DiRT Team Formation 2011

It's been a very tragic spring storm season. Please be praying!

A couple years ago I tried to develop a Disaster Response Team (DiRT) from my local church, but at that time there just wasn't enough interest. Once again, I would like to take a survey of local churches and groups to see if there is enough interest in forming a team. Because of the recent regional devastation, there will be opportunity to take disaster relief trips and help people rebuild.

If there is enough interest, my general plan is this:
1) develop at least one team, one team leader and get commitments
2) hold general training
3) join with Samaritan's Purse as a Disaster Relief Team to help with recovery efforts somewhere in the regional U.S.

Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in joining a DiRT Team! chaplainmick.com/contactus.aspx

Chaplain DiRT Ministry Presentation

{ Bible Knights } { The Chaplain } { The Project }

Chaplain DiRT Ministry Presentation

Swine Flu Advisory!

Important message from CEN (Christian Emergency Network) regarding the Swine Fly Advisory (some highlights are mine):

(Phoenix, AZ – From Mary Marr, Founder/Chairman of CEN) Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a declaration of emergency “preparedness” resulting from findings of the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) documenting incidents of swine flu in California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas. In cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), outbreaks have now been documented to have originated in Mexico and have spread to at least three other countries already.

Is this the pandemic the CDC has been cautioning CEN about for several years? What should Christians do? Be Aware, Be Ready and Be There in any emergency by praying earnestly, caring compassionately, and sharing the Hope of Christ effectively and appropriately. It is what the church has always done best and should be doing now!

Christians should be aware of accurate information regarding this outbreak and watch news reports carefully on the scope and rapidness of its spreading. If Christians are ready themselves, they are not a part of the burden that emergency management may face. Help your family, church and community to bring calm even now as the scope is uncertain, and then model and encourage quick response to any emergency directions.

Christians should be ready in their local communities to respond well together as they are called upon to bring calm to their community, and to assist their own families, church and emergency management as needed. . .

Christians should be sharing with anyone God places in our path that being ready is more than physical readiness. We never know the day or the hour of any crisis. For the Christian this means we are spiritually, emotionally, mentally and not just physically ready ourselves, and then also ready to help others. Whether this outbreak is the beginning of a more serious pandemic or not, Christians are called to give an answer for the Hope within.

Ninety percent (90%) of those in any emergency will ask, “Where is God in this?” Christians need to respond to the spiritual, emotional, mental as well as the usual physical needs of those affected. . .

About Swine Flu
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented.

From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. For more information on swine flu and how to respond visit www.cdc.gov.

Swine flu viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flue can also occur through coughing, sneezing, and touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Precautions such as frequent hand washing and early medical responses to signs of fever, coughing, vomiting and dehydration and other flu-like symptoms should be taken.

God bless,
Mick Dobra

Go! And make disciples.
Go! And feed the hungry.
Go! And shelter the displaced.
Go! And heal the sick and injured.
Go! And clothe the naked.
Go! And share Christ's hope with the hopeless!

Spring Tornado Season!

Tornadoes!
DiRT (Disaster Response Team) Community Service Training

According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms.

According to the May 31/June7, 2008 issue of World magazine, there were 159 more tornadoes in the U. S. in Jan. through Feb. this year compared to last year, and there have been 100 tornado related deaths in Jan. through May of 2008 compared to 81 in all of 2007.

Peak tornado season in the northern states runs from late spring to early summer.

Protective Measures

Be alert to changing weather conditions. Listen to radio, television, and especially NOAA Weather Radio for information.

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible!
Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar!
Take shelter immediately!

If you are in a home or building structure:

• Go to pre-designated shelter, safe room, basement, storm cellar, or lowest building level.


• If there is no basement: go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.

If you are in a vehicle, trailer, mobile home:

• Get out immediately!


• Go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter.

If you are outside with no shelter:

• Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.


• Do NOT get under an overpass or bridge.


• Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes cause most fatalities and injuries.

Remember, Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)


Ref. “Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness” FEMA, IS-22 August 2004.

2009 DiRT Deployment Opportunities

Greetings saints and servants of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Below is a message from a DiRT ministry I partnered with last summer in the Madison WI area. There could be some great partnership opportunities for us to get involved and gain some experience.

Please read the information below and let me know what your commitment level would be. Could you take a 1 Day Deployment (Friday afternoon travel, Saturday workday, Sunday worship and return home), 2 Day Deployment (Thursday afternoon travel, Friday and Saturday workdays, Sunday worship and return home), or a Mission Deployment (week or longer national trip)?

Pleas RSVP by Jan. 5th so I can relay the information to Bill at HighPoint Church DiRT.

Thank you and blessings!

For Him!
Mick
309-231-4542

January - March, 2009:

1: BERT will be planning three one-day trips to help rebuild during this time frame. We are welcome to join them. I will notify you when those Saturday trips are scheduled.

2: I will also look into possible DiRT one-day trips to that don't require anyone to have more skill than I.

3: Would you be interested in going on a two day trip, e.g., Thursday night travel to Rushford, MN or "Somewhere, IA" to work on Friday and Saturday, returning Saturday night?

4: Would you be interested in going on a week-long trip, e.g., to Louisiana for hurricane mud-out work?

5: Would you be interested in going on a 10-day trip, e.g., to Texas for hurricane mud-out work?

RCC DiRT Informational Presentation

RCC DiRT Informational Meeting

Sunday November 9th, 12:45pm at Richwoods Christian Church in Meeting Room 3

Meeting should last between an hour and an hour and a half. Light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to mick@cybermick.com or 231-4542.

Thank you. God bless,
Mick