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.