There Is A Burden On My Heart

I can't believe it is the end of the year already!!

2005 has been bittersweet. The gulf coast area has been devastated by Hurricanes. Many, many people are without homes, jobs and basic everyday needs. Volunteers are being stretched to the max and funding is tight.

The funding is the burden that I have on my heart. The Disaster Response Team is currently set up in 2 locations and about to open 2 additional locations. Now that we are into the rebuilding stage, funding is going quickly to purchase building material for those without insurance. WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!!! If you or someone you know can help financially (no matter how small an amount) it is SO VERY needed!! There are thousands of families who need our help! AND........you still have some time to donate before the end of the year! :) I really don't like talking about money but I will for this mission. These people are in desperate need, they need all of us working together. PLEASE HELP!!

HOWEVER........ :) (there is ALWAYS a however) God is working as He always does!! It is because of HIM that we continue on with the disaster relief efforts in these areas. This has been an exciting and amazing mission to reach out to the lost of many communities and share GOD'S LOVE through disaster relief.

The following are some statistics from the Disaster Response Team efforts.

There have been 9 baptisms (that we know of in our efforts) I'm sure there have been MANY more. We praise GOD for the increase!
Over 700 houses have been worked on (gutting, roofing, tarps, drywall, yards cleaned)
Over 4500 families helped with food, personal care items, cleaning supplies, baby items, clothing.
Over 15 local schools helped with bulk school supplies.
Over 400 backpacks filled with school supplies distributed to children in the gulf coast area.
Over 4000 meals cooked and served in several communities.
Over 3000 volunteers have worked through the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team efforts.

We love you all and thank you for your interest, prayers, financial support and volunteering. Without YOU this ministry could not continue.

Community of New Orleans waiting in line at Bywater Church of

Bywater Church of Christ Relief Effort

Bywater Church of

Toys for Children

Do You Want The "Good" News First or the BEST NEWS?!?!?

We received wonderful news today! We have a new couple who will begin working full time with the Disaster Response Team. They have secured their support and will begin working Lord-Willing the week of January 9. We are so happy to have Steve and Stacy Baxter working with us.

We are in Ohio to spend Christmas with our family. We've also been fundraising and recruiting much needed volunteers to come work. We are having a wonderful time. Don and Carrie Schmidt and their 2 daughters are doing a terrific job taking over for us in our absence. We are hearing great reports and appreciate them so much.

I will be putting pictures on here of our site in New Orleans. Mike Baumgartner has been doing fantastic working with Nathaniel Jones getting things organized over there. They are serving food. Handing out food boxes and cleaning supplies along with many other items. They are currently in the gutting out phase of the houses and are in desperate need of volunteers.
NOT ONLY THAT.........The BEST news is....there has been another baptism. One of the workers at our site in New Orleans was baptized!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

We have several volunteers scheduled to come into Mobile. So far we have volunteers coming from New York, Maryland, Wisconsin, Ohio, Alabama, and Florida.
The need at the Mobile site is workers to do insulation, drywall and roofing.

Please plan to come and be part of this wonderful life changing mission!! You won't regret it.

These are two of our terrific volunteers, Dick and Nita Stockton of Indiana.They are wonderful workers, they are also sojourners, which tells you how amazing they are. We Love the Sojourners!!!

This is just one of the fabulous meals that's been cooked for us! The cooks here at Creekwood are amazing!!

One of the houses we've worked on.

volunteers in line for dinner.

See......It's not all work and no play.....We have lots of fun too!! Pictured here is our most precious Wanda

Bob Card --another one of our amazing volunteers!! We appreciate Bob so much

Our very own Don and Rosemary Hudson

More amazing volunteers

Cooking on grills and serving food to the community in Pascagoula.

Katrina Relief--A few of our wonderful volunteers 

Volunteers in front of the Creekwood Church of Christ, Mobile, Alabama 

 

A Few Pics of Our Son's Homecoming

 

UPDATES FROM THE FIELD

Well.......Here we are on the road again.

We left Mobile to go to Fort Bragg to see our son who just came home from Iraq. He is doing very well and we appreciate all of you who have been praying for him! He is thrilled to be home with his wife, son and new baby daughter.

We are now traveling through North Carolina on our way to Ohio to spend Christmas with our family. On our way we are trying to rally up some volunteers and funding for the gulf coast.

Don and Carrie Schmidt are taking over for us in Mobile while we are out of town. They are doing a wonderful job and we appreciate them so much. Things have been slow in Mobile due to the lack of volunteers, yet there is SO much to do. Please get the word out to everyone you know that volunteers are needed desperately! We are still working on drywall and roofing.

Mike Baumgartner is coordinating the Disaster Response Team relief effort in New Orleans working with Nathaniel Jones of the Bywater Church of Christ.
Mike is doing a terrific job and we feel very fortunate to have him on the team!
They have been passing out food and supplies to the community and they are in desperate need of volunteers as well. They are gutting out houses in the area so much help is needed.

As you can see.......We are in DESPERATE need of VOLUNTEERS and FUNDING!!
Please email everyone you know with this request. These people need so much help. Let's try to get as many of us working together after the first of the year if not sooner!!

MAY I INTRODUCE YOU TO...............

The following is an introduction from Don Hudson......As I promised earlier, he will be writing articles for us, we hope to put them on our website, however until that is accomplished they will be right here in the blog :) Let me say we adore Don and Rosemary, we're blessed to know them and so excited to have Don share his Biblical knowledge with us!! --Laura


MAY I TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF?
I AM DON HUDSON OF CORNERSVILLE, TENNESSEE. I AM ONE OF THE PREACHERS OF THE HOWELL CHURCH OF CHRIST. ROSEMARY, MY WIFE OF 42 YEARS , AND I ARE INVOLVED IN HOME MISSION WORK. WE BEGAN WORKING WITH MARK AND LAURA CREMEANS IN 2004 DURING HURRICANE CHARLEY. WE HAVE BECOME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS AS WELL AS BRETHREN. NOT ONLY ARE WE SOJOURNERS, BUT ALSO VOLUNTEERS WITH THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM, UNDER THE ELDERSHIIP OF THE SOMERSET CHURCH OF CHRIST IN SOMERSET, OHIO. EACH YEAR WE ARE INVOLVED IN SERVERAL GOPEL MEETINGS AND SEMINARS WITH EMPHASIS ON CHURCH SPIRITUAL AND NUMERICAL GROWTH. WE WOULD CERTAINLY BE HONORED TO MEET WITH YOUR CONGREGATION TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE WORK OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM AND OUR EFFORTS IN OUT-REACH. AS YOU READ LAURA’S BLOG YOU MAY ALSO READ OF OUR MISSION WORK AND WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU SOME SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING OUT-REACH AND CHURCH GROWTH. PLEASE E-MAIL US AT dhudson@mcis.us.

WITHOUT QUESTION MUCH SACRIFICIAL WORK IS BIENG DONE BY VOLUNTEERS WITH THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM. THIS WORK TAKES PLACE NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE WORKERS, BUT ALSO BY THOSE BACK HOME WHO PRAY AND SUPPLY MUCH NEEDED DONATIONS OF MATERIAL AND MONEY. WITH YOUR LOVING HELP MANY MANY PEOPLE, WHO HAVE SUFFERED SO GREATLY HAVE BEEN HELPED.

NOW WHILE MATERIAL HELP IS NEEDED AND SUPPLIED, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY EFFORT. ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF THE DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM IS TO REACH OTHERS WITH THE GOSPEL. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKES THIS POSSIBLE. WHEN HOUSES ARE REPAIRED OR OTHER WORK IS DONE, PEOPLE ARE TOLD THAT WE ARE HELPING THE LOCAL CHURCH OF CHRIST WHEN WE CARRY FOOD OR HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES TO PEOPLE, WHEN COOKED MEALS ARE PROVIDED, TRACTS AND BIBLES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. SOMETIMES HUNDREDS OF BIBLES ARE GIVEN OUT. SOMETIMES HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF TRACTS ARE PROVIDED. INFORMATION CAN BECOME AVAILABLE FOR FOLLOW UP AND FURTHER STUDY. BAPTISMS TAKE PLACE. ALL OF US INVOLVED TOGETHER ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST AND HELP. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. DON

HER NAME IS RUTH...........

Mark and I receive so many blessings being a part of the Disaster Response Team!! Let me tell you about one such blessing......

Her name is Ruth and she lives by herself. She came into the church building and just looked distressed and started crying. She had heard that we had cleaning supplies that we were giving out. We told her we did and that she was welcome to them. She went on to say how she needed counseling, things in life had just really gotten her down, her house needed work from the hurricane damage....basically just everything was taking it's toll on her.
David Sargent, the minister here at Creekwood Church of Christ in Mobile, agreed to meet with her. The wonderful cooks at Creekwood just happened to be having a Pre-Thanksgiving dinner for some folks from the church here so David told her that he would like to talk with her, but would she stay and have lunch first. She agreed. As we were eating, I asked her what her plans were for Thanksgiving. She started crying again and said that she would probably go and have Thanksgiving with a family she met in a shelter awhile back because her children were all in Georgia. She said she was still hoping for a miracle from God though to be able to make it to Georgia. I asked her a few more questions, such as how she normally gets to Georgia when she goes, she said by bus. I asked her about how much it costs when she goes. She said about $80-$90. round trip. Mark and I felt that spending Thanksgiving with her children might be just what she needed. We told her The Disaster Response Team would like to send her to Georgia to be with family for Thanksgiving. She broke into tears immediately and grabbed me and hugged me. Then all of a sudden she stopped and said "Oh No.......I wasn't saying all that for you to pay my way....I didn't mean for you.....!!" I stopped her and told her that "I" was the one asking her all the questions and that we really wanted to do this for her. She just couldn't believe it, she was so excited! Then she asked if she could work it off....I told her no that this was our gift to her and that this time she was just going to have to let someone else enjoy the blessing of giving. I told her I knew she had plenty of work to do just getting her house back in order. After her session with David, Mark followed her to the bus station to purchase a ticket. When he went to get it they told him it would be $108. She started crying again and said in a desperate tone of voice that the cost must have gone up and that she would somehow come up with the additional money, Mark told her no, it wasn't a problem at all, the team would take care of it and he just wanted to make sure she came back and told him all about her trip. She agreed and wants to start coming to services also. Praise God!! While she was in Georgia, a group of volunteers from Miami, Fl., Alachua, Fl. and Sidney, Ohio tore off her roof and replaced shingles for her.

I know this was a long story but........you've just got to come and experience the blessings!! There are so many more Ruth's out there. So many more people who need a hug, help with their houses, and most important of all....to be shown GOD'S LOVE.

We Enjoyed Having You Here For Thanksgiving!!

Oh My...........I'm told is has been too long since I've updated the blog.........You are definately right about that!!

It has been VERY busy here in Mobile! Since we last spoke, many exciting things have been happening here. But before I go into that I want to thank all of you who came and sacrificed your time with your family to be here with us for Thanksgiving!! We feel like you're "our" family and we enjoyed our time together tremendously!
We had approximately 100 volunteers here over Thanksgiving. Volunteers from Ohio, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee took me up on my Thanksgiving dinner invitation!! :)

Since we last talked......Mark, Ashley and I went back to Ohio to spend an "early" Thanksgiving dinner with my mother and our other children and grandchildren. It was so good to see them!!

We arrived back in Mobile in time to get things together for Thanksgiving here. (However, we have such great help here that we didn't have to do much!) :)
We have had alot of drywall going up around the South Alabama and Mississippi areas thanks to wonderful help from many of you. Many are getting close to getting in their homes because of you!! But please remember thousands upon thousands still need our help!! Once things are out of the national media attention people away from this area seem to think things are all back to normal.........MOST DEFINATELY NOT THE CASE!!! I will try to get some more pictures on here to show you how things are.

The month of December is looking like a slow month for volunteers coming in. We understand with the holidays and all. HOWEVER.........If you have it on your heart to come help in December you are SO needed!!

We are setting up relief efforts in New Orleans and Biloxi this week in addition to here in Mobile.
Did I mention that we REALLY need your help?!?!? :)
The Bywater Church of Christ in New Orleans already has 100 homes that need gutted and we haven't even officially started the relief effort there!! I did mention that we need your help, right????? :)

Please also visit our website. Many of you know DON HUDSON......Don and his wife Rosemary are 2 very special people to us. They are part of the Disaster Response Team and Don is going to be writing articles for our website. We are thrilled!!
www.churchesofchristdrt.org

Let's talk again in a couple of days.....I want to tell you about a wonderful lady we met who had a "special" Thanksgiving.

YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR HOUSE FOR THANKSGIVING!!

Have you thought about giving your time during Thanksgiving to help put people back into their homes??
This is going to be one FANTASTIC week!! We have many signed up to be here during the week of Thanksgiving. We will be cleaning out houses, putting up drywall, sharing God's Word, serving Thanksgiving dinner in the communities we've been working in, and having wonderful fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ!!! We are so excited about this, please plan to bring your family and join us. The ladies from here at Creekwood will then be serving a Thanksgiving meal to all the volunteers in the evening.

We will be taking a tool trailer over to Fred Frankes from the Carrollton Ave. Church of Christ in New Orleans tomorrow. We plan to start working with them more after Thanksgiving. There is SO much still to do!!!! We are STILL gutting out houses and it's been over 9 weeks!! There is just so much damage and destruction everywhere, and we haven't even started working in New Orleans yet. But if we allow GOD to work through us, much will be accomplished!!

Hurricane Wilma Update

We are on our way back to Mobile, Alabama after our assessments of the Hurricane Wilma damage.

Our first stop was Everglades City, Fl. This is a small town. We spoke with a police officer there. He informed us that the electric had come back on and there really wasn't much damage with the exception of trees down.

From there we headed to Fort Lauderdale, we had the opportunity to meet with Bill Craddock of the West Broward Church of Christ in. He is the associate minister and a wonderful person (not only that but he is an Ohio State fan!!). We discussed the situation in Fort Lauderdale. The main problem there is downed trees and power lines. We would normally go in and cook if the electric is off. However, in this case most of the stores are still open to at least go in and purchase canned goods, etc. (usually after a disaster the stores are closed) The most damage is downtown in the business district (windows blown out, etc.) We told him if we can be of any assistance as time goes on to let us know and he assured us he would.

Our next stop was Clewiston, Fl. OK..........this is an area that needs help. There are many mobile homes that were damaged or destroyed and some houses flooded. This appears to be a very low income town (at least the section we were in) We tried to call the church in the area but the phone lines are still down. We stopped there but no one was around. We did get the opportunity to hand out some personal care and baby packs in the area and told them they were from the church. We will continue trying to reach the church there to see what we can do for them. If you are interested in going to help, let us know. (Clewiston is near Lake Ockeechobee).

All in all we believe Florida faired pretty well through Hurricane Wilma.

So you're wondering what's next, right?!?! Well....our next step is starting up in New Orleans. AND.........there is still MUCH to do in Alabama and Mississippi!!! We are starting to put up drywall so need alot of help in Mobile as well as the help we'll need in New Orleans.

We would like to get as many volunteers as possible especially the week of Thanksgiving. We would like to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the communities we've been working in as well as helping them get into their houses. Let's see how much can be accomplished that week!!

WE ARE ON OUR WAY

Well.......Hurricane Wilma sure took her time getting to her landfall location.
It is 8:00pm Tuesday evening and here we go again. We have put over 70,000 miles on this poor truck within the last 16 months!! We are on our way to Florida to assess the damage. We are heading first to the east coast. We will be going to Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, Lake Ockeechobee area. Then if need be, we will head to the west coast of Florida.
We are loaded with personal care "Packs of Love", water, baby packs, diapers, grills and food to set up a mobile kitchen if needed, generators, chain saws, etc.
I will give an update here tomorrow as long as I can get a signal for my internet.

We have had so many wonderful volunteers come in who truly love the LORD!! You all have been such an inspiration to us and we thank GOD for you!! We are going to be needing many more volunteers. We are currently working mostly on hanging drywall in the houses. There is still some tear out that still needs done and trees cut. When we arrive back in Mobile from Florida, we will be heading out again to New Orleans. We'll keep you posted on the situation there.

We have some special requests if you or anyone you know would be willing to help with these it would be greatly appreciated!

1. Volunteers to drive tool and supply trailers to disaster areas.

2. Donation of a Motorhome for the Disaster Response Team to use when immediately going into a disaster area. A tool trailer can then be pulled behind it.

3. Volunteers to train with us that can spend a minimum of 3 weeks at disaster areas, helping to "set up" relief efforts.

4. Volunteers who can come and work for any amount of time, helping on the clean up and rebuilding crews, working in the mobile kitchens, handing out food and supplies, follow up with those that have been helped, etc.

5. Donation of a semi "moving" trailer to house and transport tools to disaster areas.

Please continue to keep the Disaster Response Team and all the victims of disaster in your prayers. Please pray that they will open their hearts and minds to see the Love of Jesus and the need to have HIM in their lives.

Hurricane Wilma

With Hurricane Wilma only about 3 days out, preparations are being made by the Disaster Response Team to be ready to help within hours after the hurricane makes landfall.

As with all hurricanes, Hurricane Wilma is almost impossible to predict the exact landfall area until it gets closer. This makes it difficult to prepare. However, just to give you an idea of what is being done to prepare I've made a list of things we are doing here to get ready for Wilma should she make landfall as a major hurricane as predicted.

1. Mailed letters to congregations in the predicted landfall areas informing them of services
available should they need us. We will also be calling them.

2. Cleaning tools that are in the tool trailer that will go.

3. Sharpening blades on chain saws.

4. Gathering immediate need supplies ie. water, table top grills, charcoal, tarps, personal care
packs, cleaning kits, baby kits, flashlights, tents, etc.

5. Gathering and cleaning items for mobile kitchens ie. Large propane grills, coolers, utensils, etc

6. Stocking industrial size cans of food, paper products, etc. for the mobile kitchens.

7. Making copies of forms that will be used.

8. Sending emails and letters to volunteers who have previously signed up requesting their help
along with any other members of the church that would be willing to help.

9. Filling gas cans for generators and fuel tanks for our trucks.

We NEED your help!! We will still have a team working here in Mobile to reach the areas we've already started working in. We are also getting ready to set up in New Orleans and now it looks like we may also be working in Florida. As you can tell, this is a huge undertaking and MUCH help is needed!! Please consider coming and working with us whether it is for a day, week or month. Please get the word out to anyone you know of our need for volunteers!!
The disaster relief outreach is such a wonderful way to reach out to members of the community to show the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

"Do you take dollar bills"? She asked.

I'm taking a "break" so thought I'd sit and give an update of what has been going on here over the last few days.

Crews are still going out gutting houses, cutting trees, delivering supplies, cooking community meals and ministering to the needs of people. One of the families that was helped lost everything, yet they still wanted to give. They asked if we would take $1.00 bills. She was told that wasn't necessary, but she really wanted to give so it was accepted thinking maybe she had $15. - $20. worth of bills. She sent a taped up box back with the crew that worked on her house (they didn't know what was inside) When it was opened up back here at the church building, it had approx. 450 dollar bills inside!! Apparently she saves dollar bills and then when she gets a collection of them, gives them away where needed. This is a family (like so many others) who hadn't even been inside their house since the storm (7 weeks ago) so you can imagine the mess! Please keep this family along with all the others in your prayers, the stress level is so high for them and they are having a rough time coping. This is just one story about one family......the stories and families seem endless. So much help is needed whether it be physical labor, supplies, or a smile and hug. We are ministering to their spiritual needs as well, that is the MOST important task we can accomplish.

Much has been accomplished thus far.......
Over 1300 volunteers have come to help representing at least 9 states.
Over 4500 families have been helped with supplies (that included Bibles) and/or labor.
Over 4300 meals prepared and served in several communities.

Please come and be a part of this wonderful mission!!

WATCH THE NEXT POST TO HEAR ABOUT THE PLAN OF ACTION FOR HURRICANE WILMA!!

One change to the address for Mark's mother. She has been moved, if you've already sent a card to the other address that's ok she will still receive it. Thank you so much for caring!! :)

Viola Cremeans
C/O Koester Pavilion
County Rd. 25A
Troy, Ohio 45373

One More Thing..........

This is just a short addition to what I posted earlier today.

Some of you have asked about sending Mark's mother a card. That would be WONDERFUL and greatly appreciated!! We really appreciate your prayers!!

Viola Cremeans
C/O Upper Valley Medical Center
County Rd. 25A
Troy, Ohio 45373

CAN WE COUNT ON YOU????

I realize it's been almost a week since I last updated this blog. I miss sitting and taking the time to reflect and put my thoughts into words. As many of you know, we've been in Ohio this week with Mark's Mother. She is 81 years old and in the hospital with colon complications. The prognosis is not good and they are not able to operate due to other health issues. We ask that you please keep her in your prayers and if you will please keep us in your prayers as well. It's difficult being away from a loved one who is ill.
We also want to thank Duane and Carole Kemp for coming down and taking over for us during our absence. Duane and Carol have worked with us following other disasters and we appreciate them so much!!!

That being said...we are now on our way back to Mobile, Alabama. Time to get back to work. :)
We will continue to work through the Creekwood congregation in Mobile. However, we will also be starting relief efforts in New Orleans. We will surely be needing many volunteers to go to New Orleans as well as others working through Mobile. That means we are going to need a huge increase in volunteers to cover all these areas. Can we count on you?? If the past months have been any indication, you will be here and GOD'S love will be taught in many areas!! We are wanting teams of volunteers to come in to follow up with people who have been helped, teaching them about Christ as well as doing physical labor to help with their houses. This is an excellent opportunity to fellowship with other christians and work together teaching the saving grace of our LORD and SAVIOR.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact us!! You are very needed!! Please don't forget about the items needed that were put in the last post. If you are able to help by sending the actual items or help monetarily to purchase them it is greatly appreciated!!

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
Somerset Church of Christ
P.O. 247
Somerset, Ohio 43783
740-743-231
Mark's Cell-- 937-308-0035
Laura's Cell (Please call this # to volunteer) 937-308-2259

IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT IS NEEDED..........:)

Once again (or should I say "still") I find myself saying......"What would we do without you??" :) As always GOD is continuing to bless us with excellent volunteers and we appreciate all of you so much!!

We continue in the "gutting out houses", cutting trees and roofing stage. Hopefully within 1-2 weeks many of the houses will be "dried out" enough to begin hanging drywall. We are in desperate need of roofers and electricians now and will be needing drywall finishers within a couple of weeks. Don't get me wrong, we still need every other volunteer also!! :)

Many of you have been asking about the items still needed here so I thought this would be a good time to give an update. We will be needing items for New Orleans as well as the Mississippi areas. If you've already sent items, let me say "thank you" they are very needed and appreciated!!

Respirator Masks (the kind with filters attached)
Tyvek Suits (the disposable kind that goes on over clothing)
Utility Knives
Rubber Gloves
Small Sledge Hammers
Eye Goggles (not safety glasses)
Diapers
Personal Care Items
Powder Laundry Detergent
Cleaning Supplies
Dehumidifiers
18V Dewalt Reciprocating Saws
Drywall (please call Mark for more info. 937-308-0035)
Dimensional Shingles (please call Mark for more info.)
Monetary Donations
VOLUNTEERS!! :)

Please Keep Your Calenders Open

We made our trip to New Orleans and back to Mobile, Alabama.
The devastation is so much worse in person than any of us have been able to experience via television. We met with elders from the Carrollton Ave. Church of Christ and the Bywater Church of Christ. Both congregations are needing much assistance and both need help with their buildings before a relief effort can begin. Please clear your calenders as much as possible. We envision a huge presence of the Lords Church in the New Orleans area. None of the congregations have many of their own members back yet, but with your help they can reach out to their communities through disaster relief. We are praying that within about 2 weeks things will be to the point of outreaches starting up in these congregations. We'll keep you updated as to the progress. If you have a self contained camper and are able to help these congregations, please let us know. At the present time, there is nowhere for volunteers to stay and there is no electric. The Carrollton Ave. church needs assistance gutting their building, they are also in need of pews. The Bywater church needs help with the roof of their building and they have no insurance. If you are able to help with this need financially, please call us.

Mark and I will be going back over to the New Orleans area this weekend or the beginning of the week to check on the progress and then on to Lake Charles to see what assistance we can be there.

Please pass this information on to anyone you know that might be able to help.

You may contact us at 937-308-2259 (Laura's cell)

WHAT'S NEXT??

We are currently "on the road again" to meet with Fred Franke, an elder from the Carrollton Ave. Church of Christ in New Orleans. I will let you know tonight or tomorrow how things went and what we all can do to help them.

Bob Card from Troy, Ohio is graciously taking over for us in Mobile while we are gone. He is a blessing and we appreciate him so much! (We also appreciate you Shirley for allowing him to stay longer!!) :) We are also looking forward to this weekend when Duane and Carol Kemp from Troy, Ohio and Don and Rosemary Hudson from Cornersville, Tenn. while be joining us. Both couples have worked with us at several disasters and are experienced in the work.

As I said in a previous post, we have had many wonderful volunteers here. Thanks to all of you who have come, we've been able to help several congregations reach out to their communities.
We've sent volunteers and/or supplies to the churches in the following communites:
Gautier, Ms.,
Hurley, Al.,
Vancleave, Ms.,
Gulf Port, Ms.,
Ocean Springs, Ms.,
Long Beach, Ms.,
Orange Grove COC-Biloxi, Ms.,
Some of the other areas we've worked in include: Bayou La Batre, DIP, Codene, Pascagoula.

Keep Praying!

PENNIES ARE NOT SMALL CHANGE

Pennies are not small change......just ask the children from the Tropical Christian School in Miami, Florida. They brought in handfuls of pennies for 8 days to donate to the relief effort. Those pennies added up to $3,349.03!! Thank you kids, because of you, many people will be helped and we're glad you're on the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team!!

This is what we mean by the "team". Many people doing a little will accomplish much!!

We have 145 people here volunteering this week, PRAISE GOD!! They have come from Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.), Melbourne Church of Christ (Florida), Alachua Church of Christ (Florida), Shelbyville, Tenn., Sunset Church of Christ(Miami, Florida), Cape Canaveral, Fl., Mid-County Church of Christ(Ohio), Jackson, Al., Marietta, Ga. AND.......... we're waiting on YOUR arrival!! :)

Mark received a call today from someone turning in the name of a 94 year old man. He is living in his house that had been flooded and needs help desperately. The carpet has been pulled out but he is trying to save his furniture (impossible) with him living in his house with these items, he will become ill from the bacteria. We are going to help him with his house and new furniture. Remember........there are thousands just like this man and we need your help.

We will begin putting drywall back into the houses within a couple of weeks. This is when the funding comes into action. Most of these people have no flood insurance (most weren't in a flood plain to need it) however, they had flooding which means no insurance coverage. This is where we as the "team" can help them. Without money, the building materials cannot be purchased to help them get back into their homes. Due to the enormous size of these 2 hurricanes, the damage is extensive and it will take a huge commitment from the Churches of Christ to help put these people back into their homes. We pray that you will see it worthy to help with this mission financially.

Please mail donations to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
Somerset Church of Christ
P.O. 247
Somerset, Ohio 43783
740-743-2313

YOU are part of our team!!

Mark and I get so much undeserved credit for the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team. We are just a tool that GOD uses to allow all of you to work for HIM in the disaster relief ministry. YOU are the team and it is YOU allowing GOD to work through you that makes the Disaster Response Team a success. There is nothing to "join" YOU are part of the team whether you are praying for this effort, physically working on houses, writing letters of encouragement to pass out to those affected, making phone calls,sending "us" encouraging emails, gathering items for the Packs of Love care packs, sending monetary donations, sending much needed supplies, opening your church building to allow us to bring in volunteers and supplies, and the list goes on and on.......We're glad you're part of the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team!!
It thrills my heart to see so many christians working together through this effort. We are not affiliated with Nashville Disaster Relief (we do very different things in this effort) however we are usually working in the same areas and it is so thrilling to see those semis coming in with the Church of Christ name on the side, just like it is when we see your church vans coming in with your name on them. ALL working together to further GOD'S kingdom. I pray that we all will keep our focus on GOD. HE is the reason we are all here.

Because of all of you......many have completed the grueling work of gutting their houses, trees have been cut and now the wait begins......it takes about 5 weeks for the houses to "dry out" before drywall can be put back in. Don't get me wrong.....the work is in NO WAY
complete....there are still thousands who need help gutting their houses and cutting their trees! But those you helped are so grateful! We are still in the "gutting out" phase, tarping roofs, and cutting trees......and we need you!! :) We are also working with many congregations in the area, delivering supplies to them and helping them disburse the supplies into their communities.

We are so blessed to have the Gulf Breeze Church of Christ, Melbourne Church of Christ, Mid-County Church of Christ, Somerset Church of Christ, Alachua Church of Christ, Port Charlotte Church of Christ, Gainesville Church of Christ with us. These are just a few of the many congregations who are helping in this effort. We thank you for your financial assistance.

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD

It's been brought to my attention that there may be a misunderstanding about our leaving for Louisiana and Texas. Mark and I will be going to the areas affected by Hurricane Rita the beginning of the week however, there will be others in charge here in Mobile while we are gone and the work here will continue. Part of our responsibilities are to go into affected areas and assess the damage, talk to the churches in those areas and see of what assistance we can be. There may be times when "we" aren't here when you arrive to volunteer, please be assured that we will have people here that are experienced and will take over for the time we're gone.

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, the following is a letter telling of the wonderful way GOD works through this ministry.

Laura,

The woman you wrote about on the blog last week that met church members on the water front is Michelle. Those of us in the second group from Ohio met her at a house where we working during our stay. It was amazing how God worked that situation. She came into the house to take pictures of the house for her friend the home owner: insurance purposes I guess. Michelle asked where we were from and talked about meeting another group from Ohio the week before. It was amazing because it was our people: Doug, Nancy, Steve, Marge, etc. You can only imagine the emotion.

Before I arrived, Nancy called me repeatedly saying I had to meet Michelle. She never told me why: just that I would cry and I have to admit I’ve done my share. So, at Nancy “persistent” request, I made notes, writing down names and phone numbers of people I did not know or have “any clue” where to find them: not even the name of a town. To make a long story short, when we arrived in Mobile, you gave me work assignments and our group of 22 people hit the road early Monday morning headed for Pascagoula. I divided our people into three groups and assigned them to three sites. The next thing that happened floored me. After meeting Michelle as discussed in the first paragraph, she told me in detail about meeting our people the previous week. The amazement did not stop there. Within a few minutes, I realized one of our crews that I assigned earlier, before all this happened, was working on Michelle’s sister’s (Dennis) house. The next day, we met their parents (Carl and Jackie) and began working there. Remember the list of names Nancy called me about? Well, first on the list was Michelle, then her sister, followed by her parents. We also met Michelle’s brother Scott another very nice person. At the end of the week with the help of Michelle and her dad, the Church of Christ in Gautier was identified to distribute food and supplies to those in need in that area. Tell me God didn’t have a hand in all that! I stand in awe of our amazing God!

Dave

Thank You For Your Prayers!!

I have been trying continuously to update this blog without much success until now. I have gotten a new computer and for some reason wasn't able to log in. ANYWAY.....it works now! :)

Thank you all for your prayers for our grandson during his surgery. He is doing well and I am now back in Mobile, AL. On the flight here I sat next to a very nice man from Virginia named Joe. He and his family were in Columbus for his sister-in-law's funeral, please keep them in your prayers as they go through this time of grieving.

BOY........have they been busy in Mobile while I've been gone!! With many volunteers coming in and much work for the Lord being accomplished. The Creekwood congregation is AWESOME! We appreciate all of you so much and your willingness to serve the LORD in this way. You've been so hospitable to all of the volunteers and we enjoy working side by side with you!

We really appreciate all the trucks and trailers of supplies that have been brought in. They have been put to good use. We are in continuous need of supplies (but please call first to find out the current supplies needed) and volunteers, so come on down!!
We are still in the "gutting out" and bleaching phase on the houses. Speaking of volunteers....We appreciate all of you so much for your willingness to serve the Lord in this way! We do ask that you check with us before bringing your children down with you. We understand that you want your children to experience these things, however many of the areas that we are working in can be dangerous for them because of the bacteria, etc. and we just don't have the staff available to allow them to stay at the church building while you are working. Please call first though because situations change daily and there may be things that they can do and as we work our way into other areas that will change.

Lord-Willing...we will be heading west in a few days to assess damage from Hurricane Rita and to see of what assistance we can be in New Orleans.

Be sure and check this blog Wednesday or Thursday to hear a specific story of how GOD is truly working in this ministry.

THROUGH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

I'm sitting here at the Pensacola airport awaiting my flight back to Dayton, Ohio to be with our daughter and son-in-law while our grandson "Hunter" has surgery. I just keep thinking about what the people in Texas are going to be experiencing in a couple of days when Hurricane Rita blows through. It's hard to even put all that I'm feeling into words. These people are going to be needing so much help and yet all those in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisanna are just now beginning to come back to see the devastation at their homes. It can be overwhelming if we only look at what "we" can do to help. But you know, through GOD all things are possible. As long as we keep GOD first and keep HIM our main focus, we can all get through this. Yes, there will be alot of work to do, and yes we will all spend endless hours doing it. But our main focus is to show and teach as many as we can the LOVE OF OUR LORD through disaster relief. I can't even begin to know what those that have lost everything are going through I've personally never gone through it, but I do know that with GOD, ALL things are possible.

Please keep all those in the path of Hurricane Rita in your prayers and please also consider helping whether through volunteering or sending donations of supplies or money. Please also keep those of us that are working side by side with those who've lost everything to remember our main focus.....HIM and that we will allow GOD to work through us.

I will be arriving Lord-Willing back in Mobile on Monday, unless I'm called to Texas earlier. I will be in contact with Mark and will keep updating this blog while I'm gone.

The Look of Hope In These Precious Faces

Our Somerset, Ohio volunteers told of going to the coast and seeing the devastation there. They stopped to take some pictures. While they were stopped a woman came running up to the their van crying. She had seen that they were from the Church of Christ Disaster Response Team. She and her family are members of the church. She was thrilled to see brothers and sisters in her neighborhood. She seemed almost hysterical, this was the first day they had been back. She was in shock and it comforted her so much to know that members of the church were there to help. I had the priviledge of meeting her and some of her family this Sunday. She came to me crying and when I explained what all we could do to help her family, she had that look of "hope" in her eyes. Her family had hurricane insurance but not flood insurance, which is what we are seeing in most cases. When we explained to her that we could send volunteers out to help gut her house, bleach it, then help rebuild it, she just couldn't believe it!! I want for all of you to be able to experience the look of hope in the faces of these people when they hear that there is help for them. This story in not uncommon. There are many, many more just like it. There are so many who need help. If you have any connections to companies who supply building material, please contact us. We are in the process of gutting and bleaching houses. They will need to "dry out" but then the rebuilding will begin. It will take much funding, but GOD is in control so we know it will happen.
Many of you have been so generous in your giving of time and donations. We appreciate it and I know those that are being helped are so grateful! Together, we can further GOD'S WORD through the disaster relief outreach.

ITEMS STILL NEEDED -- YOU CAN HELP

I would like to tell you how blessed we are to be under the leadership of the elders at the Somerset Church of Christ in Somerset, Ohio. The elders are wonderful and so helpful in the needs of the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team. The whole congregation is very active as far as coming and volunteering and making up care packs. We also appreciate the care packs you made up for us personally :) The emails you send us brightens our day!!

If any of you are interested in helping send supplies our way, here is a list of items needed. Please just call or email and let us know the items are on their way :) Or if you are interested in making up "Packs of Love" care packs, let us know and we will email the list of items that go in each pack.
disasterrelief@hotmail.com 937-308-2259 (Laura's cell)

Personal Care Items
"NEW" undergarments (all sizes)
tarps and plastic cap nails
"NEW" baby and childrens clothes
medical supplies
all baby items: especially diapers and formula
School Supplies (especially calculators)

If you are able to help with any of these items, please let us know. We appreciate all of you so much!

WHY DON'T THEY LEAVE??

This man lives in Bayou La Batre. He stayed in his house during the hurricane. The water got up to 2" in the "attic"!! Food was taken to him by members of the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team.

We hear daily of many, many others just like him. These people have nowhere to go so they stay in these molding houses. They need help immediately or sickness will come upon them. There have been many offers from others all across the United States wanting to bring these people into their towns which is very generous. However, these ruined houses are all they have left, most have lived here all their lives, their families and jobs (if they are fortunate enough to still have a job) are all here. It is understandable why they don't want to up and move to another state. This is our opportunity to show them the LOVE OF CHRIST in a very real way by helping them get back on their feet. We give them food, along with the means to cook it and we work on their houses so they can live in them again. While we are doing this, we have the opportunity to share Christ with them. Please pray for these people and those of us working with them.

These tents are the "new" homes for now 

Wanda and Marge hard at work 

Pascagoula, Ms. house.  

Volunteers eating their evening meal 

GOD IS GOOD!!

I haven't blogged in a few days so it's about time I got to it!! :)
It has been very busy here at the Creekwood church of Christ. We currently have about 80 volunteers working and staying here at the building with 42 of them from Freed-Hardman University. God has given us wonderful volunteers to work with much is being accomplished.
Houses are being gutted (carpeting pulled, furniture moved out and drywall being torn down), trees are getting cut, communities are being fed and all glory goes to GOD our FATHER!!

Steve and Stacy Baxter, a wonderful couple from Maryland have been here for a week (in training) they are going to be working with us full time beginning in March or April (they are still working on getting support if you'd like to help, let us know) ANYWAY........they brought 2 wonderful ladies with them. The four of them were such a help and Melissa was baptized into Christ on Thursday night!! PRAISE GOD!! That makes 6 baptisms here at Creekwood in about 1-1/2 weeks!!

This week Mark and I are going to be going into areas we haven't gone before to assess damages and expand our volunteer help.

I will be leaving next Wed. for 5 days to be with our daughter and son-in-law while our grandson is undergoing some surgery due to a club foot he was born with. His name is Hunter...please keep him in your prayers, he is only 10 months old. Even though I won't be in Alabama, I will continuously be checking with Mark on progress being made and trying to keep up with the blogs, so please keep checking.

Have I mentioned in the past.........we need you?!?!? :)
Please, if you are able, come join us in this wonderful ministry. Whether it be for a day or months! :)

ONE THING I HAVE REALIZED

I am amazed as I think about all these people who have lost everything but yet are so eager to help each other. There have been times during past disasters when you have to really keep an eye on people because when we are handing things out to them, some will come and take anything and everything they can get. That has not been the case here. We have groups who have been handing out food, grills and charcoal. When they return they tell me the stories of families who are so excited to receive the grills and are so appreciative. They also told of families who say no thank you, we have a grill please give it to someone else who really needs it. One family said people have been delivering canned goods to them and they really appreciate it, but they have no way to cook them so they wanted to trade some of their canned goods for a grill.
You know, Whether it be volunteers or those we are helping we have met so many wonderful people in this area. I'm so glad this ministry is the one GOD put us into.

Today I am taking a large group of the volunteers into Biloxi to work. 2 from the N. Tampa church of Christ have been scouting the area for us over the past 2 days and really see a need there also. I'll be speaking with those at the church there to see what ways we can be of assistance to them. We will still have 2 groups staying here. 4 will be taking chain saws and cutting trees and another 5 will be staying to cook and serve food in the Bayou La Batre area.

We have11 additional volunteers who have come in to help. 3 are from the Frankfort, Ky. area, they've been willing to do "anything" including gutting out houses, thank you guys!! 2 are from the Red Oak Church of Christ in Petersburg,Tenn. they are excellent with the chain saws and we appreciate the donation they brought with them from the church!! We also have another 2 who arrived from the Newark, Ohio area. They are a blessing and willingly allowed us to put them to work immediately helping to serve the people in Bayou La Batre. We also have 4 who have come from Maryland!! Steve and Stacy have come to help and are in training and they've brought 2 others with them!! Steve and Stacy felt a calling to go into the disaster relief ministry after helping in Gulf Breeze, Fl. last year. They will be going "full-time" with us in March or April!!They are eagerly working to get support so if you know of a congregation who would like to help sponsor them, please get in contact with us. We thank GOD for them!! We appreciate ALL the volunteers who come our way!!

Donations have been coming our way and we appreciate it so much. There is so much that needs done. We are purchasing food to feed these communities, purchasing building material for those without insurance (which is many, most have hurricane ins. but not flood) and helping members who are in desperate need of financial assistance due to the loss of their belongings and/or jobs.

Please consider being a part by coming and volunteering and/or donating funding! Please mail all donations to: Somerset Church of Christ
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
P.O. Box 247
Somerset, Ohio 43783

What Would We Do Without You?!?!

As I sit here, I'm thinking about all the wonderful volunteers that are here working. This relief effort would not be possible without volunteers like the ones we have here now. I can't begin to describe how much it helps to have volunteers coming in who are willing to do "whatever it takes" and whatever is asked of them! It sure makes our job easier :)

The North Tampa group has gone "above and beyond". Not only have they been willing, but they've actually done the nasty, dirty work that is so needed. They have been out working in these nasty houses, they are also willing to be our "scouts" and go into areas we haven't been able to check out yet to get work lined up for other volunteers coming in. Thanks to all the North Tampa group, you all are great!!

The Melbourne group has done a tremendous job of going out and distributing food, clothing, personal care and cleaning items. Steve has graciously gone out with the "chainsaw" crews and done a fabulous job!! They've also done a great job of cooking and serving the community of Pascagoula. Not only that, but even after a 12 hour or so drive to get here they went right to work organizing the supplies that had arrived on trucks that day!! WOW!!

Marty is from Heritage Place Church of Christ. Marty is an electrician and is in high demand :)
He is also willing to do anything asked of him and is just a super guy to be around!! Thanks for being here Marty.

The Morris' are here from Abilene and even flew in for an extended weekend to help. They've been very busy distributing supplies and making up boxes of food items that don't need cooked to take out into the Pascagoula area. They are "high energy" people and get alot done in a short amount of time! We appreciate you two very much!!

Paul Hudson and Don and Rosemary Hudson are still here and continuing to "put up with us"!! I can't begin tell you what these 3 mean to us! They work so hard and have helped so many people. They take the time to go to the store for me everyday and purchase the food. Then they come back, cook the food and take it to the Bayou La Batre area and serve it. They are great at creating relationships with the people in Bayou La Batre.

Last but DEFINATELY not least are the fabulous, wonderful, terrific, amazing.....the list could go on and on.......cooks here at Creekwood who have been serving us meals every night!!! Even if you don't count the warm feeling you get from helping the people here in these devastated areas and all the appreciation you receive from them and the satisfaction of helping.....It's worth being here just to experience the evening meals and fellowship!! :)

Come on...join us.....we're waiting on you. :)

THEY HAVE ARRIVED!!!!

OUR FRIENDS HAVE ARRIVED!! The ones we knew from before and others we've just met.
We are so encouraged by everyone that comes in to volunteer. It is just the greatest thing to have such wonderful brothers and sisters from all over!! If you're reading this and haven't been here yet, we're still waiting on you to arrive!! We'll keep the lights on for ya!! :) 5 from the Melbourne, Fl., 7 from N. Tampa, 1 from Heritage Place, and 2 from North Alabama arrived tonight. I don't want to miss 1 from Gainesville, Fl. that arrived last night and just happens to be Don Hudson's brother. How can 1 family be so blessed to have 2 terrific men? I should add, mine is just as blessed, I also have 2 terrific brothers!! :)

Today Mark and I unfortunately weren't able to get away to check out the Bayou LaBatre area. So we sent out our scouts :) 5 went to Bayou LaBatre with chicken sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, chips and dessert. They were able to serve about 250 but ran out of food. They came back in a somber mood. As Don began to explain the situation to us, it became apparent that we just "have" to get back over there.They have no food and no housing, they are sleeping in their front yards. Their livlihood is fishing, and now they have no boats. Their houses are still there but have been completely flooded. As one man put it, he saw the upper part of a boat near the electric wires. That is a huge surge! The "talk of the town" is that they won't be allowed to rebuild their houses unless they are on stilts. These people have no money to rebuild especially if they have to put their houses on stilts. We will be talking to city officials there tomorrow to see what can be done. FEMA and the people of Bayou LaBatre were promised we'd be back tomorrow. So tomorrow Lord-Willing, we will be serving in Pascagoula and Bayou LaBatre. The menu will be Spaghetti, green beans, rolls, dessert and drinks.

As you can see there is such a need to help these people. It is very costly cooking for this many people everyday, but if we don't cook, they don't eat. Please consider this yourselves, talk to others, talk to your congregations about helping to support this ministry. It is desperately needed!

Tomorrow (Friday) we will have crews out cutting trees, cooking and serving food, helping people to move their waterlogged belongings out of their houses and sorting food, personal items, clothing, etc. Please keep this effort and these victims of Hurricane Katrina in your prayers. This is such an awesome opportunity to reach out to these "friends we haven't met yet" and show them the "LOVE of CHRIST".

Please keep checking our website www.churchesofchristdrt.org we will continuously be posting new pictures.

Please forward donations to: Somerset Church of Christ
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
P.O. Box 247
Somerset, Ohio 43783
740-743-2313

The Electric Is Getting Hooked Up So Why Don't People Have Lights?

We spent another evening in Pascagoula, Ms. serving meals to the community. If you've never done this, this is a feeling you've just got to experience. Everyone is so grateful to (as they put it) eat a "real" meal. Last night's meal was barbeque chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert.
They are telling us in Pascagoula that some more of the power will be on Friday or Saturday. This sounds great, however it doesn't mean much to the thousands who need carpet pulled out, furniture removed, drywall torn down and outlets rewired before they can even think about having electric at their houses. This is just one town....there are many more just like it. If you are able to come and volunteer whether you're skilled in these areas or not you can be used to help these people and further HIS Kingdom. Many of them could just use a hug and know you are praying for them.
Mark and I are going to the Bayou La Batre area today to see what can be done for this community. We'll let you know more in the next blog.

THE FIRST WORD IS AWESOME

Awesome is the first word that comes to mind when I think of yesterday.

We spent most of the day on the phones calling for volunteers and organizing tool trailers, little things like that. But then the time came to go to Pascagoula to cook!! It was awesome!!
We never know how many to prepare for so yesterday was our "practice" day :)
Don, Rosemary, Mark, Ashley and I set up grills in the yard at the Central COC in Pascagoula. Some of the teens from here at Creekwood had made signs that read "FREE MEALS" If you know Don Hudson, you'll really be able to appreciate this......Don was out in the road practically stopping traffic getting them to come in and eat. It was AWESOME!! We fed probably close to 150 people within 2 hours. They were so appreciative and they all just kept expressing the fact that they've just been "eating out of cans" or MRE's. Others were afraid to leave their homes because of the possiblity of looting, so a couple from the Central church fixed up "to go" boxes and took them out into the community. Today will be chicken!! We are going to prepare for 300. I'm sure each day the number of people showing up will increase.

We have volunteers coming in starting tomorrow to help work on the houses, we need so many more of you!!
If you're thinking of volunteering.......we sure could use you!! There is so much to do. Let's work together to show the Love of the Lord while we reach out through disaster relief.

Give us a call at 937-308-2259 to volunteer or for questions. You may also call the Somerset church office at 740-743-2313.

I'M REMINDED ONCE AGAIN

Yesterday was bittersweet for us. We had a group of about 50-60 volunteers mostly from the Creekwood COC and a wonderful couple from Memphis, Tn. that worked in the Pascagoula area. Many worked inside the Central COC helping remove carpet and the others helped neighbors around the church building. They all did such a wonderful job serving our LORD!! We also had an awesome meal that was prepared for us when we returned to the Creekwood COC. Thank you so much Ladies, it was delicious!! Especially those green beans! :)

It feels so good to be able to help, but oh how we wish it wasn't under these circumstances.
Our first stop in Pascagoula was at the Central COC where we divided into groups and started working, some at the church building and some at neighbors around the building.

Mark and I noticed a man 2 houses down from the building that kept coming into the street and looking down our way. We walked down and asked him if he needed any help with his house. He said no and that he was ok. Mark preceeded to ask him if he had pulled the carpet out of his house, he just broke down and admitted he hadn't been able to do anything yet. He just didn't know where to begin. This man was most likely in his 40's and it was evident (and he said so) that he is usually "in control" of situations but with this one, he had no idea what to do or where to begin. He told us how he and his mother (who is on dialysis) had stayed during the hurricane, they ended up in the attic when they had 4' of water come into the house from the surge (this is where he broke down again, thinking of his mother, he said he is so grateful that his sister came and got her after all this.) He agreed to let our group pull the carpet out of his mothers house, assuring him that they would be very careful with her "houseful of antiques". He didn't want to put them outside as he was afraid that someone would loot. He will realize soon that these antiques that were once beautiful (dark cherry) did not survive. (the wood will start swelling soon) He just isn't ready to accept that fact yet. He kept saying how he couldn't afford to pay us and asking what his obligation to us is now. We assured him, we wouldn't take any money and that there was no obligation. However........the church 2 doors down from him would LOVE to see him at services some time when their building opened back up :) He told us it had been years since he has set foot in a church building but he felt like it was probably time he did that again. After the group was done pulling the carpet out of his house, he told us (and it was evident) that he felt so much better and he was so glad we helped him. Please keep him in your prayers!! Oh yes.........I remember once again why we're involved in this ministry!!

Another part of the group went to a ladies house that lives near the Central COC minister. She has lukemia and lives by herself. They helped her, then found out she had slept on her bed the night before that had been flooded. She asked them to take her couch to the screen (actually screenless after Katrina) porch so she could sleep on it. The couch had also been flooded, they explained to her that this was a huge health hazard and took her an air mattress that we had in one of our tool trailers to sleep on. She was so grateful when they were finished for the day. She said she was in her 80's and no one had ever done anything like this for her before. We will still go back and continue to help her with her needs. Please pray for her!! Oh yes........I remember once again why we're involved in this ministry!!

Another couple returned to their house for the first time. We were with them as they opened the door and were backed up by the stench of the water/sewage that had invaded their home and was now molding their carpet and belongings. They were able to salvage a charcoal drawing of Christ on the cross hanging on the wall that the husband had drawn. The men helped him open the windows and doors to let it air out. This was all that could be done this day until it aired out. We will return and help them also. Please keep them in your prayers! Oh yes........I remember once again why we're involved in this ministry!!

We received a call from one of the elders at the Somerset church of Christ (our base operations) He told Mark of a 3rd grade boy named Kyle that gave his birthday money to help the victims of this horrible disaster. Kyle, these people are so grateful to you for your generosity!! Oh yes.....I remember once again why we're involved in this ministry!!

I realize this is long, but it is therapy for me :) We believe wholeheartedly in this ministry. I can't wait to get out there today and meet more friends that I can introduce to Christ!
Believe me there are many more stories but I'll save them for another day (and this was just the first day in Pascagoula!!) Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to do the will of Christ.

Rejoicing in the Lord

Sunday

We worshiped with the Creekwood church today. There were 2 wonderful services and praise GOD we now have 2 new sisters and 2 new brothers in Christ!! We rejoice with them and their families.

We have met such awesome people in our disaster relief journey. Right now I'm thinking and missing Paul and Kim, Don and Debby, Skip, Roiki and Sherry, Ron, Rod, Rob and Debbie......I could go on and on with names of those we've met and care deeply for. We have now met more awesome brothers and sisters in Christ in Mobile, Alabama and Baton Rouge, La. I feel so totally blessed by all the wonderful friends we've made along our journey. The church here in Mobile has such a giving heart. They are wanting to reach out to the surrounding communities and we feel so blessed to be here with them. David Sargeant and his family so graciously took us out to lunch today. They are a terrific family and we really enjoy his sermons!
We've met so many wonderful people at the South Baton Rouge, La church. We haven't forgotten about you, we will be calling tomorrow and should be there by the end of the week to see what we can do to help.

Today was spent emailing and calling for volunteers and supplies. Boy do we need volunteers in the worst way. There is so much to do.

Tomorrow we are taking a group from the Creekwood church into Pascagoula and working on some of the members homes. We will also be meeting with John Dobbs, the minister at the Pascagoula church to see what the needs are for him and his congregation.

I will be putting pictures of the area on here (if I can figure it out) :) I know basic computer that's about it.

Don and Rosemary-----We miss you and can't wait till you get here!! :)
We appreciate so much your service for the LORD!! You are such and encouragement to us.

Feel free to leave comments for us. We'd love to hear from you!!

Hurricane Katrina Recovery

Saturday, Sept. 3

We were blessed by meeting with other brothers and sisters at the South Baton Rouge Church of Christ yesterday. We were meeting to network and share ideas for helping as many as we can in the disaster recovery. It's good to know there are so many out there in the brotherhood that can be counted on and who show the "Love of our Lord" in such amazing ways.
We parted ways after the meeting each going to work on their area of expertise. We were able to give a few ideas to the wonderful coordinators at South Baton Rouge and assured them that we would return soon to help them with the set up of their relief effort.

We had already talked to Creekwood COC in Mobile, Alabama and told them that we would come in to see in what way we can help them set up their relief effort. We arrived here about 9:00 pm. last night. We met with David Sargent and 2 of the elders here this morning and discussed what areas they would like to focus on in their relief. We agreed to stay and help get things set up. We will be going to the Pascagoula and Biloxi areas tomorrow afternoon and Monday morning to assess the needs there.
We are planning on taking grills and cookers into the neighborhoods and preparing food for the community. They have no food or electricity to cook for themselves. We will most likely start calling volunteers on Monday to come in and work. We will need many.
The building here at Creekwood is perfectly arranged for a relief effort. There is room to store donations and plenty of room for volunteers to stay. They have 2 showers (that's luxury if you've been to many disaster efforts!!) and 3 kitchens.

Sooooo.......If you are able to volunteer in any way.....WE NEED YOU!!!

These are just a few of the areas we need volunteers for:

Cook Food for community and volunteers
Help Deliver food boxes
Help with clean up, tree removal, tarping roofs, etc.
Help clean up tools
Run errands
Call other congregations for more volunteers/funding
Sort loose food that comes in and put food boxes together.
Sort clothing.

Please contact us through this blog if you are able to help.