Natural disasters are scary, devastating, and sometimes fatal. There are many organizations that jump in to help when disasters occur, and Hope Force International is one of them. Tina Busby, FNP, RN, works for a group of Federally Qualified Community Health Centers, called NOAH-Neighborhood Outreach Access to Healthcare, part of Honor Health, a larger medical system in the greater Phoenix area, made up of multiple medical group practices and multiple hospitals.
She and her husband also volunteer with Hope Force International, a Christian-based disaster relief organization that, as Busby says, “works nationally and internationally to provide disaster services as well as services to help communities rebuild after disaster. It uses volunteers, both professionals and nonprofessionals, from multiple nations.”
Busby answered questions about her work with the organization.
How did you become involved with Hope Force International (HFI)?
My husband and I have known the founders of HFI, Jack and Cheri Minton, since 2000 while serving with them in another faith-based ministry, Mercy Ships International. Since their conception of HFI, we have both had a desire to be involved, and we were finally able to complete our training and become HFI reservists about 6 years ago.
How does volunteering work? Are you put on alert or called in at certain times? How are you able to get time off from work?
When there is a disaster, HFI sends out a text message followed by an email to all reservists putting them on standby for possible deployment and asking them to pray and assess whether it is the right time for them to go and serve.
Because I have always been a part of a medical team, I have more notice and have not served with HFI immediately after a disaster. For the last few years, I have been a part of medical teams returning to both Haiti and Nepal. These HFI teams work with local community partnerships to show the love of Christ and advance His name. Since completing my education as an NP, I have felt a strong call from the Lord, that my skills and talents are to be used for His glory. Thus, I have tried to work in situations that allow for enough flexibility in my schedule to be able to serve others in this way.
Because we have a large family that is spread out all over the nation, finding a NP position with enough time off for both is almost impossible, and so, for the last seven years I have worked in a Per Diem or On Call position. Basically, I have an irregular schedule, and I fill in the open provider slots in multiple clinics, so that I am able to have control over my schedule and time off.
What do you do as a volunteer with HFI? How many times have you worked as a volunteer?
As a volunteer with HFI, my role has been to be a medical provider on multiple medical teams in both Haiti and Nepal, where I’ve traveled three times each with HFI. I have wanted to also help in other capacities, such as immediately after a disaster such as the recent hurricanes in Texas, Puerto Rico, and now the Bahamas. But at this point in my life, my resources (time and funds) are limited, and I also have a part-time job to keep up.
What did you enjoy most about volunteering for HRI?
I enjoy the people, all created in the image of God, both my teammates and those we are serving. I love seeing God work in so many different ways. I love meeting and making new friends and having the opportunity to serve alongside old friends. Having the luxury of going back to the same communities over the last few years, I love seeing how people’s hearts are becoming more responsive to Him and the great love He has for them.
What have been your greatest challenges?
My greatest challenge currently is that my husband, also a nurse, hasn’t been able to travel with me the last few years, due to his work schedule. Keeping my work and personal schedule flexible enough to serve, along with having the financial resources to serve, are always challenges. Some of the travel, long flights, and exciting bus rides, can be challenging for me as well.
What have been your greatest rewards?
Some of my greatest rewards have been the bonding of teammates and feeling the pleasure of God. I often personalize Eric Liddell’s quote to read, God gave me a compassionate heart and made me a healer. When I serve the least of the least, whether that’s at home or abroad, I feel His pleasure.
What would you say to someone who was considering volunteering for Hope Force International?
I would say, attend a Reservist Training and then go as God leads you! If you’re a nurse, we could really use you! We’ve just had to recently cancel an upcoming medical team to Haiti because we did not have enough nurses able to go.
Once you go, your life will never be the same and you will be “spoiled for the ordinary!”
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