Costa Rica Earthquake

On 9-16-12 ORR sent a team to Costa Rica to assist victims of the earthquake, 
primarily in the region of Necoya. the  team members were Ken Gruber, Deb Styles 
and Ed Karbowski.

The main objectives of this team were: to assess the damage in the area; as well 
as offer solutions for those most affected by the disaster ... and to offer material  
assistance to several families that were most affected and had little resources 
to help themselves. The team arrived at the YWAM base near Necoya on Sunday 
afternoon and met base directors Diego and Salle. They took us around the local 
village and showed us some of the damaged homes in the immediate area. These 
became the homes that we would invest most of our time, sweat and ORR resources 
to help the people of Costa Rica.

 On Monday/Tuesday we met with government officials in Necoya to offer our 
services and physically inspect several of the most damaged homes in their 
community. God gave us much favor with these officials and may offer 
opportunities for future teams.

 Glenn Vaughan from Colorado joined the team for the work projects Wed. through 

Sat. as demolition and concrete construction began on two houses very close to 
the YWAM base. The plan was to demolish damaged concrete walls and rebuild with 
new footings, new block, and wood framing where needed. The team enjoyed working 
alongside with family members of the homes, a block layer from the area, as well 
as a translator.

On Sat. Darwin Akin joined the team on the construction site and offered his 
unique sense of humor and a strong back. The team left Necoya in the afternoon 
and spent their last day with the Akin family in Tamarindo along the coast. We 
arrived just in time to see the ocean before sunset and enjoyed a wonderful 
meal.

The team returned to Omaha very late on Sunday the 23rd feeling like much had 
been accomplished for the Kingdom of God.  Ed Karbowski

Thurman Iowa - tornado

ORR was blessed with another chance to minister to our Gracious L-rd in Thurman Iowa last weekend.

Fifteen precious Souls joined together from Omaha, Glenwood, Fremont and Hancock ... to bring Hope, service and fellowship to our neighbors in tornado-torn southwest Iowa.

After arriving in Thurman, we made contact with the Emergency Operations Center located in the town hall. We were directed to the area(s) of greatest need within the community and then mapped out a two-pronged attack to help this devastated community.

One Team of five went to the school/community center to pick up debris and 'rake' the grounds with our wheeled magnet [the community leaders were so blessed that we brought it] to remove the staples, nails, screws and other hazardous debris that could really cause injury to Thurman's youth.

The other Team of ten went into the yards of the hardest hit areas and began cleanup there. We removed debris, salvaged personal belongings, piled wood, metal and

construction debris into separate piles to be removed with larger equipment ... and cut down many 'widow-makers' (damaged/dead trees branches that could possibly fall and hurt someone).

We went from one yard/home to another, making contact with the owners and asking about their specific needs. The residents were so grateful for our help ... it was such a blessing when we could work along with them and have an important time of fellowship!

The very first young man that we contacted (G-d sent us to) said he didn't need any help ... so we continued to each adjacent property and worked our way through the affected areas.

As the day progressed, we cut UP and cut DOWN many trees ... Brian and Coletta were like buzz saws with their equipment. Good thing we had the 'muscle' to keep up with them!

After taking a early afternoon break (thanks to the Salvation Army for lunch and refreshments!),  we continued with the two Teams returning to their respective venues. 

When the school Team finished, they made their way to the city park where they removed debris so that the Thurman community will have a hazard-free area to picnic and relax. 

The 'tree-cutting' Team met them at the park and we were directed back to the first house that we were sent to earlier that morning.

I wasn't sure why Thurman's Mayor directed us back there, because it appeared that most of the work had been done.  Well, we soon realized that G-d had a Purpose for us to go there.

This house had taken a direct hit from the tornado and the older couple that was living there had miraculously lived. We were told the man of that house had been hospitalized, but he and his wife were now staying at their son's house next door.

 That son was the very same man that we first contacted, who didn't want any help!

When he was asked about his parent's property, he said there was still a few things that needed to be done. As we were walking with him he started to tear up as he recounted the storm and how he could barely get his sons (one in a wheel chair - paralyzed) downstairs and (when he could) get back up to help his parents ...who were crawling out from under the debris into the flooded yard.

He really opened up as we walked around his parent's property.

It was a harrowing experience that obviously took a mental and emotional toll on him. His parents are now staying with him and his dad is recovering from surgery.

It was a wonderful blessing to have two other IFOC Chaplains (Deb and Sandra) there with us ... to talk with the victims, observe their mental and emotional state ... and pray with them.

After we finished at that location we continued to other locations (after conferring with the EOC again) ... and continued to remove more debris and clean up yards.

It was a beautiful day to soak in all that our L-rd had planned; and work with other Saints of G-d to serve our brothers and sisters in Fremont County, Iowa.

We will continue to be in contact with Thurman's Mayor and the Fremont Emergency Coordinator for any additional needs that may have. Also, we will keep in contact with the young man (and his family) who opened up

to us after he first denied our help.

Thanks so much for all of the prayers for our team and the residents of that area ... we were all blessed and honored to serve our Living Word and Father!

blessings and Love to you all,

ken

Snowed isolated Villages.

 The only road that connect upper villages of Jabber Gali was shutdown by heavy snowing and avalanches. The villages were paralyzed for more then month when we received many requests to respond the situation. There were shortage of food items as no supply was possible and people were also suffering from diseases caused by sever cold, they had to walk several miles on the snow to get medical treatment.

     Initially we responded the situation by using tractor for removing the snow as there was no snowplow available in the area. After that we arranged the true snowplow from the district government of Mansehra and also supplied fuel to clear road.

You can see in the pictures that food supply vehicle arrived in the area just after we have cleared the road. 

 The people of the area were very much thankful to our response.

We are thankful to all of you for providing us resources to complete this task as we are the only NGO who is working in the area and people are looking toward us to meet their needs. 

Waheed Alam
Director ORR
Pakistan