APPLY NOW FOR THE DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM
Four years ago, when Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean, my wife and I were living on the island of Antigua. It was at this time when I first learned about the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). We were amazed at the talent, speed, and godliness of these great people and the organization behind them as they served families in desperate need. These DART members were, in Jesus’ Name, making a difference in the lives of those devastated by the storm.
After watching the team help families in the Caribbean, we were hooked and wanted to be part of the Samaritan’s Purse mission to save lives and reduce suffering in the Name of Jesus Christ!
Bryan served during our response in northern Ethiopia.
When I joined the DART team I had recently retired from the corporate world and was growing restless. Mentally and physically I still felt like I had something to contribute so I began to look around for ways to help others. The Samaritan’s Purse DART team has given me that opportunity.
During DART training, the team will try to match your current skill set to a needed area of responsibility, but being flexible is key. I was initially paired with the logistics team. However, on my first DART deployment in September 2019, in response to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, I was placed on a distribution team. This team organized and distributed needed supplies to hurting families. Within the first three days on the field, I was shifted between a variety of roles in operations, transportation, logistics, warehouse, administration, and finance on Abaco Island. I was willing to do whatever was needed because I knew this was life-changing work.
Over the past two years, I’ve responded to a variety of disasters around the world. On each deployment I have filled different roles for logistics, operations, and medical operations, even serving as a team lead. Each response is different, and I have responded to both natural and man-made disasters.
As we respond during a disaster, often we feel at the end of our human capacity. In these moments, God has ALWAYS delivered.
“Often we feel at the end of our human capacity. In these moments, God has always delivered.”
At Samaritan’s Purse, these situations are sometimes known as leaving “God Room.” We need to plan larger than is humanly possible and, in that moment, allow God to be visible and meet the needs of those who are suffering. In my experience, God shows up.
I have seen God deliver transportation when no trucks were available and supplies were urgently needed. I have seen God deliver just the right person when we needed a connection to the local community.
God uses the unique people and circumstances on each deployment to save lives and reduce suffering. Being on a DART uses every aspect of my prior work experience and problem-solving skills to create order from chaos. My wife is also a member of the DART, and we feel privileged to be part of an incredible and well-run organization that assembles a wonderful team of people—all focused on reducing suffering in the Name of Jesus.
Different skillsets are needed to holistically serve those most vulnerable after a major disaster. Though my fellow team members and I serve in different ways, we’re connected by our love for Jesus and our desire to make His Name known. It truly is amazing to see how God uses dozens of individuals, each with different giftings from Him, to serve together in the midst of crisis.
This post was written by Bryan Babcock, a Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) member. The Samaritan’s Purse DART program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We are now accepting applications to join our team. Apply now.
