Volunteers Responding to Disaster

by | Apr 23, 2020 | Acting in Faith, Emergency Response, Hurricane, Natural Disaster Emergency Response

Canadian Jimmy Penney was recently interviewed by WHI Canada Executive Director, Tanya Nace, about his experience as an emergency response volunteer for World Hope International. Here are his reflections!

Tanya: Jimmy tell me a bit about yourself? What is a normal day/week for you?

Jimmy: My name is James Penney, I prefer Jimmie because James is too official. I am a husband to my beautiful wife Leslie and father to my daughters Samantha and Jessica. My day job is a bus driver for Halifax Transit which has me up way before sunrise five days a week. Also, I am a member of Hillside Wesleyan Church in Cole Harbour where I am actively involved with the youth and children’s ministry.

Tanya: Tell me about your experiences with World Hope.

Jimmy: My first involvement with World Hope was at Camp Beulah in the Summer of 2018. Tanya was looking for volunteers to attend a presentation for Fresh Water volunteers. All I could remember her saying was ‘if you’re kinda crazy and like doing crazy things come out tomorrow to a presentation.” I ended up attending and the rest is history!

My first opportunity to volunteer was in October 2018. I joined a freshwater team and went to the Philippines. World Hope responded to Typhoon Manghkut by distributing life-saving freshwater filters and food aid to the affected towns and villages. Most recently I was blessed with the opportunity to serve with World Hope in the Bahamas in response to Hurricane Dorian. There we used Spectra water makers to make and distribute freshwater to the victims of Dorian.
Tanya: Why do you continue partnering with World Hope?

Jimmy: I will continue partnering with World Hope because they are making a difference in the lives of people around the world. I’ve been able to see this and experience first-hand. I feel so blessed to be a volunteer where I can be the hands and feet of Jesus when people need it most.

Tanya: What is one thing you absolutely love about World Hope?

Jimmy:  I feel so blessed to be a volunteer where I can be the hands and feet of Jesus when people need it most. From praying with a woman who lost her brother in a landslide to providing clean and safe drinking water to hurricane survivors — there’s nothing in the world I would rather be doing.

I absolutely love the staff of World Hope International, and their passion and enthusiasm to help no matter the situation, is nothing short of amazing. World Hope and their people are a bright light in what sometimes can be a dark and scary world. 

Responding rapidly and responsibly to disasters is made possible by the support of individual donors, churches, and organizations, as well as through our strong coalition of partner organizations and our amazing network of volunteers. 

Interested in joining the Canadian emergency relief response team? Email us!