HFI Continues to Support Relief Efforts in Washington

Hope Force International continues to support relief efforts with the devastating fires in north-central Washington, now on record as the largest fire in state history. Reservists Roger and Barbara Quesenberry just returned to the area for the second time, after serving in fire relief one year ago.

Working in a joint deployment with the Salvation Army, the Quesenberrys spent the last week cooking from the early morning hours until late evening in a school kitchen near Chelan, Washington. Meals nourished volunteer groups, animal control officials, state chaplains, the National Guard and Red Cross shelter residents. Many of the fire victims are among the ?poorest of the poor? and fires consumed what little was left. 

Between meals, the Quesenberrys provide ?ministry of presence? - playing games with the children, assisting chaplains and listening to survivor stories. In every disaster deployment, job duties for our Hope Force Reservists bounce between ?doing? (cooking, driving, tarping, etc) and ?being? (listening, waiting, listening some more). . . all part of serving the whole person. 

Barbara?s heart quickly melted upon discovering a homeless family in the parking lot, living in their small camper. Forced to evacuate from the edge of the forest during the first night of fires, the family barely made it out. Barbara explained??I just started hanging out with the gal. She?s broken with all their loss and fearful of what happens when the shelter shuts down. They have nowhere to go. Trying to find additional resources in the area for them.?

At this time, some progress is being made with fire containment, but the situation remains in a high alert status. HFI Reservists from Washington remain on standby alert should further help be needed.