Archive for ‘News Release’

Relief efforts are in full swing in this hard hit city, and a twenty man ALERT team is also involved.  The scope and severity of the devastation is truly hard to imagine and the clean up has barely made a dent.  The death toll continues to rise and thousands more are affected by loss of their property.  Our team is mostly focused on chainsaw work, cutting up clearing yards, and helping out wherever needed.  Please pray for the many people affected by this disaster in Joplin, that Christ’s love and mercy would be made evident to them in this time.

- Stephen Winchell, ALERT Sergeant Major


Thirty-four ALERT men and officers left for Alabama this Sunday to assist in the relief efforts for the massive tornado that ripped across the state, killing hundreds and damaging thousands of homes.  Two days of work tarping damaged roofs, clearing storm debris, and cutting up twisted trees leave us tired at the end of the day, but eager for more.  Working in conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse in the Birmingham area, we will be continuing through at least Friday, and despite the large amount of work a crew of ALERT men this size can accomplish, there remains much to be done.  Please pray that the work we accomplish, the hymns we sing, the Bibles we sign and distribute, and the words we share will encourage people and turn their focus back to the One who came to love and serve us.

Here are two perspectives from ALERT men currently on deployment:

Being a part of helping serve the people of Birmingham, Alabama in tornado relief has been a real blessing.  People watched the tornado come in and have first-hand stories of God’s protection in times of struggle.  It also has been really neat to see believers from all over the country come in to serve complete strangers with a selfless heart of love.  Many of the people are elderly and unable to do the work themselves and are very grateful for the help.  I look forward to seeing how God will use us as we serve for His glory in the days ahead.

RFC Matthew Hartlaub
Delevan, Wisconsin

What aspects of this deployment have stood out to me so far?
It’s very humbling to be served a hot breakfast from the ladies at the church you’re staying in, when you know that they woke up much earlier than you to prepare it and that they themselves are personally dealing with the aftermath of the tornado.

It’s sobering to meet people whose lives have been so fundamentally shaken by the storm. People like John, who worries for his family, as trees which once provided peaceful shade now hang precariously over his home.

It’s an encouragement to work alongside fellow Christians, men who have traveled from Pennsylvania, Florida, and other states, as well as with my brothers from ALERT.  As well as sharpening and supporting each other, it’s encouraging as each of us is seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the men we’re working alongside.

It’s a challenge, at the end of a long, hot, humid day, when you’re tired and you itch from the insulation and poison ivy not to become self-focused and complacent.

Humbled, sobered, encouraged and challenged, we are blessed as we are given the opportunity and honor of displaying Christ’s love toward others. Working to meet their physical needs, even as we seek to meet the deeper spiritual needs that lie in the hearts of every man, woman and child.

Sergeant Samuel Wearden
ALERT Medical Instructor

The Unit 45 prayer calendar is now up at    http://alertacademy.com/alert/pdf/prayercalendars/unit-45-prayer-booklet.pdf

We recently received this note regarding the ALERT men in the last ERT group:
On January 20th my company was requested by a local Police Department to assist in a search for a weapon used in a homicide. The Miami Dade county divers had searched the area but with no success earlier that same day. I agreed to assist in the search and we began the next day. Myself and two of the ALERT dive masters spent much of the day searching probable areas. The weapon was not in the search areas. The following day (Jan. 22nd) Capt. Gast brought all of the ALERT guys up to assist in the search, and around 13:30 the men located a 9mm barrel from a handgun. This was exactly what the Detectives were hoping for. I wanted to let you know that your men did an outstanding job! They went from knowing nothing about diving, to bringing great success in a high level police investigation in less then two weeks! The men were professional and left a great impression on the Detectives, Lieutenants, and officers involved in the case.
Later after the men left, I was notified that the Miami-Dade Forensics lab was able to make a ballistics match on the barrel.
Your men did the Police Department, CETi Diving Corporation, and My self a great service, and I am very grateful. Please extend my utmost thanks to the men.

Sincerely,
Jordan Harvell
President
CETi Diving Corp.

Jordan Harvell went through the ALERT Aquatics program about five years ago.