OK, OK, OK… you all are right… i sit at the computer all day, read a few other people’s blogs, but somehow can’t manage to say anything myself. At the very least, i can offer a wrap up on what I experienced in Pakistan.

Winter was just beginning in those highlands when i spent a fascinating week getting to know some of the most hospitable and down-trodden people I’ve ever met. As my team left, a German team replaced up, to continue the effort — they planned on building an additional 150 shelters. We had used up all the supplies by the time we left, so the Germans had nothing to do until a helicopter came with more materials for them. They ended up having to wait 12 days (!!), but were able to complete the project.

Now winter is drawing to a close. All told the agency i workedA Pakistani man works on rebuilding a destroyed section of his home, stone by stone with was able to help build over 6000 shelters throughout the earthquake zone, which contributed to the well-being of over 30,000 individuals. Compared to the 4 Million who were left homeless by the quake, the number seems small. But for those of us involved, I see it as an awesome achievement (especially considering how quickly everything was thrown together, to be sure)!

And now spring is here. Those structures we set up are being converted into more permanent homes. The materials are being reused, or the existing shelters expanded to provide more living space. The agency i worked with is turning its efforts to longer term projects like training teachers (many, many were killed as the quake happened during school hours) and rebuilding roads that are still blocked by landslides. The Pakistani have weathered the worst of the damage, but the road to regaining the lost infrastructure is still long.

It is my ongoing prayer that the international community continues to recognize the responsibility we all have to one another. That those who were in some way touched by the tragic quake in Pakistan continue to support those directly affected. And that ground gained by the side-by-side working of neighbors near and far would not ever again turn back to relating through judgemental stereotypes or convenient reductions.

Well, after thinking, praying, weighing the options, Sarah and i decided that i should go to Pakistan to assist in setting up shelters for homeless earthquake victims.

The quake left 3 million homeless. Pakistan’s national army has been heading up the reconstruction, but their resources have quickly become tapped out. They continue to call for international assistance. FrontRelief, the organization i will go through, has had contacts in Pakistan for many years, and has a good working relationship with the government. FrontRelief has about 1,500 shelters that could be set up immediately if they had the personnel to distribute them. Rather than further taxing the efforts of those already coordinating so much, they are offering to bring in people to assist.

It is a very exciting decision. The hardest part is definitely thinking of spending that much time apart, especially since we are still feeling very “newly-wed” still. My work situation should provide enough flexibility to let me take the time off, and we are trusting that the money will be provided somehow.

The plan is currently to leave on the 28th of Nov, do one day of orientation, 2 days of travel to Pakistan (20 hours of flying, plus some time zone shifts), 14 days of in-country work setting up shelters where mountain-dwelling families can spend the winter, and then returning for one day of debrief. This time line is one of the earliest teams going. We want to leave as soon as possible to start to get things set up before the weather worsens (and so i can be back for some of Advent, my favorite liturgical season). If i can assemble my own team, we might be able to leave a day or two earlier.

So, first of all, i am looking for a team. Culturally speaking, women can’t really do this kind of work in Pakistan. I want to bring three other guys with me, men i know and trust with whom i can face the mountains, the cold, and the hard work. Guys, if you are reading this, you need to consider coming with me. The need is urgent. This is what we are made for.

Financial contributions are also appreciated. This isn’t a funded position, and we are covering the costs out of pocket. Please consider giving to this unique relief effort.

More news to come soon!!

+brooke

There has been much i have wanted to write about recently, but this trumps them all (and provides activation energy!).

Do you remember the earthquake in Pakistan on Oct 8th? It was bad, in some ways worse than the tsunami.

Relief supplies are coming in, but so many badly affected regions are high high in the mountains (higher than helicopters can operate), or behind blocked roads that may not be cleared before winter sets in. The Pakistani government has not been ablt to get the materials there.

So FrontRelief is looking for delivery teams:

Emergency in Pakistan: men needed now

I just received a phone call from a FrontRelief leader in Pakistan. My emotions overflowed with the sense of the urgency in his voice. Here is what he told me:

This is an incredible opportunity and a desperate need. WE NEED MEN HERE, NOW, to get into the valleys where all the houses have been destroyed, and where until now no relief people have showed up. We could save thousands of children’s lives. I can’t sleep. It’s 1:30 in the morning. I’m calling all the pastors I know. January is too late. It can‚t even wait until Thanksgiving. The winter snowstorms are coming, and we must get there first. We have portable shelters to set up. This shelter is amazing, far superior to tents. The shelter will last through the winter. And the materials can be re-used to help build permanent homes in the spring.

We need men now. They will work in teams of two to four, with an interpreter, for 2-6 weeks. They will travel in small trucks into the valleys to assemble the shelters. The clever design of the shelters means that they can be assembled in a short length of time. This rescue will change the lives of all who can come and help the survivors.

I am appealing to you to let others know of this emergency. Can you or someone you know respond to this emergency?

Respond by [address deleted, reply here if you are interested], and we will send you an earthquake-response team application which we will expedite as quickly as possible.

Yours for saving lives,

Jose Rodriguez
US Director, FrontRelief

Sarah and I are considering if i can go. I think that amongst my friends, i could get a whole team together.

So for those of you who have any flexibility with work schedule, please consider coming. Two weeks isn’t that long to be gone from home, but can make a huge life-saving difference to countless families in the Himalayas. They need the help.

This past weekend, my beautiful wife and I organized what is becoming an annual fall camping trip near this little-slice-of-Bavaria town called Leavenworth .

We had a great fire going, thanks to my brother chopping up lots of wood with my new Gerber hatchet. Sarah’s parents were even able to join us. We told jokes, had some Russian Quaalude and beers, roasted hot dogs, made s’mores, and generally had a good time.

The next day, after a tasty and assorted breakfast, we broke camp and headed into town for the Oktoberfestivities. This mostly involved taking advantage of the free samples at the cheese and chocolate shops, a lunch of beer and brats, and generally celebrating all things Autumnal.

We rounded out the day with a hike in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The trail was beautiful, running alongside a great twisty and tumbly creek. We were able to cross the creek dry thanks to an awesome Lincoln-Log-type bridge.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend enjoying Fall colors and traditions. We made it back with a box of apples that Sarah will sauce (her recipe is gonzo-good!) and campfire-smelling clothes to keep us in the Oktoberfest spirit.