Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot 15 August, 2016

Prayer Breakfast: Jesus is the Way

0700 at BJ’s Restaurant

Hamilton Montana

Oh Father, as you have sent Jesus to be for us light and truth, send now your spirit upon us to grant us grace and strength to follow in his footsteps this day. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

1. Opening - Round the Table Individual Prayers

2. Morning Psalm: 18

3. Breakfast Reading: Luke 5:27-39

4. Breakfast is served

5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:

          a. News around the valley

          b. Prayer Vigil for Healing - AAR

          c. Week 26 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington

                             

6. Closing - Round the Table Individual Prayers

7. Benediction

          You have been reminded that Jesus Christ is your Lord and that you are God’s servant. You are loved; you are forgiven; you are empowered and now you are sent to live as God’s faithful one. Amen.

Upcoming Events:

          0700, 22 Aug 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          0700, 29 Aug 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          0700, 5 Sep 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          0700, 12 Sep 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          0700, 19 Sep 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          0700, 26 Sep 2016 – Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast

          0645, 15 April 2017 – March for Jesus Christ

Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:

On the Web: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Walk_Mar_26_16

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot

Week 26 of 52: Emergency Sanitation Preparedness (List 2)

In 2010, after a devastating earthquake leveled Haiti, people all over the world wanted to help. Despite all of the aid pouring in, the reconstruction process was put on hold in order to deal with a cholera outbreak, an illness spread from the contamination of food and water. This epidemic was caused by open-defecation and could have been avoided if individuals knew where and how to properly expel waste.

Ready for the shocker? It is a documented fact that more people die after a disaster due to poor sanitation than from the disaster itself. You can do everything right regarding emergency sanitation measures, but that will in no way protect you from all those around you who did not. During times of extended disasters, those that live in close proximity to one another will be at the greatest risk for contracting illnesses from unsanitary conditions. Teaming up with those around you to create a community led sanitation system can assist in avoiding epidemics caused from unsanitary conditions. In this case, the group as a whole takes full responsibility for its success and will see fewer instances of illness.

Quite simply, wherever humans gather, their waste also accumulates. This creates a perfect storm for E. coli and bacteria to invade most of everything that you touch. Not to mention carrying the risk of infectious disease, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the very young, the elderly and people suffering from diseases that lower their resistance. Fly infestations can also pose a problem for sanitation, and if waste is left out in the open, then it will lead to the possibility of epidemics. The following are a few examples of structures that can be built to maintain sanitation during a longer-term disaster:

• Simple pit latrines are the easiest and cheapest way to dispose of waste.
• Ventilated latrine and an odorless earth closet that prevents fly infestations, are also good choices. Learn more by clicking here.
• Decomposing toilets are above ground latrines that are another option and once the waste is decomposed, it can be used in the garden. Click here for more information.

Ever hear of humanure? Solid and liquid waste can be decomposed and composted to be used in the garden. For more information on using liquid waste in the garden, click here.

Toilet paper is always a concern for emergency preparations, however, there are alternatives and in a long-term scenario you will need to begin thinking outside the box. Some off-gridders use rags and thoroughly wash the soiled cloth for other uses. However, if you are opposed to this, other alternatives are available and can be viewed here. And for the lovers of disposable toilet paper, you can purchase larger quantities online at Amazon or at online janitorial supply stores. According to Wikipedia, one American person uses an average of 23.6 rolls of toilet paper per year. In a long term disaster, toilet paper will be a hard to find luxury item and could be a great bartering item. I would like to add however, that stocking up on thousands of rolls of toilet paper will take up a lot of space. So having some on hand for extended emergencies is a good idea, however, for longer term scenarios, you may need to get creative.

Because we are getting into more longer term preparedness items, you want to find prep items that are are multi-functional in order be as efficient as possible. Soap nuts are a great multipurpose prep item. They are cheap, have many uses, and can be composted after use. Soap, both antibacterial and regular, can also be purchased in bulk from your local dollar store.

Preps To Buy:

• 2 weeks or longer toilet paper
• Cat litter
• Bleach
• 5-gallon bucket
• Clothespins
• Laundry plunger (optional)
• Clothes wringer
• Wash boards (optional)
• 2 large storage bins to do laundry
• Women’s sanitary needs
• Soap or a multipurpose alternative (in bulk)
• Hand sanitizer (in bulk)
• Mesh screening to use for long term latrine
• Space bags to store toilet paper

Action Items:

18.        Ensure that you have sanitary items for all members of the family, including women, children and elderly.

19.                If you have not done so, create a sanitation kit for the home.

20.                Print this Hesperian health guide on sanitation and add it to your emergency manual.