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

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.

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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?!? :)