us continue to remember those who have lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy, in our prayers.
On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti approximately 78 miles (128 km) west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, with a 6.2 miles (10 km) depth. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates “high casualties are probable and significant damage is likely” with the number of deaths currently estimated in the hundreds and thousands injured, making it the deadliest earthquake of 2021.
While ACS teams respond to disasters and crisis events within the North American Division, history shows us that many of our members are affected by such types of occurrences in the Inter-American Division as they have family and friends that reside there. Given this reality, we are in communication with our colleagues at the Inter-American Division, ADRA International, and ADRA Haiti to ascertain the needs on the ground and determine how we can be of assistance.
Even though ADRA is the responding organization for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, some of our conferences are standing at the ready to supplement and support their efforts as needed. The NAD ACS leadership is in discussion with these conferences such as Northeastern that have expressed concern and their willingness to render aid. Currently, a needs assessment is being conducted in the affected areas. The earthquake has left behind thousands injured, and many hospitals and clinics overwhelmed. ADRA is working in collaboration with these institutions to meet needs support requested such as transportation, food, medication, and other supplies.
Please keep those affected by this tragic event and the responders in your prayers.
