Twenty-eight leaders from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) in 6 districts in Guatemala and Nicaragua received the second part of a disaster response training Oct. 14-15. The trainers were from the Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, KS, USA.
The first training was held June 7-8. It was led by Dany Medina, who is part of the municipal fire department in Tactic Guatemala, and Edi Montejo, NCM coordinator in southern Mexico.
The second training concentrated on practical work. The participants worked to create a church response plan, keeping in mind their abilities and resources. They also learned CPR, care and transportation for the wounded, personal care for volunteers and how to run shelters.
The held a simulation which included factors such as: organizing a team, medical response and first aid, search and rescue, and pastoral care for victims, among others. After the simulation each participant received their certification.
“Our field is very susceptible to natural disasters. We thank God that his church is preparing itself, and even now is thinking about its neighbor,” said Damaris Kellog, NCM coordinator in the Mesoamerica North Central Field. “On three occasions in the last two months we have seen the districts that have a disaster response team have begun to respond, assisting those in need with physical as well as moral and spiritual help.”
Source: Damaris Kellog, NCM coordinator, Mesoamerica North Central Field
