TALK ABOUT A GOD THING.........

Talk about a "GOD" thing....have I got stories for you!...........
First let me say that GOD is truly blessing this ministry. Without GOD none of this would be possible. It is so awesome to stand right here and see GOD work!

CASE #1

Last week I checked to see what items were needed in Cedar Rapids (as you remember, I'm still in Ohio helping my mother who has a recurrence of breast cancer) well anyway........they said they were going to be needing cleaning supplies, especially bleach. I hadn't yet put the word out about that need whenI received a call from a newspaper in Fort Dodge, IA. Her name was Regina and she said that they wanted to put a semi out in front of a store to allow the customers to donate items that we needed. "What do you need most", she asked........hmmmm let me think...CLEANING SUPPLIES AND BLEACH!! Well, this morning I received a call about 9:30 am from the semi driver that he was a block away with a semi load of cleaning supplies, etc. YEP......a "GOD" thing!! Of course, He took care of that need.

CASE #2

Saturday Mark called me. "Just checking on the funding", he said. "We are in need of more generators to run the fans and dehumidifiers in these houses" .......I checked on things (funding is still low) and we agreed that if he could get a good sized discount for purchasing 3-4 generators that he should go ahead. WELL..........about 1/2 an hour later in walks a man with a semi........He is with Harbour Contractors Inc. out of Plainville, IL. He tells how he had a semi load of new, ("very good quality", Mark tells me in a SUPER EXCITED tone of voice.) tools (generators, power sprayers, etc.) He said before he left home he and his brother prayed to GOD to direct them to the right organization to donate these tools to. He first stopped at FEMA, they said they couldn't accept them......his next stop was Red Cross who said they couldn't accept them but that we were accepting donations and sent him to us. YEP, $40,000 - $50,000 worth of tools donated and just the items we needed. Don't tell me that's not a "GOD" thing!! We are thankful to and praising our LORD!!

CASE #3

I talked to Mark today. (imagine that!) :) He was telling about a need that they had today for baby items and how (Dawn - from the church in Cedar Rapids) had just received a call from a lady that wanted to donate money but she really wanted it to go for........you guessed it.........INFANT ITEMS!! Another "GOD" thing you ask?!?!?
I BELIEVE SO!!! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! PRAISE GOD for providing what is needed.

I'm sure I'll have many more to tell you about, these were just the ones in the last couple of days! :) I'm sure there's more that I don't even know about.
GOD IS GOOD!


Below are pics of some of the DRT volunteers in Cedar Rapids, IA.

SHIRLEY CARD - SIDNEY, OHIO-(MID-COUNTY CHURCH OF CHRIST-TROY, OHIO) -WORKING IN CEDAR RAPIDS


VOLUNTEERS IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. MORE VOLUNTEERS

This is Richard.

How Many Richards Can We Help?!?!

His name is Richard. He lives in Cedar Rapids, IA. and Richard has cancer.
Richard is like so many others in the flood stricken areas in the Midwest. They all have their stories to tell, their stories are all different but yet the same.

Richard relays to the needs assessor for DRT how he has beaten cancer once and now that it has returned and become 2 different types of cancer he says he will beat it again. Richard is optimistic even though he has just been through a horrible ordeal with the flood in Cedar Rapids. Richard had just purchased all new appliances about (1) year ago........then the rains came. It flooded his basement........then it continued until it had flooded 4-5 feet on the first floor of his home. All appliances (among other things) are now gone.

Richard's story is touching and pulls at the heartstrings. Yet this story is typical of so many in the Midwest. Over 5,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. So many have no insurance. Many were not in flood zones at all or were in 500 yr. flood zones. THEY NEED YOUR HELP!!

PLEASE consider taking the time to volunteer. Let's help them get their homes cleaned out and rebuilt. Let's help give them hope. Let's help them get through this. Let's show them THE LOVE OF JESUS!

Housing is provided at the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids. DRT will provide continental breakfast, lunch and evening meals. DRT also has air mattresses available as well as towels for the showers. (this will help to give you more room in your vehicles to bring more people!!) :)
The work is there waiting on you. People are counting on us as christians to help them. We can't let them down. This is our opportunity to reach out to them to teach of Jesus' Love for them.

Please fill out the volunteer sign up form on our website: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/
You may email or call me with any questions you have. disasterrelief@hotmail.com
937-308-2259 Laura

WORK IN CEDAR RAPIDS

The relief effort is underway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. DRT is working with the Central Church of Christ there and they are doing a tremendous job of pulling together and working for the LORD through disaster relief.

The distribution of supplies began yesterday as well as volunteers helping move belongings of a member of the church there. DRT coordinators are also checking out jobs that need done.

Over 5,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed with MANY not having insurance. Much help is needed. PLEASE consider coming and volunteering for this great work, YOU ARE NEEDED!!

Another levee has been breached in Missouri and additional towns are flooding. We'll keep you posted as we have updates.

OK, WE NEED YOU!!!!! :)

These pictures were taken at Jeff and Becky Lentz's home, they live in the city of Palo, Iowa about 10 miles north of Cedar Rapids. The pictures you see are typical of the damage done in this area, However Jeff and Becky'shome sits on a higher plain then the rest of the town (and these are newer homes). The older homes built in town closer to the river were completely wiped out and may not be salvageable and most are not able to get to there homes yet. This is a small community of about 1500 that sits along the Cedar river there are several such cities from Waterloo to point's South, so, as you can imagine there is a tremendous need for help.We have other's in our Church family that live in Cedar Rapids, the picture's would be the same the pain and concern that comes with this type of disaster is also the same.We look forward to any help you may be able to offer, as you may know we have devoted much time and effort helping people in Parkersburg Iowa (F-5Tornado victims) just north West of Cedar Rapids, we are aware of how to send teams out for a day or two to help people, but then we come home and were done, we pray for and have concern for these people, but as hard as it is to say it doesn't hurt like when it hit's your family... Sometimes the shock of what's happened prevents you from knowing what to do.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! We will be praying for everyone on your team who will be traveling to Iowa.
Maurice (Moe) Colby
Elder
Cedar Rapids Church of Christ.

5 of our DRT Coordinators are now in Cedar Rapids, IA. working with the Central Church of Christ. Monday (tomorrow) is the 1st day of operations.

What does that mean, you ask?!?!?! ............
That means we are ready and now all we need is........YOU!!!!!

Housing is available for our volunteers in the church building, DRT supplies 3 daily meals, great fellowship and the work is ready and just waiting for you :)

The first phase will consist of distribution of supplies and clean up of homes. The DRT has a tool trailer and supply trailer on site. The shower trailer will arrive tomorrow. The DRT supply trailer contains new small household appliances, care packs and new clothing to be distributed to the community.

One thing that is very important to us is to make sure that the community knows that the help is coming from the "local" congregation. When DRT goes into a disaster area, we "become" part of the local congregation as we work with them. That way when it's time for DRT to leave the disaster area the community knows not of DRT but of the local church.
It's very important to us that the local congregation gets the "credit" for the work accomplished and GOD receives the glory.

Please see the website for a list of items needed and keep checking back here for updates.

On A Personal Note..........

Before I get into more information about the midwest floods I'd like to ask a personal request of you.

I will not be heading to Iowa with the rest of our coordinators for awhile. I will be staying in Ohio helping my mother and taking her back and forth to Columubus for appointments, etc. As some of you know, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy 30 years ago. She had a recurrance 10 years ago in her scar (for those of you who have had breast cancer or know someone who has......PLEASE examine your scars also. This is not common but can happen.)
My mother recently noticed a change once again in her scar and went in for an MRI. It did show a mass in her chest wall near her ribs. I am sitting in the waiting room as I write this while she is having a biopsy to determine if she has had yet another recurrance of cancer. She's a little more apprehensive this time (my father passed away about 5 years ago so she doesn't have him here with her this time)
Please lift her up to the Father in your prayers. She has had such a tremendous influence on my day to day life as well as my spiritual life. She is truly a woman of GOD. If you would like to send her a card of encouragement, it would mean so much to both of us!

Janet Baker
19371 Knox Lake Rd.
Fredericktown, Ohio 43019

FLOODING--

Several more levees have been breached threatening towns in Illinois and Missouri.
This is a large scale disaster and your help is desperately needed.

The elders of the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids have asked for our assistance and with your help we all can help them reach out to their communities.
Please fill out the volunteer form on our website.
As always we will have a place for volunteers to stay, we will provide your meals and the work will be lined up and ready for you when you arrive.
Our shower trailer will be coming to Cedar Rapids from our base camp in Florida.
Feel free to email or call with further questions.
(Laura -disasterrelief@hotmail.com or 937-308-2259)

Most importantly, please keep those affected by the floods and those that are ministering to them in your prayers.

Great things will be accomplished through our LORD in these trying times. Remember to always give GOD the praise and glory.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

DRT is working with the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids, IA. following the recent flooding of much of their city.

Volunteers and financial donations are needed for this and other flooded areas.
To volunteer, please fill out the volunteer form on our website.

http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org

Donations can be made through our website or by postal mail to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
Melbourne Church of Christ
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904

Please watch this blog and the website for further information.
Most of all please keep those affected by the floods in your prayers as well as those ministering to them.

Midwest Flooding

 

Many of you have done such an amazing work for the LORD in past disasters by partnering with DRT to help those in need and we thank our GOD for you!

Once again, we come to you with the news of flooding in the Midwest. Many of our brothers and sisters have been affected by these floods. TENS OF THOUSANDS of people are out of their homes and MANY have no flood insurance.

We appeal to you today to PLEASE once again, partner with DRT to reach out to our Christian brothers and sisters in need as well as helping them reach out to their communities through disaster relief.

DRT brings to the disaster areas trained coordinators to help the local congregations set up a relief effort. DRT provides tool trailers, shower trailer, mobile kitchen as well as RV's for use by volunteers. Some of the ways DRT helps congregations in disaster areas reach out to their communities is by providing home cooked meals, basic necessities, volunteer labor and helping provide building material for those without insurance. DRT's main goal is to build relationships with those being assisted and to be able to reach out to them through example and by teaching the Good News of our LOVING LORD AND SAVIOR.

*****Due to so many disasters this year as well as last year, DRT's funding is down considerably. Your donations are URGENTLY needed to help with transportation of equipment as well as the above services and goods that DRT provides in disaster areas.

Please watch our website for opportunities to volunteer and please keep those affected by these disasters and those ministering to them in your prayers.

Donations can be made online through our website:
http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org

 

Or by postal mail to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

Melbourne Church of Christ

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, Florida 32904

 

Your caring is such an encouragement to us as well as those in the disaster areas!

TORNADOES, FLOODS AND FIRES

Many weather related disasters are taking place around the country.

Flooding is taking place in Kent Co., Delaware.

Please keep the survivors of the tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and fires in your prayers.

The following is the lastest information from WESH on the wildfires in Florida.

Volusia County
An 800 to 1,000 acre brush fire is burning in the northwest area of Daytona Beach along LPGA Boulevard.
The fire is 20 percent contained.
The first call of the fire was received at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.
The brush fire forced the closure of all traffic on LPGA Boulevard between Williamson Boulevard and International Speedway Boulevard.
Authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation for 500 homes in the LPGA International subdivision until 9 a.m. Monday.
The voluntary evacuation ordered for about 200 homes in the Bayberry Colony subdivision has been lifted.
About 50 firefighters and nine engines will work Monday to improve fire breaks created around the fire.
Winds are blowing embers away from the fire and starting additional spot fires.
Red Cross shelter established for evacuees at the Hampton Inn at 1715 W. International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
The City of Daytona Beach has established a hot line for evacuated residents at 386-671-5347.
Brevard County
Interstate 95 is open in Brevard County.
Motorists are urged to use caution when driving in the area of Interstate 95 and S.R. 524.
Firefighters are battling a 250-acre brush fire in Cocoa near Cox Road, Friday Road, state Road 524 and Satellite Boulevard.
Firefighters had to evacuate home and business owners as the brush fire came close to structures.
The fire is not under control.
No injuries have been reported, but at least one building in Cocoa was destroyed.
Brush fires were blamed for some power outages in the Cocoa area.
Firefighters have been on scene since approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Heavy smoke may be present at times and emergency vehicles are entering and exiting the area.
The brush fires near Malabar in southern Brevard County have burned 1,900 acres.
Sheriff's deputies closed the area near U.S. Highway 1 and Malabar Road to both northbound and southbound traffic.
U.S. 192 in Melbourne is closed.
Seven brush fires in Palm Bay are considered suspicious in nature.
The fires are burning in the area of St. Andre Boulevard.
Residents in Palm Bay were allowed to return to their homes late Sunday night.
Brevard County Fire Rescue has activated a brush fire hotline. That number is (321) 937-5550.

Tornadoes AGAIN.............

(Picher, OK)

Severe storms are once again making their way across the midwest into the eastern U.S.

So far tornadoes have hit Picher, OK., Missouri and Georgia and warnings are currently in many other states as well.

DRT is currently making assessments and checking into these areas. We will keep you updated.

MIDWEST FLOODING

Flooding is currently affecting the states of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will keep the blog updated as we get infomation in. If you are in an area affected by the flooding please contact us by phone or email.
disasterrelief@hotmail.com or info@churchesofchristdrt.org

937-308-2259 or 937-308-0035

Flooding in Ellington, Missouri

PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA PICTURES

DRT work site coordinator-- Jimmy Nichols, tarping roofs in Prattville, Alabama.

Mike Manley, member of Prattville Church of Christ about 1 hour after the storm.

Looking through the front door of Manley's house. The back wall is blown out.

Brick home totally demolished.

Same home as above. The man and wife walked out of this rubble. Church members prayed with them to thank GOD for their safety.

Prattville Church of Christ minister, Brent Missildine and church member Sammy Huggins working on roof of Huggins' home.

EARTHQUAKES AND TORNADOES

(WELLS, NEVADA) EARTHQUAKE
There was a 6.0 magnitude earthquake near Wells, NV. this morning. Some damage reports are beginning to come in to the USGS. So far we know that there are reports of damage to buildings including 1 building that has collapsed. It is a sparsely populated area. I will update as more information becomes available.

PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA
Volunteers worked late last night tarping roofs, etc. before the rains started.
Many in the community are being helped through the clean up phase and the LORD is being glorified.

ANOTHER PRATTVILLE UPDATE

Mark spent this morning in a planning meeting with the churches in Prattville, Alabama. Between 2 of the local congregations in Prattville we now know of (2) church families whose homes have been totally destroyed and (12) families who have had significant damage.

An update on what is currently being done in the Prattville area:

DISTRIBUTION PHASE:
** Food and supplies are being hand delivered as well as distributed from the local YMCA.

CLEAN UP PHASE:
**Volunteers are helping with the following:
*Packing up belongings
*Boarding up windows before the coming rains
*Cleaning up debris and brush

PRATTVILLE UPDATE

Mark is on his way to Prattville, Alabama to work with 2 of the local congregations. Jimmy Nichols arrived there yesterday and helped unload a truck from Nashville. Mark and Jimmy will be helping them get their relief efforts set up, from there we will decide if we need to bring any more of our coordinators into the Prattville area.


We received a call earlier today from some of our volunteers from the Richmond, KY. area. They are heading to La Fayette, TN this weekend to work with the church there following the tornado that went through that area. We will update you on the situation there when they arrive.

Ashley and I are here in Gatlinburg to set up the DRT booth at CYC. If you're in town for this please come by our booth and say hi!!

MORE TORNADOES

Once again tornadoes have ripped through the southern states yesterday.
Prattville, Alabama was hit pretty hard with approx. 200 houses and 100 businesses affected.
So far we know of (1) church family that had a total loss of their house and (6) church families with damage to their houses.
We will be giving more updates as we have them.

If you would like to donate to help with the tornadoes as well as future disasters you may do so through our website at: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/
or by postal mail to:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904

TENNESSEE

Mark, Ashley and I are on the road traveling from California to Tennessee.

We've been in contact with several areas that have been affected by the recent tornadoes.
We've been in contact with the church in Moultin, AL. and Jimmy (our work crew coordinator) is there working with them.
Frank Bradford (Freed-Hardeman) (Frank has worked with us for quite some time and is very experienced) He is working in the Jackson, TN. area.

We also have someone checking the Memphis area and we'll let you know about that area as soon as we know.

The Church of Christ in Greenville, Ky. has agreed to work in the Central City area.

We will continue to do what we can to assist those in these disaster areas.
***************************
The following are dates scheduled where Mark and I will be with the DRT booth and literature. If you're going to be in these areas, please stop by and say hello!! :)

FEBRUARY 15-17
Winterfest --
Gatlinburg, TN



FEBRUARY 22-24
CYC--
Gatlinburg, TN



MARCH 27-29
ISWW --
Tulsa, OK



APRIL 29-MAY 2
Pepperdine Lectureship
Pepperdine Campus
Malibu, California

Church Services at COCC. We had 30 in attendance.

This is Ben. Ask him about his Pandas. :)

Volunteers from the Richland Rd. Church of Christ in Marion, Ohio.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

I Know....I know.....You didn't think I was ever going to sit down and write in the blog again, did you?!?! :)

It's going to take awhile to get caught up. Things have been VERY busy for the DRT.

We are stationed in Barrett Junction, CA. We're working with the San Diego area churches of Christ following the recent wildfires.

We have set up a "tent city" area here in the back country. It is called the Churches of Christ Center (COCC). We are housing people who have been affected by the fires and need a place to stay. We're also providing over 1200 meals per week to the survivors of the fires here in this area.
We have a large distribution area where we provide supplies. We have volunteers going out to work with the families on their houses and lots and we have worship services here every Sunday. We've been having about 30-35 in attendance every Sunday. Another service we provide is showers and a laundry trailer. This has been a wonderful benefit to the community, they've had no electric or water and many are still staying in tents on their property.

Shirley Mansfield is in charge of registration. She has set up an awesome system and has everything on computer. Her husband Harry is in charge of making sure all of the generators are filled. (these are large generators that provide power to everything we have here as well as pumping in heat and air conditioning to the tents that people are staying in.) He makes sure our drink containers are always full in our dining tent as well as doing "a little bit of everything else" :) Mike Baumgartner works in the distribution tent and is doing a wonderful job of helping people with their daily needs as well as some occassional cooking. Marge Wood is our onsite bookkeeper as well as helping with meals, keeping the dining tent clean and supplied, washing towels from the kitchen and showers and many other things that are done "behind the scenes". Jimmy Nichols is in charge of taking the vounteer groups out to the job sites and keeping our trash emptied :) he is always keeping us laughing. He never has a negative comment and is a joy to everyone.

Tune back in for the update on our Christmas Party.

GREAT NEWS IN FINDLAY, OHIO

There have been close to 600 people helped so far here in Findlay, Ohio.
Since my last post we've had volunteers from the Mid-County Church of Christ in Troy, Ohio, Marion, Ohio, and another group from Norval Park Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio. We currently have a group from the Cox Blvd. Church of Christ in Sheffield, AL. and tomorrow have groups coming from Richmond Church of Christ in Richmond, KY. and from the Southgate Church of Christ. Saturday we have a couple coming from Huntsville, AL that will be bringing supplies.

We are so thankful to ALL of you who are praying, coming and working, bringing supplies, sending monetary donations, etc.

THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS!!! We are having visitors that we have been helping from the community at each of the worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays. PRAISE GOD!!!!
Our prayer is that the church here will continue with the follow up and that souls will be added to the Lords church.