Sunday, October 28, 2007

October 28, 2007 - San Diego Wildfires

We arrived in San Diego, California at 5:00 this morning. On the trip out we discovered that San Diego County had the most devastation compared to the rest of Southern California so we decided that would be a good place for us to start. We drove straight through – seventy-two hours later we are here, and we are safe. We quickly determined that the most devastated and poverty stricken area is a mountain community called Ramona. For the first time in my life I saw vast mountains, once full of lush green trees and beautiful homes, reduced to nothing but rock, dirt and ashes.

We met with a man who owned a large avocado and palm tree farm. It was astonishing to look up at the mountain full of scorched trees. I did not know what to say to the man. He had his hands on the side of his truck, looking up at what was once his beautiful farm. Seth put it best…”What do you say?”

We will seek out those who are in need. Our next stop is the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and many other humanitarian organizations that are descending on this area to help. We are the only ones who have responded with heavy equipment and cranes. If any of these organizations need assistance with accessing closed areas with food, water, and nurses we will help make a way. After that we will seek out those who have experienced total loss, have no insurance or are under insured. There is much to do here.



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