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
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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.
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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

DRT IN BEAUMONT,ORANGE AND BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS

Morning devo with the DRT "staff"

Our first day of serving meals- We hadn't even gotten

a sign out yet letting people know it was available.

Our TERRIFIC kitchen staff!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

mmmmmm.......good!!!!

This is a lady in Bridge City. I talked to her for awhile.

Her house was completely flooded with over 5' of water

She has piles of memories, furniture, basically everything

she owned (now known as debris) on the curb. She is

seen here raking and cleaning her yard.

Bridge City, TX. Piles of memories.......

The lady in the picture raking her yard had 5' of water in her house. She is raking because that is something she can control. Something she can complete. She "knows" she can clean up her yard, get it finished and it will look nice. Unlike her house, that will take a very long time. We see this in every disaster. Many people have very nice looking yards and that is what they want help with. Although to some of us that may seem unimportant, to them at the time, it is the "most" important, because it can be "completed" and completed soon.

Many of us call these piles "debris" but to the owners they are memories. They are...... "were" their possessions now dwindled down to a few piles of rank smelling trash on the street. Some.....try desperately to go into their houses grab whatever furniture, possessions they can in hopes of saving them many times to no avail.

How often do "we" put our lives into our possessions? We put all of our time into earning money to buy more possessions only to have an event like Ike take them away in a matter of hours.

What we really need to be focusing on is our LORD me included, we all get into this trap. The devil grabs ahold of us and makes us think we need all of these "things" for our families. NO WE DON'T!! We NEED to spend time in the WORD and spend time with our families. Teaching our families service to the LORD by example. Possessions don't matter.

I'm saying this to myself as I type this, if you know me......you know one of the things I excel at is shopping :) (but I look for bargains!!) Does that count?? :)

BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN NEED

DRT is currently working in the Beaumont, Orange, Bridge City areas helping to get relief efforts going. The Fire Chief and mayor have asked us to also go into the Rose City area. Many members have lost everything in these areas. We are working with members and helping them reach out to their communities.

DRT helps with urgent basic necessities, household items, new clothing, building materials, food to cook and serve to the communities, cash to congregations in need and volunteer help to cook, muck out houses, cut up trees, clean up and rebuild as well as evangelism teams to help the local congregation with follow up. All of this depends on the church working together. We can't do it without you.

OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS NEED US, THEY NEED YOU!

DRT - 1st Responders
9 of us have arrived in Beaumont, Texas, 6 more will be arriving tomorrow. There is no power, no gas, no stores open, people are getting hungry and it is VERY dark at night. While we are assessing the area here, some of our team will be serving meals to the Beaumont community as well as the smaller surrounding communities. Others will be taking chain saws out and helping with the "clean up". We will also help get the relief effort up and running here by Thursday.

DRT is hosting a luncheon meeting with the area congregations tomorrow to see what needs they have so we can match resources and volunteers.

We will be assessing the needs in other areas this week to see where the need is the greatest and where DRT's services and resources can be most beneficial.

Ok..........that's what "we're" doing. It's your turn......tell me what you're going to be doing :-)

Really.......it's easy......just head on over to the website: http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org
All you need to do is fill out the volunteer sign up form and voila~ There you are, all set for the most gratifying experience of a lifetime.......AND........YOU ARE NEEDED!!!
People need fed physically as well as spiritually, they need help cleaning up their yards and houses, they need help rebuilding their houses, they need hugs and someone to listen to them, they need someone to pray with them, they need someone to teach them Bible Studies.
YOU'LL BE THAT PERSON, WON'T YOU?
You can't make it this trip? We understand....
It also takes funding:
To purchase the food that is served to thousands each day
To purchase building material for those who have no insurance
For daily necessities for those who have just lost everything in the storm including their job
For fuel to run the generators and propane to run the coolers in the kitchen
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.......YOU ARE NEEDED!!!!
YOU'LL BE THAT PERSON, WON'T YOU?

To all of you who already support this ministry whether it's by praying, volunteering or donating, we thank our GOD for you!! Without ALL of you on the Team DRT would not be possible.

IKE HAS MADE LANDFALL

Several of our 1st Response Coordinators and equipment are mobilized in the gulf coast area with more on their way, awaiting weather conditions to improve to allow entry into the disaster stricken areas of Texas and Louisiana following Hurricane Ike's arrival early this morning. As of now, our plans are to stage relief efforts working with several congregations in the Houston/Galveston, Texas areas. However we will post updates on the blog and website as soon as they are available.

Early reports show that thousands of houses have been flooded, many destroyed. Over 1 million are without power. Search and Rescue efforts are beginning due to over 100,000 staying behind and not heeding evacuation orders.

Many volunteers will be needed as well as funding. Please sign up to volunteer on our website, WE NEED YOU! http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/

To help with MUCH NEEDED FUNDING: You may do so through our website or by postal mail.

CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM

C/O MELBOURNE CHURCH OF CHRIST

810 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.

WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA 32904

Everyone working together and giving a little helps tremendously!

It has been a very busy week but I have a feeling this week is going to feel like a vacation compared to the next several weeks or months. WHY??
IKE is coming to town....
We are still praying he'll fizzle and just become a rainmaker but if we're needed, we'll be ready.

Mark and several others have been working diligently on getting all the trailers loaded, tires checked and changed when needed. Trucks serviced, phone calls made and received (during a disaster, everyone just describes Mark as "the guy over there in the red shirt with the phone up to his ear") No matter what day or what time of day you see him, he will have a red DRT shirt on and you can pretty much count on the fact that he will be on the phone.

Me??.......Well, part of my work begins before the disaster. I deal with all the logistics as you saw in my last posting. The rest of this week I've been working on the logistics of the relief effort itself: Where it's going to be, which coordinators will be going in immediately, who will be coming later and when, which trailers, equipment and vehicles will be needed and taken immediately, which ones will be coming later, menu planning for the mobile kitchen, shopping list for the mobile kitchen, items needed to be in brought in the 1st response supply trailer, etc. etc.
Then there is all the packing for Mark, Ashley, me, 2 dogs and 1 cat, (can you believe we actually travel with all those pets?? Neither can Mark, bless his heart!!) then there's the laundry and going to see my mom and last but most definitely not least is going to love and hug on my (6) sweet, precious grandbabies! (ok, and maybe cry a little too when it's time to leave) I sure do miss them when we go to work a disaster.
But just maybe someday they too will see what joy it is to give a little to those who have been through a disaster and to be able to share the Love of Jesus with those who have been broken and who need so desperately to know of HIS LOVE just as we all do.

We are heading out to meet up with our 1st Response coordinators and equipment drivers. As I type this Ike is at 100 mph and is expected to be a catagory 3 or 4 at landfall along the Texas coast.

Ok, I'm going to try this again......I spent this afternoon typing a huge post to this blog since (as you can tell) it's been quite a while since my last one. As I typed I kept seeing at the bottom that it was being "autosaved" into my draft file so I didn't think too much about it. UNTIL.......YUP......all of a sudden it was gone, just like that. No problem I thought, it's all saved I'll just go into my draft file and get it. So.....that's what I did and sure enough there was the post with the timestamp of when I had been typing except.....it was BLANK!!!! Uggggghhhhh!!!! So..... after taking a long break and doing other things instead, I'm trying it again...Here goes...wish me well :)
Many people have asked us about the logistics of DRT. So I thought while we're hanging out waiting on Ike to decide which direction he's going, when he's going to get there, and how strong he's going to be when he does get there now might be a good time to fill you in on some of the "nitty gritty" of DRT. (don't take me seriously about the hanging out part, the DRT coordinators are all extremely busy having just gotten back from the Iowa floods, taking care of things following Hurricane Gustav and preparing for Hurricane Ike) ANYWAY.......
When I say "nitty gritty" sometimes that can also translate into the word "frustrating".
Such as with Gustav and Ike. Directly following Gustav's landfall Mark and I started making phone calls and sending emails to churches and contacts that we have across the gulf coast to find out how things were following Gustav (as you'll see in a minute, things are done differently for a cat. 2 storm compared to a major hurricane) Anyway, I spoke to Doug Burleson from the Goodwood Church of Christ in Baton Rouge. He said they had trees down and some roofs blown off but their biggest problem was lack of power but that the electric company was working on it and everyday there was more and more people with power. He felt that within 2 weeks when about everyone had power, Baton Rouge would be in pretty good shape. For the time being though, their congregation is doing a great job reaching out to their community with supplies and cutting trees, etc. I kept calling others and got about the same reports.
Keep in mind....... At the same time, Ike is lerking around the corner. It looks as though Ike could head into south Florida as a major hurricane. We are based out of Melbourne, Fl. our equipment is at our property in High Springs, Fl. .............NOW .......Whenever there is a "MAJOR" Hurricane predicted to make landfall in the U.S. things are set up differently for DRT coordinators and equipment drivers. (DRT is a 1st Response Disaster Team meaning we are prepared to respond immediately to catastrophic disasters) We all head toward the direction where the hurricane is to make landfall (close enough to get into the area immediately but far enough away to not be in harms way or have our equipment damaged) In this case we are to meet at our storage and training center in High Springs, FL. Ok......plans are made, drivers are scheduled............Ike's track changes and it seems as though he's going into the gulf. This particular update it looks as though he'll head right for our property....next update looks as though he'll head farther west, possibly Alabama or Mississippi.........We take a look at things again and decide it's best to come in from the east from Florida rather than trying to drive from the North following landfall so we keep the plans the same.......HAVE YOU TOTALLY LOST INTEREST YET?????
I bet you'll never ask about logistics again, will you?!?!? :-)
(and remember.....this is just the logistics about where to meet before the hurricane hits!!!!)
Ok, where was I?!?!.........Oh ya......I have you caught up to yesterday.....see this isn't so bad :)
So we have 2 of our coordinators (Bob and Shirley Card from Ohio) take the shower trailer to Florida (it had just returned from the Iowa floods) so they could come right back and pick up another trailer and go back down when we all meet there together. Sounds good so far.......Meanwhile........yesterday afternoon I begin receiving phone calls from Louisiana saying DRT is needed in Louisiana in a couple of areas that have absolutely no help at all!! OK.........BUT, that's not all........The new hurricane forecast update looks more and more like Ike could head for Louisiana or even Texas!!! ---------Well you don't need to know too much geography to know that is quite a ways from Florida! ;) AND.....Remember......Bob and Shirley are already on their way with the shower trailer to Florida.

Well, we have some new decisions to make.

1. Do we change all plans and immediately send the coordinators and take all of our equipment to Louisiana where we are told we are needed?

2. Do we hold off and see just where Ike is going first?

3. What do we do about Bob and Shirley who are already almost to Florida with the shower trailer?

One of the WONDERFUL things about being a Christian is.....we don't have to make all the decisions alone. :) So......we pray. (Laura's side note: I can't imagine how people that don't pray get through their day)
Anyway......We weigh things out and decide that if Ike does head for Louisiana we'll all have to evacuate anyway within a couple days of when we would have been able to get everything set up. Talk about a logistic nightmare (we've had to do this before following Hurricane Charley, what I've described above logistically is nothing compared to evacuating)

So.... 1. We decide for now to "hold off" a few days and see what Ike seems to do (maybe he'll fizzle over Cuba!!)

2. Yes

3. Bob and Shirley call and come up with a suggestion of going on to Florida, picking up a few more chain saws and equipment, etc. then taking the trailer west part way and drop it at the Creekwood Church of Christ in Mobile, Alabama (where we based one of our relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina) until Ike makes landfall ..GREAT IDEA BOB AND SHIRLEY!!!!! We call Creekwood, they have no problem with us leaving the trailer there and voila~
Next step is to contact all our drivers and coordinators with a new staging area west of Florida and we're done for another day.
I'm just glad to be done with the "frustrations" and hopefully return to the "nitty gritty" tomorrow ;-)

I've never had a hard drive crash......well not until a couple of weeks ago!!
Here are a couple of things I've realized in the process:
1. I "can" go without a computer for longer than a day.
2. It isn't easy to go without a computer for longer than a day.
3. I'm VERY thankful for an offsite back up service my mom recently recommended.

ANYWAY......I'm back online now and wanted to give some updates.

First the Personal Updates:
Thank you so much to all of you who have pr.ayed for and sent cards to my mom. It really means alot to her (and to me). If you didn't see my earlier post, my mom has had a recurrence of breast cancer. She has started going through radiation treatments and is doing great. She has another 4 weeks to go. I am here in Ohio to be with her but plan, Lord-willing to go to Cedar Rapids around the 2nd week of August.
It would mean so much to me if you would add my mother to your prayer list. If you would like to send her a card the info is:
Janet Baker
19371 Knox Lake Rd.
Fredericktown, Ohio 43019

My next prayer request is for one of our very special DRT volunteers. She also has been diagnosed with breast cancer and just had surgery last week. She is now home from the hospital. Her info is:
Shirley Shockey
P.O. Box 211
Lodi, Ohio 44254

Now For DRT News:

Tonight at 7:00 pm Harding's Theatron will be performing at the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids, IA. for the church and community. That will be a special treat after the trauma they have all been through.

****

Thanks to so many wonderful DRT volunteers we have had 223 volunteers so far with another 55 registered for the 1st 2 weeks in August. 692 Flood survivors have been assisted!! PRAISE GOD!!

Look for more pictures starting tomorrow.

Will you see your picture or anyone you know?!? :)

DRT VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST!!

DRT volunteers in Cedar Rapids, IA






Mark tells me that GOD is working in such awesome ways in Cedar Rapids, IA. He tells me the "GOD Thing" events that I talked about last week are happening constantly. Here's one more he told me about:

Yesterday we had a youth group of about 65-70 volunteers that were traveling from the Lewisville Church of Christ in Texas to work with us in Cedar Rapids. They had planned to be here in time to eat dinner. Well.........things don't always go as planned and they ran into a few challenges that put them behind schedule so they stopped along the way at a restaurant to eat. While inside, a man came up to them to see where so many young people were headed. They told him they were coming to volunteer in Cedar Rapids. He then (obviously impressed! We have Super Volunteers!!) told them that he wanted to cover the expense of everyones meal that night. WHAT?!?!? ..............65-70 PEOPLE????? Pay over $500. on meals for people he didn't even know?!?!? ...........YEP.....It's definitely a GOD THING!! The LORD just continues to keep blessing DRT over and over. We Praise HIM!!

As always, we have wonderful volunteers coming to Cedar Rapids to work with us.
The Central Church of Christ has been so gracious to all of DRT. They also are real workers themselves and are spending hours upon hours in the relief effort.
We've also had volunteers from Cedar Rapids as well as other locations in Iowa.
So far we've had volunteers from the following states:

Iowa
Michigan
Missouri
Ohio
Texas
Virginia

We also have volunteers scheduled from the following states:
Alabama
California
Michigan -- More from MI.!! :)
Ohio-- More from OH!! :)
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas-- More from TX!! :)
Michigan--More from MI!! :)

We are so thankful to everyone who comes to work with DRT. You are amazing and such an inspiration to us as well as everyone around you.

Why don't YOU decide to come and be a part of this wonderful mission?? YOU ARE NEEDED!!

YOU ARE NEEDED!!!!

July 4, 2008 -- Independence Day!!
It's an exciting time. Fireworks, Family get-togethers, Cookouts and remembering the reason we celebrate this day of Independence.

There are those who, in a different way, may not be feeling so independent. Many are feeling very helpless and dependent on others due to tragic disasters across the U.S.
DRT is onsite in Cedar Rapids, Iowa working with the Central Church of Christ.

Many of you have already helped with praying, volunteering, making care packs and sending financial donations and we are so thankful to you!!

BUT WE STILL NEED MORE HELP

Mark informs me that they have stopped accepting applications for help from the
community (for now). They currently have over 500 families on the waiting list requesting help to clean out their houses. I just received a call from the Council on Aging in Cedar Rapids requesting help for many elderly residents as well. Many of these did not have insurance.

PLEASE HELP US REACH OUT TO THEM.
Several of those affected are members of local Churches of Christ and several of them do not have insurance.
We desperately need Prayers, Volunteers and financial donations to help.

We can house up to 125 volunteers at a time. We have our shower and tools trailers onsite and DRT will provide continental breakfast, sack lunch and evening meals for all volunteers.

If you are able to volunteer, please fill out the volunteer sign up form on our website.
http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org

To send donations: You many do so online through our website or by postal mail:

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

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.