FARGO, ND

Sid has had many people stopping by the DRT exhibit at ISWW in Tulsa asking if we're going to Fargo, ND. We're praying the dikes hold and they won't need us however if we're needed you know we'll be there.
Sid has talked with many from the Fargo area and also had Walter Clark, minister from the
Bismarck, ND. Church of Christ stop by the booth today to talk about our plans. Brother Clark told him that Fargo has no minister right now and is in the process of looking for someone to fill that position but is going to have one of the elders contact us. He also stated that all the members of the Fargo congregation that he knows about have evacuated.

I will update as I have more information.

HISTORIC FLOODING IN THE MIDWEST-SEVERE STORMS IN THE SOUTH

**1st I'd like to let you know that if you are at the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop this weekend, please stop by our booth and say hi to Sid and Debbie Smith who are working the booth while the rest of us are still in Texas. Sid and Debbie are some of the newest members of DRT but very knowledgable and will give you all the latest updates.

We are monitoring the weather situations across the country and will keep you informed through email, this blog, the DRT website and Facebook as to what help if any is needed. We do know that we all can begin praying right now for those being affecting by these weather disasters.

We had numerous storms throughout the south yesterday and last night. The forecast is for this weather pattern to continue through Friday. Below is an accounting of some of the damage from last nights storms provided by wjtv.

Media ReleasePublished: March 26, 2009
Pearl – Governor Haley Barbour declared a State of Emergency today for the severe weather system that affected parts of the state late Wednesday afternoon and Thursday and for the threat of additional storms and damage due to forecasted storms over the next several days. The State of Emergency will allow state resources to be used throughout the affected areas to assist local governments as they respond to this disaster, said MEMA Director Mike Womack. The following are updated damage reports received by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s State Emergency Operations Center:
· Adams: Numerous trees and power lines down county wide.
· Amite: Trees and power lines down and wide spread power outages.
· Jasper: Three homes damaged, one injury.
· Jones: Five homes damaged, three injuries.
· Lauderdale: Two homes major damage, nine homes minor damage, one business destroyed, one business minor damage.
· Lawrence: Three homes damaged.
· Lincoln: Trees and power lines down.
· Madison: Trees and power lines down.
· Simpson: 60 homes damaged, 20 injuries; 13 patients transported to Magee General, four patients transported to Simpson General, three patients taken to UMC.
Emergency crews are doing additional surveys for damage. MEMA will continue to provide updates as they become available.

FLOODING***
The following information was provided by kvly.

Volunteers and Fargo officials were heeding the mayor's call Thursday to add another foot of dike protection against the rising water.
In the Fargodome, where a sandbag-making operation was working furiously, public works official Bruce Grubb was struck by the variety of people helping out.
"Any time you see Bison football T-shirts and Sioux hockey T-shirts working side-by-side and smiling, we've really come together," Grubb said, referring to students from North Dakota State and its rival, the University of North Dakota.
The river was at 38.19 feet early Thursday. The National Weather Service predicted the Red River would crest at 41 feet, raising concerns about massive flooding among residents in this city of about 92,000.
Mayor Dennis Walaker described 41 feet as "uncharted territory," noting the Red's record high at Fargo was 40.1 feet in 1897. Walaker said he was still confident the city would beat the flood, but that contingency plans were needed.
"We're into the contingency dikes now, and what they are is a secondary dike to protect the city in case the first line of defense fails," Walaker told the CBS "Early Show" Thursday morning. City officials opened a planning meeting with a prayer, and Walaker said: "We need all the help we can get."
Officials said they would build their dikes a foot higher than planned, to 43 feet.
Evacuations of flooded homes south of Fargo continued on Thursday morning. Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney said authorities had 11 requests for evacuations. The Coast Guard and local rescuers and emergency officials have been using airboats to evacuate flood-stranded residents.
On Wednesday, 46 people were evacuated from 15 homes in rural areas south of Fargo. A dozen more rescues were planned Thursday.
"As the river's moving north, our issues are moving north," Laney said.
On Wednesday, Police Chief Keith Ternes urged people with disabilities to consider leaving the city, saying: "If they expect us to get to them and get them out, they should give serious consideration." Hospital officials were also identifying patients that might need to be moved early.
Officials in Fargo and neighboring Moorhead put out another call for volunteers. Fargo requested more than 2,000 volunteers to complete sandbag dikes.
In Bismarck, officials canceled a request for sandbaggers to protect a mobile home court in the south part of the city. But residents were warned not to let their guards down despite the lowering river.
"I am praying we're out of the woods because of the 2-foot drop, but I think we have to be prudent," said Lt. Dan Murphy, a North Dakota National Guard spokesman. "We just don't know."
The guard said tributaries feeding into the river had gone down.
Also, demolition crews blasted chunks of ice Wednesday to break up an ice jam that was causing water to back up behind it and flooded Bismarck.
Water backing up behind the dam of car-size ice blocks had forced the evacuation of about 1,700 people from low-lying areas in North Dakota's capital city of about 59,000. Fox Island, which has several dozen upscale homes, was flooded.
Crews from Advanced Explosives Demolition, with help from National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard, drilled 80 holes in the ice to detonate clay-like explosives. Greg Wilz, the state's homeland security director, said salt would be used to help speed the breakup and officials were considering backhoes to break up ice sheets near the river's west bank.
Residents of low-lying subdivisions in Bismarck and neighboring Mandan had been told to evacuate.
President Barack Obama declared the entire state of North Dakota a disaster area late Tuesday in response to widespread flooding. The Minot Air Force Base was deploying two rescue helicopters to Bismarck, in case people need to be saved from floodwaters.
Mike Hall, who is in charge of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's North Dakota response to the flood, said the agency is shipping almost 20,000 meals, 4,500 blankets and hundreds of toiletry kits to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. From there, the supplies will be distributed as needed, Hall said.
More sandbagging was planned in part of Grand Forks, the city hardest hit by the 1997 Red River flood. An elaborate dike system was built after that disaster. The Red rose to 42.5 feet in Grand Forks by midday Wednesday with a crest near 52 feet projected for Monday. The record there was 54.4 feet, set in 1997.

IPOD WINNERS

(2) IPOD TOUCH'S were donated to be awarded to (2) DRT volunteers. Everyone who wore their RED DRT shirts on Saturday of each event were eligible to register for the drawing.

IPOD WINNERS

CYC - GATLINBURG, TN.

Josh Walker - McKenzie, TN

WINTERFEST - GATLINBURG, TN.

Goshen, Ohio

The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team Volunteers are AWESOME!!

We are so BLESSED by ALL of you!

CYC

CYC THIS WEEKEND IN GATLINBURG!!

YOU COULD WIN AN:

IPOD TOUCH!!

All you have to do to register is:

1. Help us promote The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team(DRT) by proudly wearing your RED (DRT) shirt all day on Saturday at CYC (not under other clothes, we want to SEE it) :)

2. Come to the (DRT) Exhibit Booth and register for the Ipod Touch anytime on Saturday.

IT'S THAT EASY!! :)

The drawing will be held Saturday during the evening session. The winning name will be posted at the (DRT) Exhibit Booth.

How Do You Get A (DRT) Shirt??

Come by the (DRT) Exhibit Booth and we'll show you how to get a shirt. :)

We are thankful to our anonymous donor for donating (2) Ipod Touch's to be given to (2) DRT volunteers. (1) was given this past week at Winterfest .

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you!! Stop by and say hi!

Laura

ICE STORM URGENT NEEDS

THE NEED IS URGENT!!

VERY COLD AND NO POWER!!

We have coordinators continuing with the work in Bridge City, Texas following Hurricane Ike. We now also have coordinators working in Paragould, AR. following the ice storms and we are currently delivivering generators, equipment and supplies to Marion, Paducah, Mayfield and Murray, Kentucky. The phones are ringing constantly with more and more congregations in need of assistance the latest one being Marion, Kentucky.

IT IS VERY COLD- THOUSANDS HAVE NO POWER--NO HEAT......IT COULD BE A MONTH BEFORE POWER IS RESTORED IN ALL LOCATIONS!!

PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM HYPOTHERMIA.

We received a call from Andy Walker, Minister of the church in Marion, Kentucky. He told us that Marion is a coal mining/farming community of about 2500 people. The entire town is without power and is also running low on food. So far he has been unsuccessful in getting any supplies brought in to his church and is desperately wanting to reach out to his members and community who are so much in need. We've also received calls from other congregations telling us about the urgent need of this congregation and town as well as the sad financial condition the town is in.
DRT is going to help Andy and his congregation reach out to their community showing the LOVE AND COMPASSION OF JESUS!! Which means we need YOUR help as well. :) We're a TEAM remember? ;) Lets help our brothers and sisters!!

We are also going to be helping the other congregations mentioned above and there will probably be more added to the list, so please be prayerful about how you can help.

DRT has purchased additional generators above what we already had in stock to loan out to congregations to use but many more are needed.

Below is a list of items URGENTLY needed:

GENERATORS
HEATERS
CHAIN SAWS
FLASHLIGHTS
WATER
CANNED FOOD (reg. sizes for making family boxes and #10 sizes for serving to community)
PASTA
MANUAL CAN OPENERS
"HEATER TYPE" MEALS
"TO GO" MEAL CONTAINERS
BLANKETS
**FUNDING**
The funding will especially help, DRT is purchasing the needed items daily to help the congregations affected. We will also be purchasing fuel to help keep the generators running. An ice storm can be very costly.

To Donate Items: Please contact Laura at: 937-308-2259

For Funding You May Do So Through PayPal On Our DRT Website: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org

Or By Postal Mail To:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904

ICE STORM UPDATE

Disasters are just that...disasters......And because of that, sometimes the logistics of organizing and running relief efforts (especially with other organizations) can become disasters in their own right. As the church in Kennett, MO. has found out working with the Red Cross in a sheltering situation. Anyway, we are very impressed and proud of the Slicer Rd. church for opening up their building and reaching out to their community allowing 400 or so to come in to the warmth for rest and nourishment. Unfortunately the Red Cross saw things a little differently, closing the shelter at the church and moving all the people to the V.F.W. for shelter.

There is still need for assistance in Kennett, Missouri, I will keep you posted as to specific needs.

Due to the above situation, there was no longer a need for us to be located directly in Kennett. However we will still be close by. We will be working with the Crowleys Ridge College, Hillcrest Church of Christ as well as several other congregations in the area of Paragould, AR.

Almost the entire area is without power. The rural areas are not expected to receive power for (1) month! Many church family members have trees down, some on houses. Most all are without power.

We will also be working with congregations in Kentucky so I'll keep you updated on those efforts as well.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE IMMEDIATELY NEEDED:

50k Generator/s/ -- To run kitchen in church building in Paragould, AR. and other areas. (Donation of rental or Full donation for future uses)

Financial Donations

Volunteers

Bottled Water

Flashlights

Heaters

Gasoline in gas cans

Blankets

Generators

Tarps

WHAT WE'LL BE DOING:

• Providing Hot Meals for church family members and communities.
• Door to door needs assessments
• Chain Saw Crews.
• Tarping/Repairing of roofs, etc.
• Evangelism

AS YOU KNOW, TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WE NEED TO ALL WORK TOGETHER.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO HELP OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS BY LOVING AND SERVING OTHERS!!

Email or Call Laura with locations to deliver donations of items or to volunteer.
disasterrelief@hotmail.com 937-308-2259

Financial Donations can be made through PayPal online through the website: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/

Or By Postal Mail To:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904

ICE STORMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Following a severe ice storm that has left residents desparate,
and in dire need of community support, Slicer St Church of

Christ has been a beacon of hope and help to those who need it by
serving as an area warming center and shelter. (DDD staff photo
by Deanna Coronado)

Slicer Street Church serves as beacon of hope during dark and dire times.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009Deanna Coronado and Mike Buhler, Daily Dunklin Democrat


In the midst of dark and dire times in the Bootheel, Slicer Street Church of Christ has been a beacon of hope and help to those who need it in Kennett.
The church is the home to the city's Red Cross shelter and has been providing shelter, food and heat for the town's citizens.
"I think that it's a wonderful group of people "

said Red Cross volunteer Margie Morgan of the 100 members that have volunteered. "Everybody has been very cooperative, working together as a team. The church is just marvelous. It's the most wonderful group of people I've worked with at a church before."
The church fed 300-400 people on Wednesday evening -- including utility crews, the approximately 150 people staying at the shelter, and in Morgan's words, "anybody that's hungry."
Two of Slicer Street's volunteers are church members David and Cindy Johnson, who have also been staying at the church since the storm.
"The church here has done a really admirable job of deciding what to do and doing it very quickly to help all these people," David Johnson said. "But as much as we work, it wouldn't have been near as successful without the merchants like the grocery stores and Walmart just really being willing to open at any time when everything else was closed and help us out quite a bit."
The shelter has been a blessing for Edna Adaway, who is currently staying at the shelter.
"It could be worse," said Adaway. "We're a lot thankful that we've got the shelter. They've fed us and (gave us) a place to stay for the night. (Tuesday) night I stayed in my apartment because I figured the lights were going to come back on, but they never did. But I thank the Lord that we do have shelter, a place to stay the night and food to eat. It could have been worse."
In addition to Slicer Street Church of Christ, the local VFW is also serving as a warming shelter to area residents in need.

********

The Slicer St. Church of Christ is one of the churches DRT will be helping following the ice storms that have left countless cities crippled with downed power lines, trees down and on top of houses. No heat, water or means of cooking. If you are able to help please contact Laura at: disasterrelief@hotmail.com or 937-308-2259. Volunteers and Funding are needed. You may donate through PayPal on 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

Christmas, Colorado, Texas, Washington and Stuff

I've gotten way behind on this blog so I have a lot to get caught up on. :)

I've spent this week in Colorado Springs with many youth ministers and their wives. I had a booth set up to raise awareness of DRT and the need for volunteers as well as funding. I've had the opportunity to meet many wonderful brothers and sisters who were here to learn and spend some time in fellowship. They were here because they are commited to training our youth teaching them what our Lord wants for them in their lives. It was also great seeing many friends I've met along the way in our journeys through disasters as well as a couple friends from "back home" (Daniel and Jason) :) who have now moved on to other areas. I've also had the opportunity to listen to many thought provoking keynote speakers. This has been a week that has blessed me in so many ways and I'm thankful to God for allowing me to be here.
And let me add the ribbing wasn't even "too" bad when "THE" O.S.U. lost the Fiesta Bowl. :)

Tomorrow I fly back to Bridge City for a few days where everyone is hard at work. A few changes are taking place as the relief effort evolves as it always does. Friday will be our last day of serving meals to the community. That is a good thing. :) We feel the community is "on their feet" enough to prepare their food in their homes (FEMA trailers) now. However we are still distributing supplies which include food boxes, cleaning items, personal care, clothing, etc. We will be evaluating this in the near future as well. Many of you have been coming in and volunteering! We appreciate you so much. Without YOU this effort would not be possible. There are still been houses that have recently been gutted but mostly we are in the rebuilding stage. Mainly sheetrock and insulation are being installed right now.

THANK YOU....THANK YOU......THANK YOU......to all of you who helped with the Children's Christmas Wish Lists. They were ALL fulfilled and delivered in time for the parents to put under the tree before Christmas!! You made many parents and children extremely thankful and very happy!

Next, I will be heading to Arlington, TX to set up a booth at Winterfest Jan. 16-18. If you'll be there, be sure to stop by and say hello!

I'm also keeping an eye on the flooding in Washington State. I'll update as I have more information on that.

AWESOME DAY

AWESOME DAY TODAY!!
Children's wishes are being fulfilled through our Christmas wish list program. Many of you are opening your hearts and your wallets even in these tough economic times to help children here in Bridge City who had lost everything in the storm have a bright Christmas.
I knew I could count on you! :)
We still have quite a few children still on the list who are in need of some cheering up this Christmas. Will YOU be that special person? A few of them are listed to the right and we have many others.

Children were also happy for another reason today (although being from Ohio, my family wasn't all that thrilled) ;) Bridge City woke up to snow this morning!! Yep....... Great idea I had of "Purchasing" a truckload of snow for our Christmas Party, since Bridge City never sees snow.........well, not a measurable amount since 1973 anyway............ I thought it would be SO cool to have snow at the party like we did last year in California. But here we are 1 week before the party and they get it for free. Can you believe it?!?!? Oh well......I tried!! :)

We are being blessed with wonderful volunteers!! We have excellent volunteers from the local congregations! Bridge City, Orange (9th & Elm, Fellowship), Buna, Beaumont (Westgate, Ridgewood), Nederland, Jasper, Warren, Silsbee, Kirbyville, Woodville.

This month we have volunteers traveling from New Jersey, Alabama, Tennessee (FHU), Arkansas, Stamford, TX. and Missouri.

Without all of you DRT wouldn't be possible or needed. YOU are DRT!! We love you and appreciate you!!

CHRISTMAS HERE IN BRIDGE CITY

It's still very busy here in Bridge City. Volunteers are coming and working on houses, supplies are being distributed, meals are being served and the community as well as all of us are being blessed. GOD IS GREAT!!

I've personally been very busy getting our Bridge City Community Christmas Party planned.

It's scheduled for December 20. We are working together with the area congregations as well as an organization called Portlight Strategies, Inc. to bring this all together. I'm so excited about it!! It should be an awesome time for everyone. We have a company bringing in a snow machine so the children here in Texas will get to experience the fun of snow (some for the first time) even if it isn't actually falling from the sky and has to be trucked in. :) We'll have the area all decorated with lots of lights, Christmas trees and decorations.

Santa will be here giving gifts, we'll have a traditional Christmas dinner with ham, mashed potatoes, etc., arts and crafts for the kids, D.J. playing music, and much more.

We also have had the storm survivors filling out wish lists for their children. We're asking them to list some item/s/ that they really like that were lost in the storm that they would like to have again. We are then trying to fulfill those requests. We will then give those gifts to the parents to give to the children (these are different gifts than what is being given at the party). Anyway then the parents can give the gifts to the children however they want. It can be from them, Santa or whatever. So many of the storm survivors are having to put out so much money on their houses because of not having insurance that they don't have money for Christmas. This allows them to have something under the tree Christmas morning.

To the right is a listing of 1st names, ages, sizes, and wish lists of several children here in the community that really need our help to fulfill their wishes for Christmas. We asked the parents to fill the forms out for the children listing a few items the children lost in the storm that they really liked and would like to have for Christmas. Many from area congregations, organizations, etc. are trying to help fulfill these requests however there are ALOT of children in need. Which means WE NEED YOUR HELP--


If you would like to fulfill a child's wish for Christmas, you may do so by donating funds to purchase gifts for certain children and the gifts will be purchased here since time is running short and it will avoid shipping costs (if you prefer to purchase gifts and ship them, please email and let me know that as soon as possible):


1. Send an email with the following information to let me know that you want to fulfill that child's wish list. disasterrelief@hotmail.com

Number of the Child
Name of the Child
Amount of money you are sending to fulfill the wish list.
Your name, address and phone number


2. Mail a check to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904


Or you may donate online through PayPal on our website: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/


**PLEASE MAIL IN OR DONATE ONLINE SOON AS GIFTS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE PURCHASED UNTIL FUNDS ARE RECEIVED.**


So many are in need of assistance, many are still living in tents, others are cramped in very tiny FEMA houses and it seems to them to be taking forever to get back into their homes. Please consider helping us give these families a memorable Christmas. Let's make what could be a very difficult holiday season for them, a bright "Christ-Filled" time for them to remember.

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!!

GOTTA LOVE BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS

Waiting for that delicious homecooked meal :)

Distribution Interviewers- Averaging approx. 300 applicants/day

Broadway Church of Christ, Galveston, TX

Broadway Church of Christ, Galveston, Texas
****************************************
We've been able to help the Broadway church with advice on how to proceed with their building. Which steps to take, etc. for the mucking out/drying out process. DRT has also provided them with dehumidifiers and will be providing more assistance in the near future.
**************************************************************************************

It's been a very tiring but rewarding week here in Bridge City. I'm learning things about the people of Bridge City as well as our brothers and sisters who are coming in to volunteer and I must say......I'm meeting some awesome people!!


First let me tell you about the people of Bridge City.........


As I've told you in past posts, even though the community here has lost all their belongings, even though their houses have been ruined, some to the point of being unrepairable, even though many now have no clothes to wear, their furniture has been soaked and mildewed, the appliances have stood in 4' - 5' of water. Children have no school clothes, no school supplies, the toys are piled in muddy heaps along the streets. Even through all this, even the long lines they must endure to get assistance at our center, they are still patient and so appreciative of any assistance they receive. Sometimes just giving them that extra hug has helped them get through one more day. Just being here is so rewarding, it's something you just can't imagine unless you experience it for yourself.

Speaking of which, I'm going to attempt to relate a phone conversation Sid (our awesome cook) overheard. Sid tells it better but here goes... It is a woman talking on the phone to a friend and it goes something like this.......
"You've got to get down here, you won't believe it. They have homecooked food, they're giving away all kinds of supplies, food, cleaning supplies, new clothes, and they're helping people with their houses for free........What?......It's the Church of Christ.........no, I don't know anything about them, but they're the closest thing to GOD that I've seen!"
This is a true phone conversation that Sid overheard just the other day here. Do you have any doubts as to why we believe so strongly in this ministry? GOD IS IN CHARGE!

I'm running on just a couple of hours sleep so I'm going to hold off until tomorrow to tell you about some of the awesome volunteers we have as well as give you some pics of them to put with the names.

So far, we've served over 6,000 homecooked meals, distributed supplies to over 1,200 people and helped over 40 with their homes. We currently have 40 volunteers staying with us and continually have volunteers scheduled. HOWEVER, it isn't enough......WE STILL NEED YOU!!!

For now, here is a list of items URGENTLY needed here in Bridge City. Please remember we also need FUNDING and VOLUNTEERS just as URGENTLY.

Diapers
Baby Food
Formula
Baby Items
New Childrens Clothing
New Undergarments
New Socks
Wal-Mart or Target Gift Cards (for DRT to take teens school shopping)
Coolers
Shovels
Rakes
Plastic Gloves

FUNDING - This helps purchase food for kitchen, basic needs items for survivors, building material for those without insurance, etc.

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

We See It, Taste It, Smell It and Yet Still Don't Know....

Bridge City, Texas

Bridge City, Texas

Here we are at the beginning of another week.

Tomorrow is our first day of applications for house repair and distribution of supplies.

So far we have been serving about 400 each day but we haven't put a sign out yet so people don't know we're here. Tomorrow that number will probably start to double.

The DRT staff worshipped with the Bridge City church this morning. The worship was such a moving service. The preaching was perfect for today and just what the congregation needed.

You know.... you can drive through the streets past the houses with all the rubble out front, you can look at the pictures showing the debris, the sadness, the desperation, the hopelessness. None of it is the same as experiencing it in person.... being at worship, singing the songs and hearing the crying and sobbing that the songs seem to bring on as the memories flow for those that have lost so much. Even those of us that are here still will never know what is felt because "we haven't been through it". The difference in those at worship today and those that weren't is those here have GOD to get them through these tough, trying times. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to not have JESUS in my life and have to go through something like this. BUT......that is why we are here in Bridge City.

Our Purpose.....

Did you know DRT's purpose was "not" to cook food, provide basic supplies and volunteers and fix houses for people? That's right......that's NOT our purpose.

Our purpose is to bring the lost to Christ. Plain and Simple. :) Of course one of the ways we do that is by building trust and relationships with the neighbors of members and the community by "giving a drink of water" in HIS name.

We reach out to the community by helping them with their physical needs while building (sometimes lifetime) relationships as we "plant the seeds".

Today at worship, we heard those crys, those sobs, the pain so many were feeling. We felt those long hugs and we listened.

So many are hurting but out of this hurt can come the ultimate healing. So many can be lead to Christ, they are broken, their hearts are open. Out of this tradegy can become a truly joyous celebration. Please continue to pray for all those here in Bridge City as well as all who are ministering to them. Please pray that this will be a time for the Ultimate Healing for those in Bridge City, Texas.

As I've said in my previous posts, the entire town of Bridge City was under water. I can't begin to express to you how desperately we need volunteers! Please come be a part of the team. DRT provides housing, 3 meals per day, tools, gloves, etc. for all of our volunteers and the work will be lined up and ready for you. :)

THE PLACES GOD SENDS ME

This has been one amazing week.....to tell you the truth, I don't even know where to begin.

I have met the most wonderful people the past two weeks in these few Texas towns we've been in. I look at the people here with admiration....from those here in Bridge City who have lost everything they own......yet they have so much strength........so much appreciation for everything they receive.........whether it's a hug, a meal, or volunteers mucking out their houses..........to the ones from the Ridgewood congregation in Beaumont who are putting in so many hours helping those in Beaumont as well as driving to Bridge City and putting in just as many hours helping here. I just want you to know I love you and admire you!

Well......I told you I didn't know where to start ;) This is kind of jumbled and not quite in order.
(speaking of jumbled, I have no idea what happened to the post below this with the funky lettering) I think you have to be computer literate to post blogs-- which I'm not--just in case you haven't noticed ;)

Ok, I'll try to focus....here goes. :)

As you can tell by my rambling above, we have moved from the Ridgewood congregation in Beaumont where we were serving food and had volunteers going out and cutting trees, etc. to the Bridge City area. This town was completely under water. They basically have no help here at all. They are in desperate and urgent need of assistance! They have no flood insurance, those that thought they did are finding in the small print of the ammendments that it didn't include any type of surge, wind driven rain, rain on the ground, rain from the sky, rain coming sideways, well......you get the idea. They are coming in with tears in their eyes not knowing what they are going to do. I'm talking about those that you might normally expect to need help all the way up to city officials. This is a small town of about 10,000 and they were just not at all prepared for this. Wind damage maybe but not the flooding.

Sid, one of our cooks that really rocks, was telling me a story today about a lady that came up to him to ask how much the meal was. He told her it was free, she said, "no really, how much is it", he said, "really, it's free" she said, "you're coming in here to our community and cooking all this food for us and it's free?" Sid said, "yes" She said, "now I've seen the LORD".

I say....PRAISE GOD!!!

Everyone is here working together. Tonight our refrigerated trailer quit on us. Even the mayor came out and was helping us work on it. Praise GOD it's up and running again. (I'll tell you about that tomorrow)

I have so many more stories to tell you, but right now I just really want you to experience it for yourself. Not only that but We Really NEED YOU!!!! THE PEOPLE IN BRIDGE CITY NEED YOU!!!

PLEASE COME VOLUNTEER WITH US!

LET'S HELP BRIDGE CITY AND SHOW THE LOVE OF JESUS!

AN AWESOME DAY TO WORSHIP

Worshipping GOD was Awesome this morning at Ridgewood Church of Christ in Beaumont, Texas. Worship was held in the fellowship hall using floodlights since we still had no power. However, PRAISE GOD the power came on this afternoon.......YES!!!!!! Can you say..........

"hot showers"?? WooHoo!!!! :)

We make sure the DRT "staff" takes Sundays off, if at all possible (even though we call them "staff" they are all volunteer) so they were able to go see some of the area, go pick up chocolate candy at the Wal-Mart that just opened (Bob Card).....it's ok, he shared it with us :) and basically just hang out, which everyone needed and deserved after a long week of very hard work and long hours.

Mark and I headed off to the 9th and Elm Church of Christ in Orange, TX to get updates and make plans for the upcoming week. They have a congregation of about 150 active members 25 of those families were flooded.... most with no insurance. We have offered to help house and feed volunteers for them (they don't have room for our equipment or to house many volunteers) as well as sending volunteers to them to work on houses. The Woodlands Church in N. Houston is fixing 600 Texas Barbeque meals this coming Saturday at the 9th and Elm Church for their members as well as community and members of Bridge City. We will also be bringing our 30' supply trailer with new clothing, shoes, etc. the same day that we will be distributing as well as taking applications for Repair needs, etc.

From there we headed off to Bridge City to meet with a member whose house was flooded and who was wanting advice on what needed done next. A Bridge City town meeting was being held this afternoon so we attended that for 2-1/2 hours before heading to the EOC at the request of the City Manager to have a meeting with him. Bridge City is in dire need of assistance. FEMA is no longer providing trailers to storm victims. 90 % of Bridge City was under water which means there is no other housing available, no hotels for 100-200 miles which means it is virtually impossible for the residents to be near their homes to work on them or to get their businesses up and running. There is 1 restaurant open in the entire city with a very limited menu, no grocery stores or gas stations, etc. they are asking us to come in with our kitchen to help feed the community as well as bringing in volunteer help to help get the residents back on their feet.

We've spoken to members of the Bridge City Church of Christ and all of the members with the exception of 3 have been flooded out, mostly with no insurance. The Bridge City Church building also sustained about 5' of water damage.

Tomorrow we will be heading to the Winnie Church of Christ to speak with them. They have also had a tremendous amount of damage in their area and they are housing members from Crystal Beach.

As you can see.....there are many of our brothers and sisters as well as those we need to reach out to in the communities who need our help.....many have no insurance and have lost their houses, cars, household belongings, clothing, shoes, the children have lost their toys, their books.......absolutely everything....... and on top of this many have now lost their jobs.

PLEASE MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO HELP US......HELP THE LOCAL CHURCHES.......REACH OUT TO THEIR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY