Today's episode is part two of a two-part episode of a Sunspots’ Disaster Partnership Conversation. This episode features Jim Kirk, who serves as the Associate for Disaster Response in the U.S. for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Michelle Muñiz, who serves as the Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the Presbytery of San Juan in Puerto Rico.

In this episode, Jim and Michelle reflect on how they see resiliency as a critical component of disaster recovery and in the people they’ve to know through their ministries. They also share ways we as Presbyterians across the Synod of the Sun can continue to pray and support one another, particularly before a disaster strikes.

“Anything that doesn’t kill you and you integrate into your life will make you stronger. Healing camps, emotional spiritual care programs of PDA are all designed to help people integrate just horrible experiences in a way that it gives them meaning and becomes part of their journey, but doesn’t define their journey.” - Jim Kirk

“We have to be careful how we talk about [resiliency], so we don’t get into the place where we romanticize that people are struggling and somehow figuring it out.” - Michelle Muñiz

Download SPDR’s 12 Steps to Building Resiliency Guide by clicking the links below:

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Reach out to Michelle Muńiz directly to learn more about supporting disaster recovery and volunteering in Puerto Rico by emailing: puertorico.pda@gmail.com.

To learn more about volunteering at PDA host sites in the Synod of the Sun and beyond, go to: https://pda.pcusa.org/page/volunteer-work-teams/