By Ally BarnesWednesday 2 Mar 2022Hope BreakfastTrendingReading Time: 2 minutes
As devastating as this time of flooding is, the true Aussie spirit comes out in times of crisis as you see people risk their lives to save others, and generously house and feed people who have lost everything.
And once the flood waters recede, the clean up and rebuild begins. There’s the physical recovery, but the emotional and spiritual is also a long journey.
On Hope Breakfast, Stephen Robinson shared about his coordination efforts of the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network – helping support families who have lost their homes and livelihoods in these floods.
“You begin with listening, rather than saying anything trite like ‘It’s going to be OK’,” Stephen said.
“Even though, in time, it will be, at the moment they are grieving and numb and what they need more than words is company. Someone alongside them they can say anything to.”
“At the moment they are grieving and numb and what they need more than words is company,” – Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network’s Stephen Robinson
As the flood waters start to recede, the clean up and rebuild begins, and Chaplains are arriving on the ground to support devastated families trying to process their loss.
“Every person is going to have their own recovery process,” Stephen said.
“Some family members will be more resilient than others. And some will hold their reactions until way later. The full impact of disaster doesn’t often hit home until three to six months later.”
Listen: Full conversation with Stephen Robinson from the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network on Hope Breakfast
How can you support the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network
Pray
Join our Hope & Prayer team, or send us a prayer request, as we pray for many different concerns in our world, country, State and city.
Give
Uniting Church Disaster supporting the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network (DRCN)
For more organisations, see Looking for ways to help? on our NSW Floods page.
Volunteer
If you are a pastor and would like to join the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, visit nswdrcn.org.au.
Feature image: nswdrcn.org.au