• An assessment team delivered $4,000 in Virginia Baptist gifts to place 10 children immediately in the Precious Children's Home for one year.
• A Crisis Care team is being recruited and will visit the affected areas and provide the necessary ministry. These individuals will also provide training for seminary students and pastors in the area of crisis and pastoral care.
• The Virginia Baptist Mission Board has provided $500 for the expenses of local leadership to travel to the affected areas and provide logistical support.
• The Co-Missioner Celebration scheduled for March 12 has been canceled and transformed into a time of individual and church reflection, awareness and response. Tools are being developed and will be made available to assist in this endeavor. Funds that would have been expended for this event will be given toward the response effort.
• In mid-February a short video will be made available to churches showing the tsunami-affected areas where Virginia Baptists will be responding. A prayer guide will also be available online to assist in raising the awareness of needs.
• As of the end of January Virginia Baptists have dispersed designated funds in the following manner:
Virginia Baptist Mission Board-$26,114.08
Baptist World Alliance-$9,441.50
Southern Baptist Convention (IMB)-$26,114.08
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-$14,774.61
Special to the Herald