I'M LEARNING FROM THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS

You've seen the pictures..... you've heard the news reports....but until you are actually here on the ground walking among the tangled belongings strewn through what was once the town of Greensburg it isn't real. Even being here and seeing it in person it doesn't seem real. Mark and I have been doing disaster relief for 15 years and seeing the total devastation is still mind boggling.

The people we've met here in Kansas are so appreciative of any assistance, actually they usually tell us, "help someone else first, there are others that need the help more than I do" when we know they need it just as much as anyone else. I can't tell you how many times we've heard people say that and we've only been here a short time. It just makes you want to help them all the more. You can tell the people here are used to being the ones giving and not receiving, I just tell them that they are depriving someone else of the blessings of giving so please allow others to reach out and receive that blessing by helping them. They understand then and with a smile they will accept the help.

Jerry and Starla live in Greensburg. They lost their house, vehicles and all their belongings. Not only this but Starla had a framing business in downtown Greensburg and lost her business as well. Through all this, Jerry and Starla are putting GOD first. They have agreed to allow DRT to set up our relief effort on their property. Their property became top priority to make this happen and the heavy equipment was brought in today to tear down the house, etc. along with volunteers to clean up after them. The site is now ready for our kitchen and trailers, etc.
WE NOW HAVE SOMETHING WE'D LIKE TO DO FOR THEM...... Starla also lost her computer in the storm. If you can help with the purchase of a new computer so we can surprise Starla, please let us know.

GREENSBURG, KANSAS

We have a team preparing to leave for Greensburg, Kansas. From the information we have received so far there have been 10 families in the church there who have lost their homes and all of their belongings. As you can imagine, the church and the town is still in shock.
DRT will be taking the 30' mobile kitchen, 1st response tool trailer, supply trailer as well as RV's for volunteers to stay in.
I can hear you asking yourself, "I wonder what I can do to help"............. Well, I'm glad you're asking :) We do have some suggestions.

1.We are in need of drivers to help pull some of the above trailers to the Greensburg, Kansas area. The mobile kitchen is a gooseneck and is located at our coordination site in High Springs, Florida as well as the pull behind RV's that are needed. The 1st response and tool trailer are located in Troy, Ohio.

The following are the types of volunteers we are anticipating needing very soon upon our arrival in the Greensburg, KS. area.

Cooks
Counselors
Clean Up Crews

Please keep watching this blog as well as the website for further information.
If you are able to help in any of these ways please sign up on the website.

Please keep those affected by this disaster in your prayers as well as those that will be ministering to them.

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU?!?!?

We are thankful that so many of you are allowing GOD to work through you by coming and being part of DRT and reaching out to those affected by disasters. So many lives are being touched especially this month because many college and school groups are coming and working with us instead of the many other things you could be doing on your spring break. We appreciate you so much!

This week in New Orleans we are blessed to have the campus ministry group from PURDUE UNIVERSITY and from what I hear from our onsite coordinators they are an "excellent" group!! We appreciate the time you are taking from your spring break to serve the LORD and the community of New Orleans. We also have a group from
KILGORE, TEXAS and our home congregation of TROY, OHIO this week. We thank you for coming as well and always look forward to our Texas and Ohio groups coming and working with us!

We have an excellent team of coordinators in New Orleans working these (3) weeks. Mark and I are so appreciative of all of you!! Marge (Lancaster, Oh.), Mike (Cape Canaveral, FL.), Bob (Sidney, Oh.), Duane (Piqua, Oh.), Bill (Piqua, Oh) thanks for all you are doing!!

**Update on Hunter** Thank you so much for your prayers for our grandson Hunter. He is now home from the hospital and doing well. He has a cast from his toes to his hip. (This surgery was one of many surgeries he has had since he was born with a club foot) He is doing very well however it is much more difficult for him this time since he's older. He is 2-1/2 and isn't allowed to put any weight on his foot for 3 weeks. Please continue to keep him and his mommy and daddy in your prayers.

HELP NEEDED!!

We appreciate so much all your prayers for our grandson Hunter!! He is doing terrific and should get to come home tomorrow.

As you know DRT is coordinating the relief effort in Enterprise, AL with the College Ave. Church of Christ. I spoke with Mark this afternoon and they are in desperate need of volunteers to work on houses. There are over 1,000 houses that were damaged or destroyed in Enterprise. The media focused mainly on the high school which was a horrible tragedy but they didn't also show the many, many families whose lives were affected by their houses being ripped apart by the tornado.
Let's help the church in Enterprise reach out to their community. Please consider making a trip to Alabama to help with this great work.
If you're interested in volunteering, please call Laura at 937-308-2259 or email at disasterrelief@hotmail.com

SPRING AHEAD :)

REMEMBER TO:
SPRING YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD TONIGHT :)

Mark is at the Florida Bible Camp meeting up with all of the DRT coordinators.
Mark and Jimmy will be bringing one of the tool trailers and our RV and heading to Enterprise, AL today.
Marge, Mike, Bob, Bill and Duane will be heading to New Orleans to begin the work camp at Hickory Knolls.
I am still in Ohio. I am coordinating volunteers by phone from here so I can be here with my grandson when he has surgery on Monday. My plans are to then leave for Central Florida to check on things there and to take the supplies that have been collected. From there I will head to Enterprise, AL.

I hope you are planning on coming to work with us in Alabama, we need you. If you are willing to volunteer, please email or call. disasterrelief@hotmail.com
or call Laura at: 937-308-2259

ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GULF COAST

As I sit here thinking of all the things I want to tell you, my mind is racing. There are so many people out there desperate for help. I want to be there with them, holding them, telling them of GOD'S LOVE for them.....I will be there and I will do all of those things along with many of you just as we've done many times before......But first let me give you an update of what is happening with the DRT efforts in several areas around the country.

On a personal note: Our 2 yr. old grandson (Hunter) will be having surgery Monday, March 12. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks! Laura

• ENTERPRISE, ALABAMA

IMMEDIATE NEED-- Plywood/OSB sheathing for roof/window covering. If you can help with this need, please call Mark Cremeans at 937-308-0035.

VOLUNTEERS--DRT is coordinating volunteers to work with the College Ave. Church of Christ in Enterprise, AL. we are currently working on obtaining housing, etc. for volunteers. Please call Laura to volunteer at 937-308-2259.

• CENTRAL FLORIDA

DRT is collecting small kitchen appliances, sheets and blankets to help furnish the mobile homes. If you would like to donate new or items in VERY GOOD CONDITION, please call Laura at 937-308-2259.

DRT is fundraising to purchase mobile homes for those without insurance. If you are able to help with funding, you can donate through our website at http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org or by mail at:

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

C/O Melbourne Church of Christ

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, Florida 32904

• GULF COAST - NEW ORLEANS - (KATRINA RELIEF)

The DRT is working with the Hickory Knoll Church of Christ in New Orleans. We have a 3 week work camp scheduled for March 12 - 31. We praise GOD for the following groups who have volunteered to come in and work for the LORD!

Purdue University- COC Campus Ministry

OK. State University -- Stillwater COC Campus ministry

Freed-Hardeman University

Memorial Parkway COC

Harding Academy

Auburn University -- COC Campus Ministry

Kilgore, TX

Troy, TN

Mid-County Church of Christ, Troy, Ohio

Please continue to keep the DRT in your prayers as we work in these communities.

ENTERPRISE, ALABAMA

Enterprise, Alabama Tornado Destruction





These photos were sent to me by Chad Trott from the Enterprise Church of Christ in Enterprise, Alabama. DRT will be working with the Enterprise Church of Christ reach out to their members and community. Please keep watching for information on how you can help as well as keeping this community in your prayers!

WINTERFEST -- AWESOME!!

WINTERFEST IN GATLINBURG -- What an awesome weekend!!
Parents you can be very proud of your teens!!
Mark and I were thrilled to see so many of you that we have met and worked with over the past few years!! Thanks for stopping by our booth to say hello and give us a hug!! :)

You know....there are so many things about the disaster relief ministry that just keeps drawing me closer and closer to GOD. As I meet you and see the example you are, as I see your love for our Lord and Saviour it draws me closer to GOD. I may have 15 years experience in disaster relief and this may be your first relief effort.....but what I've learned from you about about HIS Word....or about Compassion....or ...and the list can go on and on.....That's the way it is, isn't it? We teach by example.....and we learn by listening.....We give a cup of water in HIS name.....

If you haven't received an email with a Central Florida update, check back here. If you would like to receive email updates, please go to our website to sign up for the updates at: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org

FLORIDA REBUILDING

We are on our way to Gatlinburg to set our display up at Winterfest in hopes of "getting the word out" about the Disaster Response Team" ministry. We've had so many volunteers who've called many places just trying to find an effort to work with. Many still don't know about us yet. If you're going to be at Winterfest, have a safe trip getting there and please stop by our booth and say hi, we'd love to see you!

FLORIDA UPDATE:

There has been a tremendous response from volunteers to the central Florida storms!! Praise GOD!! Most of the "clean up" phase has been accomplished with the exception of some of the "heavy equipment" type work the city is doing. The next phase is rebuilding. We are in DESPERATE need of funding to help those without insurance rebuild. The tornadoes came in and destroyed these structures so we have nothing to work with. If we are going to help them it will have to be from the ground up.

If you find it on your heart to help in this way, you may make an online donation through our website at: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org or you may send your donation by mail to:

Melbourne Church of Christ

C/O Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, FL. 32904

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

This morning I was talking with one of our volunteers. He was telling me about another relief organization he had worked with in the past. They had gone to check out an area to work in, he overheard them talking among themselves about who would get "credit" for doing the work. They decided not to work in that area.
If you are a volunteer.... if you pray for those of us who are volunteers, and please do......PLEASE pray that we NEVER even consider taking credit for ANY work that is done.
GOD is to receive ALL glory!! Let us NEVER forget that.

We have had an excellent turn out of volunteers!! MUCH work is being accomplished. Clean up is being completed here in Lady Lake and The Villages. We have a team assessing the areas of Paisley and Lake Mack today.

Ashley and I will be leaving Thursday to set up a booth at Winterfest in Gatlinburg.
If you're going to be there, stop by our booth and say hello. We'd love to see you!!

THOSE THAT GOD PUTS IN OUR PATHWAY

Friday --

It is a bittersweet feeling.....helping the survivors of a tornado. You know that you are helping by hauling the debris to the road. Some of the "debris" is trees and brush much of it is bits and pieces of the lives of these tornado survivors including some of those broken trees.

Today I met Paul. Paul is one of those who slips between the cracks. He just purchased his mobile home 2 weeks before the storm. He paid cash with his life savings. The other residents hadn't moved out yet so he was living with someone else until he could move into his newly purchased home. So he wasn't the current "occupant". Since he wasn't the occupant he doesn't qualify for FEMA or Red Cross assistance even though he just lost his home and life savings. Today we helped Paul cut trees and haul them and the other debris to the street. His mobile home will surely be condemned and tore down. It was destroyed by the tornado.

We had a great turnout of volunteers today!! And....Dave Palk, a friend of ours we hadn't seen in quite some time met up with us and worked with us today. We appreciate all your hard work Dave!

We appreciate all of your prayers, volunteering and donations, please keep them coming. To GOD be the Glory!!

PLEASE PRAY FOR TESS

Her name is Tess.......She is in her 90's and lives alone in Lady Lake, Florida........She has one living relative , a niece in California.
Tess' home was hit by Friday's tornado, now all Tess has is her car which is what she has been living in since the storm.
Yesterday Tess was told her house is condemned. She is not allowed back into her house to get any of her belongings out. It isn't safe nor is anything really salvagable.

Stories like these are what we hear everyday when we meet with those who have just gone through disasters. Mark and the DRT crew worked at Tess' house yesterday and checked on her again today. She is now staying in a motel. We will continue to help her and do all we can for her. Please pray for Tess.

Much is being accomplished and many people are being helped, Praise GOD!! More trees cut, brush pulled to the road, hugs given, volunteers listening while the survivors tell their stories, food and supplies given in God's name.

We have volunteers coming in everyday working and helping the communities affected by the storms. We are so thankful to all of you who are praying, volunteering and donating funds......YOU are the team!!! To GOD be the Glory!!!

LADY LAKE, FLORIDA UPDATE

We had several volunteers out working in the Lady Lake community today. Cutting trees, pulling brush to the road, watching the lives of so many just get bulldozed into the street. It's so difficult to see these people standing there watching the bulldozers shove their years of memories into heaps of rubble. On the other hand....it's sure makes you feel good to hear the comments from those that are being helped and even from others that are working near our group. Mark and I had several people come up to us to tell us how impressed they were with the DRT volunteers.

We met with one lady today whose house (from the outside) looks like it didn't receive much damage except for the roof. HOWEVER.....when we talked to her we found out differently. For one thing, her house is splitting in half on the inside. That is the physical damage they received from the tornado. Then she told about the night of the tornado and how it was sucking all the air out of the house. She said it felt as though it was taking the breath away from them and that they would die from suffocation. Then just as that was happening, the tornado started to pull her 12 year old son up through the roof. They had to climb on the bed and grab ahold of his legs to keep him inside. She has 5 children ranging in age from 4 to 15 and they all are now terrified of any loud sounds. She said the noise from the tornado was horrible. This family moved to Florida several years ago from Kentucky to take care of other family members who were ill.
Please keep this family in your prayers.

I would like to say a special thank you to Bob, Bill, Lloyd, Shirley, Hoss, Gordy, the "Bread of Life" group. You all did an amazing job today working for the LORD!! And then there is our terrific Mike who has been doing all of our cooking for us!! What would we do without you?!?! Thanks Mike!!

Please keep DRT in your prayers as we minister to the tornado survivors.

FLORIDA STORMS

The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team is currently working in the Lady Lake and The Villages area in Florida following the storms.
We are in desperate need of donations!! Funding is very low due to Hurricane Katrina and many people here in Central Florida need our help! We are finding many had no insurance and they have lost everything.
PLEASE help by sending volunteers to help with debris clean up or by donating funds.
The funds will be used to purchase items for those who have lost everything and have no insurance as well as purchasing building material for those without insurance.
Please check our website and blog for further updates or feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 937-308-2259
Also please call that number to volunteer.

You may donate online through our website www.churchesofchristdrt.org or

Funds can be sent to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
C/O West Melbourne Church of Christ
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Fl. 32904

HUGE NEWS FLASH!!!!

GROWTH, CHANGE, PROGRESS
Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods……… Whatever the calamity, remember that GOD Rules!!

Today, tomorrow, and forever… His reason for what we as humans label a disaster may be for cleansing our spirit, building our faith, testing our resolve, or providing us, as Christians, the opportunity to teach His Word while ministering to the survivors needs for food, clothing and the other necessities of life.

Great News! The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team (DRT) continues to grow.

5,000 + volunteers, responding through DRT to assist the survivors of disaster reclaim their lives, attests to the fact that support from many congregations in the U.S. were responsible for the rapid growth of DRT. This is surely most pleasing to our God.

After much prayer and consideration for handling this rapid growth, the Somerset, Ohio elders and the DRT directors have agreed that it would be in the best interests of DRT to be under the oversight of a larger eldership and better located geographically. The Somerset eldership has clearly exhibited their dedication to the Lord’s work during the time DRT was overseen by them. We pray the Lord will richly bless them as they endeavor to serve HIM.

MANY EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AT HAND!!

With the growth of the mission comes greater responsibility in providing for the needs of those affected by disaster. The elders of the Melbourne Church of Christ in Melbourne, Florida have agreed to oversee the Disaster Response Team ministry as well as work closely with DRT.

Near Gainesville Florida, the Florida Bible Camp has offered 5 acres to the ministry to be utilized as a home and mission staging base. This staging and storage center for disaster relief coordination will help in providing and distributing tools and services quickly as it’s location in north-central Florida is near both I-75 and I-10.

The mission of DRT remains the same and that is to bring the good news of the gospel to disaster survivors through disaster relief efforts. The only thing that will change is the address.

All that being said, when the hurricanes didn’t come this year we lost a lot of support, both financial and volunteer. MANY PEOPLE HARMED BY THE PAST YEARS STORMS ARE STILL IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE!! If you wish to help, please contact Mark or Laura Cremeans at 937-308-0035 or send a donation to the address below.

Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team

810 Hollywood Blvd.

West Melbourne, Florida 32904

321-723-8233

ARE YOU READY TO EXPERIENCE THIS??

The following is a quote from Marge Wood about our Thanksgiving week. Marge is one of our "full-time" bookkeeper, cook, housecleaner, people greeter, hugger, what-would-we-do-without-her-volunteers!! Keep watching for more details about this wonderful week and remember......you just HAVE to plan to come and experience this for yourself. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!! :)

"When I think about everything that was accomplished since October 20, it almost boggles my mind and I am so pleased. The work done on homes, the Bible studies, the responses (especially our Ashley), the kitchen trailer, the Creekwood assist with prep of the food, becoming involved with the Gautier and Vancleave congregations, the Gautier dinner, sending food for the NOLA dinner, meeting (and re-meeting) the volunteers who came and worked so diligently, the CISM class, the books for the BLB library, etc., etc. I can hardly believe we did all this when I see it listed and I know the list is incomplete. IT FELT SO GOOD, IT WAS SO GOOD. OUR GOD IS ALIVE AND WORKING WITH US AND THROUGH US."....... Marge Wood

Below are some comments from one of our amazing volunteers that was here with the Freed-Hardeman University group this week. I will be posting more along with my own comments. Be watching.......GOD truly blessed us with an AWESOME workcamp experience this past week. I can't wait to share it with you!!
Laura

Wow

This trip has been life changing. God is so awesome and I have been so blessed by being here. I am sad to say we are leaving tomorrow (Wed.) and pray that my next trip down here will be very soon. I have been so encouraged by Mark,Laura,Ashley,Mike, and last but most definitely not least Ms. Marge. Though I have been here less than 150 hours each of them have made a tremendous impact on me and I am thankful to God that they have dedicated themselves to this work. No words can describe or begin to grasp how I feel. I have learned so much and pray that this is only the beginning. It was also a blessing to meet other volunteers/christians from other areas. I was very blessed to meet Brother and sister Blackwell from the Cox Blv. congregation. Most people say "it's a small world" but I'd like to think that "it's just a big family." I love you all and am so thankful to be in the body of Christ. Thank you very much and God bless. Daniel 12:3

"till we meet again God be with you"

S.Grace Rogers

The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few...

Being a servant....what does that really mean? This trip has really made me think of where my focus in life is. Just when I think I am focused, God puts me in my place and shows me just what life is about and what I overlook and take for granted and the people and oportunities I don't pay attention to or take advantage of. All people are searching for Truth. It's a Christian's responsibility to show them Truth. The Disaster Relief program has really opened a lot of doors for people here in the community, and given them a positive outlook on who the Church is. I thank God for these people here that work so hard for others. They are true servants. Marge, Laura, Mark, and Mike. What a positive Christian example of servants they are. They are my hero's, and when I grow up I wanna be just like them.
If you have the opportunity to work in any way possible with this relief effort, I strongly suggest it to everyone. It has not only encouraged and helped the community, but also strengthened and unified our group that came from Freed. We didn't all know each other for the most part when we came, but through our time and experiences over the last few days with people, it has given us courage to step out of our comfort zone and become friends. These are people we may or may not would have talked to at school when we saw them at all. ....it's weird how God works..
well...this is a pretty stinkin' long post. I think I will stop now.

This Thanksgiving, and everyday I have so many things to be thankful about.
Remember why you are here.
Carpe Diem.

Luke 10:2; James 4:13-15


--Bethany Odom :)







lasik surgery

An Experience

This was my second trip down to work with katrina, and to also stay at the Creekwood Church of Christ. I thought the last time was better than imaginable, but this trip has been equally rewarding, exciting, and touching. I've seen people of all kinds, with all sorts of needs, and been able to help them phyically and possibly spiritually. It has made me see a need all over the world, that most times we neglect to see. I feel as if we waste so much time worrying about trival things, when there are people who are praying for answers, praying for food, help, love, anything good to come into their lives, we were are blessed in overwhelming ways. I hope to keep this fire that has been lite, carrying it home to share with my friends and family that I love. I have people in mind that I want to go home and help, people that I say I love, but havent shared God's word with yet.... I want to talk to them about Christ... It needs to be made my first priority. God Bless these people who are down here full time working so hard, I pray that I will be able to do this one day....atleast for a years time... Ill continue to pray about this effort and these people....With Love and Hope-KaKole