Alma Hunt 2021: Crisis Care at Standing Rock
In the more than 50 years Virginia Baptists have been active in Disaster Response (DR), we’ve learned a lot about the long-term effects of a disaster. One year after a hurricane, 60% of pastors had moved away. Physical needs were being met, but most everyone put their emotional and spiritual trauma on hold while focusing on cleanup and repair. DR has responded by investing in Crisis Care Chaplains.
“Trauma is not limited to those hit by disasters—it happens in our daily lives with people around us.”
Every year, WMUV (Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia) takes a team to Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The Crisis Care training benefited the team as we strive to care for our friends and the challenges they face on the reservation, such as illness and grief due to Covid. Katelyn Hawkins says, “The training was very helpful, especially the encouragement through listening, traumatic stress, and cultural diversity aspects.” Brenda Smith shares, “The section on suicide was especially beneficial, this is a major issue on the reservation. Trauma is not limited to those hit by disasters—it happens in our daily lives with people around us. This training is effective in helping us know how to better respond, minister, and serve in Christ’s name.” Pray that God will wipe away the tears of those burdened with trauma-related grief.
The annual offering for Virginia missions was named for Alma Hunt (1909–2008), a native Virginian who was known worldwide for her missions service and her unswerving dedication to the cause of Christ. Churches and individuals may contribute at any time. The offering provides funding for all Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) missions and ministries and makes possible other Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) special ministries, outreach projects, and initiatives not funded through regular streams of giving. Since 1976, this offering has been a joint venture of WMUV and the BGAV. The annual goal and allocation of funds are determined by the Executive Director/Treasurer of WMUV and the Executive Director of the BGAV and approved by their respective boards. The stories you will read in this prayer guide are of real people and real ministries, and all are recipients of some financial support from this offering. Every dollar you give goes directly to support these and many other ministries. We invite you to give to the Alma Hunt Offering—joining your gifts with those of many other Virginia Baptists as we share the love of Christ across the Commonwealth and with the whole world.