Five year since...

 Praise the LORD!!!

    It has been five years since hurricanes Katrina and Rita wrecked havoc upon the gulf coast! For those of you that know me, you know that I was living in Iowa, La. during these storms. My accounts of what went on during these storms can be found all over the internet. This isn't the reason for this posting though. It's not to bring up the past, for I live in today, striving to change the future of disaster relief.

    Though the face of disaster relief has changed a good bit, it is still far from that which it should(and will) be. If you've stayed tuned in on relief operations to the many disaster since '05', like I have, you'll know that there have been vast improvements in the efforts to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible. Which is a very good thing. There hasn't been an improvement in the overall logistics of these vast undertakings though. Yes, large amounts of money and supplies are donated in a timely manor, but it is their getting distributed to those in need that is really lacking improvement. We saw this in response to the Haitian earthquake and are seeing it in other disasters around the globe.

    I've watched videos of the relief efforts in Pakistan dealing with the current flooding and am horrified at how they're delivering the relief. There seems to be a 'dog eat dog' mentality in the distribution methods. They pull up to crowds of people and begin throwing the supplies to them. People begin to scramble for whatever they can grab a hold of. The neediest of all(sick,aged and injured) are left to pick up whatever was left behind. In my personal opinion, this is totally wrong in many ways. Those that are in greatest of need should be the first to receive, not the other way around. Formal food and medical set ups need to be provided in the quickest means possible. Yes, it does take time to set up a food service operation to feed thousands of people, but in doing so you're making sure that those truly in need aren't left to fend for themselves.

    This is why VCM is working on developing a strategic logistics system. One that will set up quickly and operate efficiently no matter what the emergency. We a Christians have a very high calling to preform differently then those operations of world relief groups. We have the calling to preform everything we do to a level that will bring glory to the name of JESUS first and foremost!!! GOD is a perfectionist and our systems must function in the best manor possible, as close to 'GOD-like' as humanly possible. This can only be accomplished by our remaining firmly seated in our beliefs and adherence to HIS principles set forth for us in scripture. As VCM continues to develop, we'll strive to remain strong in our core beliefs and show the love of JESUS to all of mankind through our proficiency and the labor of our hands.  This is a high calling and one that I personally will strive to meet with every breath that I take on earth!!!

 GOD bless and good day,
 Rev. Marshall Barth
 Vine of CHRIST Ministries
 Vine Ministerial Network International

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