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