WHO IS NEEDED IN BRIDGE CITY??

DRT continues to be very busy here in Bridge City distributing supplies, cooking and serving meals, gutting out houses and in some cases we're beginning to install new sheetrock.

We still have people coming in to the center signing up for assistance for the 1st time. Many have been trying to make it on their own without getting assistance but they're realizing that they really need the help. Once they get here we have the opportunity to make them feel at home. Others are still just finding out by word of mouth that the assistance is available. We're also seeing that some are still sleeping in cars as well as tents. It's been very slow getting in FEMA houses. (they don't do trailers anymore, these are like extremely small shed type houses)

It's also been getting cold at night so we've been giving out quite a few blankets, warm clothing and electric heaters.

There is a Family Fun Day planned for this Saturday here. We're hoping for a good turn out from the community. We want them to just take some time off from working on their houses and come out and listen to some music from the country bands that are coming in as well as food vendors that will be here, clowns, etc. will be here as well. All will be free to the public.

I know you're wondering what is still needed......... :)

Well.....we need YOU!! We are in desperate need of volunteers for all areas. Below is just a sample of some of the areas that we need volunteers for. Is this something you can do?? I'm sure you can find something on this list you can help with. :)

Pray (for those affected by the storm and for those ministering to them)

Working On Houses (gutting houses, disinfecting, installing sheetrock, electrical, plumbing, etc.)

Delivering Supplies to Houses

Distributing Supplies (filling orders and loading supplies in cars, etc.)

Interviewers for Distribution (helping to fill out forms, etc.)

Clothing (stocking, sorting, sizing, helping clients find sizes, etc.)

Cleaning (wash dishes, clean showers, restrooms, floors, etc.)

Computer Work (data Entry)

Greeters (Greet the community as they come in to the center, sit and talk with them, listen, etc.)

Bible Studies (talk to those coming in about a Bible Study and holding a study)

Remember.....this is just a sample of the things that need done.

As you can see, WE NEED YOU!! How about coming and spending Thanksgiving with us?

You are officially invited to "our house" for Thanksgiving this year!! Everyone of you! Now how can you turn that down?!?! ;) Just go to the website http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/ and r.s.v.p. on the volunteer sign up form and we'll be all set. :)

I know one thing.....It will be one of the most rewarding Thanksgivings you will have ever had.
You will also realize just how much you have to be thankful for in a whole new way! Come share with us!

FIRES IN CALIFORNIA

Fires are once again burning in California.

There are currently 3 fires burning a total of approx. 5,400 acres in Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties.

Approx. 10,000 people have been evacuated. So far about 700 houses have burned including approx. 600 mobile homes in a senior mobile home park.

We are keeping a close eye on the situation as we continue to work here in Bridge City, Texas.

If you have information on the fires or have been affected by them, please contact me at

937-308-2259.

If you would like up to the minute updates, please follow me on twitter.com by clicking on the link to the right.

DISASTER RELIEF IN BRIDGE CITY GOING STRONG

Well.....I've made it back to Bridge City, Texas after spending 5 days in chilly Ohio spending time with my mother, kids and grandbabies :) My mom is doing great following her radiation treatment for her 3rd bout of breast cancer. The first being 30 years ago. I appreciate all the concern and prayers from so many of you!! My kids are as great as ever and my grandchildren.....well......what can I say......they're just perfect!! If you have grandchildren, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I have 6 of 'em all aged 6 and under what fun it is!!

OK.....enough about me ;)

Things have been very busy here at the COC center in Bridge City. Many are coming in for supplies daily, hundreds of meals are being served daily (between 600 - 800 daily) volunteers are working gutting out houses as well as putting up sheetrock in houses that have already been gutted and dried out.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I plan to head to Galveston to check on things there as well as head over to the beach for a little while. I hope to take some time to sit and watch the waves and to focus and just sit and reflect.
I will also be heading to Galveston Island to check on the situation there and to look up a brother of a church member.

Please continue to keep all those affected by this storm in your prayers as well as considering a trip to volunteer. VOLUNTEERS and PRAYERS are desperately needed!!

DRT VOLUNTEERS

I'm sitting at the airport and realized I've left most of the pictures on an external hard drive back in Texas so I'll have to post more pics when I return to Bridge City tomorrow.

I'll also be telling you about a wedding that took place at our site between two DRT people a couple of weeks ago :) You never know what Love you'll find when working with DRT ;)

I'm still in Ohio spending some time with my mom and thought I better go ahead and get another update in before I am "on the road again".

Many of you have been asking what items are needed in Bridge City. For the most part, we are able to purchase what is needed and we can usually get things at a bulk rate discount but I do have a few items that are needed. There are a couple ways of doing this.
1. Gather items and bring them or ship them.
2. Donate funds for DRT to purchase the items at a bulk rate.
Either way is appreciated!!

Electric Heaters
New Jackets (mens, womens, childrens)
New Christmas Ornaments


We also still need funding to continue. We are beginning to purchase and install sheetrock, water heaters, flooring, doors, windows, trim, paint, etc.
We are also continuing to serve approx. 800 meals daily to the community.
No matter how much or how little you can contribute, all of us working together is what it takes to help get the disaster survivors back into their homes.

Check back here tomorrow or Wednesday----look for pictures of some of our volunteers, see if you can find yourself or someone you know. :-)

Until We Meet Again--

Have a Great Week!!

BRIDGE CITY STATS

I've taken a couple days to come to Ohio for my grandson "Hunter's" 4th birthday party.

Soooo.....being away from the fast pace of disaster relief in Bridge City, Texas I thought (as well as those of you who have (lovingly, I'm sure) ;) been nudging me to update the blog and website) that this would be a good time to focus.......and give you some updates on life in Bridge City, Texas.

It does get very busy at the disaster site and time is just not available to update as I would like. I recently put together some stats and thought y'all might be interested in hearing them.

Many people are being helped thanks to so many of you who are praying, sending supplies, volunteering your time to work in the distribution center and on houses, sending monetary donations, cooking, counseling, setting up Bible Studies, the list goes on and on........

We are continuing to work with the Bridge City Church of Christ, 9th and Elm Church of Christ, Broadway Church of Christ, Anahuac Church of Christ

Houses are beginning to "dry out" so volunteers are now beginning to install sheetrock. Please remember though that many still don't have the flooded sheetrock and possessions tore out yet which means mold is still in the houses and many people are still living in tents and in vehicles.

The following are the stats for the DRT Center in Bridge City, Texas to date.......

Over 1800 families have been assisted.

Approx. 50 houses have been worked on.

Approx. 400 out of town volunteers (1st time counted only, many have returned several times)

Approx. 21,800 meals served.

THE CHURCH IS BECOMING KNOWN AND THE LORD IS BEING GLORIFIED IN BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS!!! No matter where we go in the Bridge City area we "overhear" people making comments to each other such as...... The Church of Christ is the closest thing to GOD that they have ever known. The community just can't believe they are receiving so much help from the church........and it's ALL FREE!! I WISH YOU COULD ALL BE HERE TO "OVERHEAR" THESE COMMENTS :) This is because of so many of you have allowed GOD to work through you. We've had such wonderful volunteers from the local congregations as well as terrific volunteers who have traveled great distances to Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In You Through Your Actions. You're working harder than you've ever worked for no physical pay, you cry with those who cry, you listen to those who need to tell their stories over and over, you get very little sleep at night on an air mattress in a dorm with many others (who may not be sleeping quite so quietly) ;) You build relationships with the people you're working with as you talk to them about the Lord. YOU are an encouragement to me. I APPRECIATE YOU and thank my GOD for you!!