Tuesday, December 15, 2009
See an old friend Sunday
THE Brendan Hendrix of "Git R Done" disaster relief fame at Tammany Oaks, Hilltop Rescue, and other efforts after katrina will be visiting at Westerville Christian Church Sunday with us! If you are in the area and would like to say hi, let me know ASAP and we'll hook up on details.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Aaron Johnson's October update from The Gathering church plant in Chalmette
Aaron Johnson with The Gathering Christian Church plant who we have worked with in Chalmette, Louisiana sends a monthly newsletter. For those who don't know, His family has moved down from Indiana to build the church there as have Matt Wooodward and several other ministry staff. Their church is growing and the previous bowling alley they are building into their community center and meeting place is finally coming along too.
Since this is an especially eventful newsletter (think growing family) I thought I'd post it for you. To view the PDF, click THIS LINK
Since this is an especially eventful newsletter (think growing family) I thought I'd post it for you. To view the PDF, click THIS LINK
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Ida know...
Ida is expected to come into Pensacola Tuesday as a Cat2 hurricane. It could be stronger or weaker, but seems to be making a bee line for that section of the coast. Hurricane warnings are up from Biloxi Mississippi all they way around past Panama Beach Florida. That puts our friends in Bayou La Batre squarely in the effected zone.
A category 2 won't likely bring the kind of wind damage and storm surge that a major hurricane like Katrina and Ike did, but can still be dangerous.
Please offer up prayers for our friends and those involved in their mission there.
A category 2 won't likely bring the kind of wind damage and storm surge that a major hurricane like Katrina and Ike did, but can still be dangerous.
Please offer up prayers for our friends and those involved in their mission there.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Lots of disasters in the last week...
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief sent an update out on all last night. This is a good, concise status on these areas.
Disaster Relief Update - Wednesday, September 30, 2009
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (HCSV)
The Lord has given Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers many opportunities to show His compassion and kindness towards others. From Georgia to American Samoa and on to the Philippines, hurting people need the touch of Christ.
Tsunami Devastates American Samoa
The North American Mission Board has been in contact with the Hawaii-Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC). The tsunami that struck American Samoa Tuesday left in its wake wholesale destruction across the capitol city. The damage includes the Baptist Seafarer’s Center where nothing is left but the cement shell. Missionaries Joeli and Tupe Sovea, along with their children, lived at the Seafarer’s Center and saw all of their personal possessions washed away with the rest of the contents of the building. Thankfully the family is safe. The Happy Valley Baptist Church, located near the airport in Pago Pago was spared. Property destruction across the island chain is immense and lost of life is great. Pray for the faithful on the ground that they may truly be a light in the darkness.
Hawaii Baptists were spared and are now in the process of preparing to respond to American Samoa with their airlift kitchen and 15 volunteers. The logistics of getting to American Samoa with the ‘Fly Away’ Feeding unit, food and volunteers to staff the unit is the next hurdle. Pray for wisdom and patience as Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Disaster Relief leaders and NAMB Staff work with the American Red Cross and FEMA. The Disaster Operations Center at NAMB is working closely with HPBC leaders in an effort to support them in this monumental task. There is the possibility units from other state conventions will be requested. If the request comes DOC staff will forward HPBC’s request knowing that SBDR volunteers will respond as they are able. We do serve an awesome God!
Read more at Baptist Press.
Floods in the Philippines
The heavy rains that flooded the Philippines have created an opportunity for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry through our working relationship with Baptist Global Response, the aid arm of the International Mission Board. BGR has requested assistance in accordance with our agreement and at this time four states (KY, SBTC, OK and TBM) are gearing up to send teams to assist in the Baptist response there.
Earthquake Shakes Indonesia
A large earthquake shook the nation of Indonesia late Tuesday. At the time of this update there has been no request from our international partner, BGR, for assistance. We do join our brothers and sisters of Indonesia in prayer. May the unbounded love and power of our Lord Jesus Christ be manifested through those already on the ground!
Georgia Cleanup Continues
We are in the midst of our second week of response to the floods that have destroyed whole neighborhoods in the Atlanta area as well as Toccoa and Trion. At the time of this update there are 7 states on site helping GA Baptists in the relief efforts. There are many other states that stand ready to assist as needed.
Support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Efforts
Your prayers are your most important contribution to all of these relief efforts. Pray for victims, volunteers and leadership.
You can also support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts with your financial gifts online or by contacting your State Baptist Convention Disaster Relief office
Disaster Relief Update - Wednesday, September 30, 2009
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (HCSV)
The Lord has given Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers many opportunities to show His compassion and kindness towards others. From Georgia to American Samoa and on to the Philippines, hurting people need the touch of Christ.
Tsunami Devastates American Samoa
The North American Mission Board has been in contact with the Hawaii-Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC). The tsunami that struck American Samoa Tuesday left in its wake wholesale destruction across the capitol city. The damage includes the Baptist Seafarer’s Center where nothing is left but the cement shell. Missionaries Joeli and Tupe Sovea, along with their children, lived at the Seafarer’s Center and saw all of their personal possessions washed away with the rest of the contents of the building. Thankfully the family is safe. The Happy Valley Baptist Church, located near the airport in Pago Pago was spared. Property destruction across the island chain is immense and lost of life is great. Pray for the faithful on the ground that they may truly be a light in the darkness.
Hawaii Baptists were spared and are now in the process of preparing to respond to American Samoa with their airlift kitchen and 15 volunteers. The logistics of getting to American Samoa with the ‘Fly Away’ Feeding unit, food and volunteers to staff the unit is the next hurdle. Pray for wisdom and patience as Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Disaster Relief leaders and NAMB Staff work with the American Red Cross and FEMA. The Disaster Operations Center at NAMB is working closely with HPBC leaders in an effort to support them in this monumental task. There is the possibility units from other state conventions will be requested. If the request comes DOC staff will forward HPBC’s request knowing that SBDR volunteers will respond as they are able. We do serve an awesome God!
Read more at Baptist Press.
Floods in the Philippines
The heavy rains that flooded the Philippines have created an opportunity for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry through our working relationship with Baptist Global Response, the aid arm of the International Mission Board. BGR has requested assistance in accordance with our agreement and at this time four states (KY, SBTC, OK and TBM) are gearing up to send teams to assist in the Baptist response there.
Earthquake Shakes Indonesia
A large earthquake shook the nation of Indonesia late Tuesday. At the time of this update there has been no request from our international partner, BGR, for assistance. We do join our brothers and sisters of Indonesia in prayer. May the unbounded love and power of our Lord Jesus Christ be manifested through those already on the ground!
Georgia Cleanup Continues
We are in the midst of our second week of response to the floods that have destroyed whole neighborhoods in the Atlanta area as well as Toccoa and Trion. At the time of this update there are 7 states on site helping GA Baptists in the relief efforts. There are many other states that stand ready to assist as needed.
Support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Efforts
Your prayers are your most important contribution to all of these relief efforts. Pray for victims, volunteers and leadership.
You can also support Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts with your financial gifts online or by contacting your State Baptist Convention Disaster Relief office
Monday, September 28, 2009
Georgia Flooding Update from Southern Baptists
Georgia Flood
The Georgia flood has been described as an “epic flood.” Seventeen counties have now been declared disaster areas by the Georgia Governor’s Office with 14 of those counties having been approved and designated as disasters by the President’s Office. Damage estimates from the State Insurance Office could exceed $500 million.
The response has taken time to get underway. Stuart Lang, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Director, reported, “Some roads are still impassable.” GEMA reported that 4,636 FEMA Individual Assistance registrations have been received as of 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26th.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has activated 21 DR teams including feeding, recovery, chaplain, assessment, mud-out, and command/communication units. Mud-out teams in the Trion/Summerville area have neared completion of the work in that area. Stuart says, “Local churches have been involved in ministering to their communities.” Georgia Baptist has facilitated this ministry.
The North American Mission Board is supporting Georgia Baptist with the deployment and placement of state convention partners. Alabama has three units deployed. Additional volunteers from Alabama, Kentucky, Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, Texas Baptist Men, and Baptist General Association of Virginia have been activated and are traveling this week. Additional state partners are standing ready to respond as assessment continues and needs are clarified.
The NAMB command post, generator unit, and shower trailer have been deployed and are operational.
A staffed phone center with a toll-free number (1 800 460-6881) has been activated and is taking calls from homeowners who have been affected by the flood and need assistance. The phone center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at this time.
Please continue to pray for all involved.
National Disaster Relief Leadership
• Bruce Poss, Disaster Relief Unit Coordinator
• Terry Henderson, Disaster Relief Operations Consultant
• Karl Ragan, Disaster Relief Planning Consultant
To contact the Disaster Operation Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net
The Georgia flood has been described as an “epic flood.” Seventeen counties have now been declared disaster areas by the Georgia Governor’s Office with 14 of those counties having been approved and designated as disasters by the President’s Office. Damage estimates from the State Insurance Office could exceed $500 million.
The response has taken time to get underway. Stuart Lang, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Director, reported, “Some roads are still impassable.” GEMA reported that 4,636 FEMA Individual Assistance registrations have been received as of 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26th.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has activated 21 DR teams including feeding, recovery, chaplain, assessment, mud-out, and command/communication units. Mud-out teams in the Trion/Summerville area have neared completion of the work in that area. Stuart says, “Local churches have been involved in ministering to their communities.” Georgia Baptist has facilitated this ministry.
The North American Mission Board is supporting Georgia Baptist with the deployment and placement of state convention partners. Alabama has three units deployed. Additional volunteers from Alabama, Kentucky, Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, Texas Baptist Men, and Baptist General Association of Virginia have been activated and are traveling this week. Additional state partners are standing ready to respond as assessment continues and needs are clarified.
The NAMB command post, generator unit, and shower trailer have been deployed and are operational.
A staffed phone center with a toll-free number (1 800 460-6881) has been activated and is taking calls from homeowners who have been affected by the flood and need assistance. The phone center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at this time.
Please continue to pray for all involved.
National Disaster Relief Leadership
• Bruce Poss, Disaster Relief Unit Coordinator
• Terry Henderson, Disaster Relief Operations Consultant
• Karl Ragan, Disaster Relief Planning Consultant
To contact the Disaster Operation Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net
Friday, September 25, 2009
Georgia Flooding
I received emails from 4 faith based relief groups yesterday. This is in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief's back yard. They expect outside help will be needed mucking and helping the large number of un-insured rebuild, but the work isn't ready for volunteers yet. An update today says that they are working to set up operations in Toccoa, Trion, Austell, Powder Springs and Douglasville, Georgia.
Luthern Disaster Services is the VOAD in Georgia and they say pretty much the same thing, but they usually spend 2 or 3 weeks getting dig in and spun up.
Churches of Christ DRT is setting up in the Churches of Christ in the Austell, Powder Springs, and Douglasville areas of Georgia.
You can see from this google map that these areas are all to the West of Atlanta, not far outside the loop.
View Larger Map
As I am leaving for a mission trip to Zimbabwe next Friday, October 2 for two weeks, I am unable to coordinate any trips down at this time. Please do not let this dissuade you from getting involved! If someone can take the lead on organizing a team or two during this time, please call me this week and I can help you get it started. There are a couple people I'll be calling on to lead this effort. As information becomes available it'll be posted here and sent via email.
Luthern Disaster Services is the VOAD in Georgia and they say pretty much the same thing, but they usually spend 2 or 3 weeks getting dig in and spun up.
Churches of Christ DRT is setting up in the Churches of Christ in the Austell, Powder Springs, and Douglasville areas of Georgia.
You can see from this google map that these areas are all to the West of Atlanta, not far outside the loop.
View Larger Map
As I am leaving for a mission trip to Zimbabwe next Friday, October 2 for two weeks, I am unable to coordinate any trips down at this time. Please do not let this dissuade you from getting involved! If someone can take the lead on organizing a team or two during this time, please call me this week and I can help you get it started. There are a couple people I'll be calling on to lead this effort. As information becomes available it'll be posted here and sent via email.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Servants Unite Status Update
"No tropical cyclones at this time." Not quite, but nearly the story of the summer. While there have been a couple storms in the Atlantic and Pacific and some localized flooding events this summer, the major events we usually respond to have just not occurred. We've just passed the anniversary of Katrina/Rita (has it really been 4 years?) and Hurricanes Gustov and Ike from a year ago our last official response. Remember when our power was still out and front yards were still full of tree limbs this time last year?
Cleanup is still underway for all of these events, but it seems most people who have been involved with Servants Unite have focused more on financial crises and other events that hit closer to home. Personally, I've been consulting (I'm an IT consultant when not doing disaster relief) and been blessed with a lot of time to get in better shape with my wife and spend some serious quality time with my kids. I hope God has blessed all of you with the same. A time of peace and reassurance.
Now I believe this current lull is only that. We live in a fallen world that is subject to all kinds of disaster. In the last 9 years we've seen just about everything. It terrifies me to think what God may be preparing us for with this respite and more healthful lifestyle he's helped me and some other ministry friends into this summer. When the next big thing comes along, I will be contacting you. Servants Unite will be spinning back up. And with all that we've learned in the last 4 years we'll be ever more able to shine the light of Christ on disaster victims and engage our friends, family, and neighbors in mission work.
Next month, October 2-13, I'll be on a mission trip with Westerville Christian Church to Zimbabwe. We'll be spreading the gospel to people who have never heard it. Apparently a bunch of white Americans can really draw a crowd there. We're also taking seeds, clothes, basketballs and soccer balls. We'll be building a home for the preacher of the church we've been supporting there as he is getting married during our visit. We're also setting up some basketball goals we shipped in a container last year. Should be a busy 8 days in country and a long haul out and back traveling.
Will you please pray for this trip and for me personally to be all God intends?
If you'd like a taste, you can take a tour of an African village with "Step Into Africa", a World Vision exhibit at Westerville Christian September 25-29. For more information on that, go to www.westerville-christian.org.
If you're rested and aching for some mission work. We do need to organize a fall and winter trip to Chalmette to build out the community center for The Gathering Christian Church plant. They have their building permit and are ready to build a house for God's people to work in a previously flooded out bowling alley. If you can help with this by taking a week off this fall for missions, especially if you have some handyman type skills, please let me know when you are available and we'll start planning a trip. You can email or call using the contact information at the top of the blog.
Servants Unite!
You can follow Servants Unite on Twitter. You can also friend john@servantsunite.org on Facebook and join the Servants Unite group there.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Visit Warm and Cheerful Chalmette This Fall!
The Gathering Christian Church plant that we've worked with in Chalmette the last two years has the go ahead to build out the bowling alley for their community center. They need us back to help get that done. Plans are not yet made. If you have availability for a week or two, please email me with special skills you have and times you could go. I'll publish that back out to the list to see if we can nail down a trip or two to help them out.
If you haven't been back since soon after the storm, you'll appreciate the difference. People live there again. Baseball happens. School happens. Going out for dinner or ice-cream happens. It'll do your heart good to see some of the fruits of your previous labors and help the continued recovery at the same time.
Here's the information I have from them right now:
"The Gathering Place"
We are moving forward with our building and from now on will refer to it as The Gathering Place- our future community center and meeting place for the church! We got our final building permit at the end of July and hope to close on the purchase of it in September. To the right is the floor plan of the first phase, with two more areas for future phases. This area will hold counseling offices, a multi-purpose room, meeting spaces, and restrooms.
We are extremely excited to watch as God builds this place of ministry. We are prayerfully planning as we move forward with what He has already provided. This August we will be working on tying re-bar, installing under-slab plumbing, and pouring concrete. Please lift us up in these endeavors!
If you haven't been back since soon after the storm, you'll appreciate the difference. People live there again. Baseball happens. School happens. Going out for dinner or ice-cream happens. It'll do your heart good to see some of the fruits of your previous labors and help the continued recovery at the same time.
Here's the information I have from them right now:
"The Gathering Place"
We are moving forward with our building and from now on will refer to it as The Gathering Place- our future community center and meeting place for the church! We got our final building permit at the end of July and hope to close on the purchase of it in September. To the right is the floor plan of the first phase, with two more areas for future phases. This area will hold counseling offices, a multi-purpose room, meeting spaces, and restrooms.
We are extremely excited to watch as God builds this place of ministry. We are prayerfully planning as we move forward with what He has already provided. This August we will be working on tying re-bar, installing under-slab plumbing, and pouring concrete. Please lift us up in these endeavors!
2009 Hurricane Season So Far
Just so people don't think I'm watching.... There is a major hurricane, "Bill" out in the Atlantic, but it is not expected to make landfall. There's a chance for storm development in the Gulf of Mexico, but this storm season has been unexpectedly light. Even in the midwest where we generally have a few flooding and severe storm events a year, there has been little of the mahem we've come to expect the last few years.
Due to a general lack of interest over the past 12 months, we're kind of in a holding pattern as an organization. When the next big thing happens though details on how you can help will be here as will I and other's who have been team leaders in Servants Unite over the last 4 years since Katrina came onshore.
I pray that you've had the opportunity to spend more time with your families and other ministries recently. We will be called on again and your help will continue to be needed.
Due to a general lack of interest over the past 12 months, we're kind of in a holding pattern as an organization. When the next big thing happens though details on how you can help will be here as will I and other's who have been team leaders in Servants Unite over the last 4 years since Katrina came onshore.
I pray that you've had the opportunity to spend more time with your families and other ministries recently. We will be called on again and your help will continue to be needed.
Local work opportunity
President Obama recently announced a Summer of Service initiative called United We Serve. This 81 day initiative will culminate with a new National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, 2009.
Rebuilding Together Central Ohio is ready to answer President Obama's call! In the spirit of United We Serve and the new National Day of Service, RTCO is looking to mobilize 100 volunteers in the greater Columbus region. In volunteering, Americans will be reaching out to impact our neighborhoods in the areas of energy efficiency, sustainability, and beautification.
Volunteer activities will include:
Energy Efficiency Outreach Project
o Assembling and distributing 500 Energy
Efficiency Outreach bags to local residents
Community Garden Maintenance
o Clean up local community gardens, turning soil and
preparing them for the Fall and Winter months
Street Clean Up
o Canvassing local streets for trash, separating
recyclables from non-recyclables
The dates of service are August 28th and 29th. Volunteers will meet at Rebuilding Together Central Ohio's Office and go out into the community from there. The first 100 volunteers will receive a United We Serve - Rebuilding Together T-Shirt and water bottle.
Interested?
Contact:
Aaron Murphy at aaron@rtcolumbus.org or
Jonathan Duffy at jonathan@rtcolumbus.org
Rebuilding Together Central Ohio is ready to answer President Obama's call! In the spirit of United We Serve and the new National Day of Service, RTCO is looking to mobilize 100 volunteers in the greater Columbus region. In volunteering, Americans will be reaching out to impact our neighborhoods in the areas of energy efficiency, sustainability, and beautification.
Volunteer activities will include:
Energy Efficiency Outreach Project
o Assembling and distributing 500 Energy
Efficiency Outreach bags to local residents
Community Garden Maintenance
o Clean up local community gardens, turning soil and
preparing them for the Fall and Winter months
Street Clean Up
o Canvassing local streets for trash, separating
recyclables from non-recyclables
The dates of service are August 28th and 29th. Volunteers will meet at Rebuilding Together Central Ohio's Office and go out into the community from there. The first 100 volunteers will receive a United We Serve - Rebuilding Together T-Shirt and water bottle.
Interested?
Contact:
Aaron Murphy at aaron@rtcolumbus.org or
Jonathan Duffy at jonathan@rtcolumbus.org
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Need a big adventure this summer?
Mennonite Disaster Services is building log houses in Eagle Alaska on the Yukon river. Details on that and their other projects are below:
This is the MDS Update for July 2, 2009
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ALASKA PROJECT
After heavy flooding this spring along the Yukon River, homes in Eagle, Alaska sustained extensive damage. MDS will begin a binational project in Eagle in July. We are seeking strong adult volunteers to help construct 13 log homes between July 13 and September 12, 2009. Volunteers must be in excellent physical health and able to assist with a variety of construction activities. Volunteers will be expected to work 10-12 hours a day, six days a week on a construction crew. Accommodations will consist of insulated tents with no running water. Meals will be supplied by local volunteers. Travel to the project will be provided and requires small aircraft travel from Fairbanks. Minimum time commitment is two weeks with preference given to volunteers who are able to serve four weeks or more. If interested, please contact our Akron office at (800)241-8111.
CURRENT NEEDS
Caretakers
Diamond, LA: July 25-Oct 3
Caretakers are volunteers who stay at the project to answer the phones, clean the MDS facilities, do small repairs, organize tools, and provide general maintenance so that the projects will be ready to start up again when the volunteer groups return.
Call if you are available to serve for any amount of time.
For information, call Sarah Yoder at (800)241-8111.
HOUSE BUILD IN COLUMBUS
Thanks to volunteers at the MC USA Convention in Columbus, Ohio, Kristy B., a single mother from Pass Christian, MS, will have a new home soon. During the second day of the MC USA convention, 15 volunteers took part in constructing the walls of Kristy's new house. More volunteers are expected in the days to come as youth groups continue to sign up. The house build is highlighting MDS' Partnership Home Program in which churches have the opportunity to partner with MDS to build a house for a family in need of a home. On Saturday, July 4, MDS will give volunteers the opportunity to participate in a house dedication before the house is dismantled and placed on a truck to be driven to Pass Christian where it will be completed.
DIAMOND, LOUISIANA
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes
At Mr. Ron’s house, we had anywhere from two to three crews working at the same time. Much was accomplished on his house this week! All of the siding, soffit and facia are now on the house, and crews were working on priming and painting the siding. We had a few crews working on finishing up some of the electrical wiring and plumbing so the house can get a rough-in inspection next week. Mr. Ron is really looking forward to living in his new house!
DULZURA, CALIFORNIA
Disaster: 2007 Wildfires
This week saw the windows arrive for the B house and the C house. The windows were installed in less than half a day with much credit due to good framing practices that had all the rough openings the correct size. With the house now wrapped and the windows installed we can get the next inspection on its way. The facia and soffits were also completed by week’s end with the house taking on a completely new look. The plumbing and electrical rough-ins have also been completed and now the sprinkler system can be installed. When the next inspection passes we can then get to work on the siding and drywall after the roof is done.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes
The weather remained extremely hot and humid when the team from Harvest Community Church arrived. Many in the team had served with MDS before, and knowing the routine, were anxious to get to work. The week was entirely dedicated to finishing the interior of the home belonging to Ms. Marie. Trim work was completed and painted, closet doors hung, interior doors painted.
PASS CHRISTIAN, MISSISSIPPI
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes
This project will re-open July 5.
Contributions may be sent to:
USA: 1018 Main Street, Akron, PA 17501 or
Can.: 6A-1325 Markham Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6
Online: Donate
Telephone: (717) 859-2210 or (800) 241-8111
To stop receiving these e-mails, click here: Unsubscribe
This is the MDS Update for July 2, 2009
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ALASKA PROJECT
After heavy flooding this spring along the Yukon River, homes in Eagle, Alaska sustained extensive damage. MDS will begin a binational project in Eagle in July. We are seeking strong adult volunteers to help construct 13 log homes between July 13 and September 12, 2009. Volunteers must be in excellent physical health and able to assist with a variety of construction activities. Volunteers will be expected to work 10-12 hours a day, six days a week on a construction crew. Accommodations will consist of insulated tents with no running water. Meals will be supplied by local volunteers. Travel to the project will be provided and requires small aircraft travel from Fairbanks. Minimum time commitment is two weeks with preference given to volunteers who are able to serve four weeks or more. If interested, please contact our Akron office at (800)241-8111.
CURRENT NEEDS
Caretakers
Diamond, LA: July 25-Oct 3
Caretakers are volunteers who stay at the project to answer the phones, clean the MDS facilities, do small repairs, organize tools, and provide general maintenance so that the projects will be ready to start up again when the volunteer groups return.
Call if you are available to serve for any amount of time.
For information, call Sarah Yoder at (800)241-8111.
HOUSE BUILD IN COLUMBUS
Thanks to volunteers at the MC USA Convention in Columbus, Ohio, Kristy B., a single mother from Pass Christian, MS, will have a new home soon. During the second day of the MC USA convention, 15 volunteers took part in constructing the walls of Kristy's new house. More volunteers are expected in the days to come as youth groups continue to sign up. The house build is highlighting MDS' Partnership Home Program in which churches have the opportunity to partner with MDS to build a house for a family in need of a home. On Saturday, July 4, MDS will give volunteers the opportunity to participate in a house dedication before the house is dismantled and placed on a truck to be driven to Pass Christian where it will be completed.
DIAMOND, LOUISIANA
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes
At Mr. Ron’s house, we had anywhere from two to three crews working at the same time. Much was accomplished on his house this week! All of the siding, soffit and facia are now on the house, and crews were working on priming and painting the siding. We had a few crews working on finishing up some of the electrical wiring and plumbing so the house can get a rough-in inspection next week. Mr. Ron is really looking forward to living in his new house!
DULZURA, CALIFORNIA
Disaster: 2007 Wildfires
This week saw the windows arrive for the B house and the C house. The windows were installed in less than half a day with much credit due to good framing practices that had all the rough openings the correct size. With the house now wrapped and the windows installed we can get the next inspection on its way. The facia and soffits were also completed by week’s end with the house taking on a completely new look. The plumbing and electrical rough-ins have also been completed and now the sprinkler system can be installed. When the next inspection passes we can then get to work on the siding and drywall after the roof is done.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes
The weather remained extremely hot and humid when the team from Harvest Community Church arrived. Many in the team had served with MDS before, and knowing the routine, were anxious to get to work. The week was entirely dedicated to finishing the interior of the home belonging to Ms. Marie. Trim work was completed and painted, closet doors hung, interior doors painted.
PASS CHRISTIAN, MISSISSIPPI
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes
This project will re-open July 5.
Contributions may be sent to:
USA: 1018 Main Street, Akron, PA 17501 or
Can.: 6A-1325 Markham Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6
Online: Donate
Telephone: (717) 859-2210 or (800) 241-8111
To stop receiving these e-mails, click here: Unsubscribe
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Local volunteer opportunity
As a volunteer driven organization, the hard work and dedication of volunteers like you makes our success possible. Interested in lending a hand?
Ruby needs a helping hand with the following repairs:
*Repair/replace drawer fronts on 2 kitchen cabinet drawers
*Get closet door in bedroom to run properly on tracks
*Remove old caulk around tub and re-caulk.
*Repair or replace kitchen faucet.
*Fix loose master bath pedestal sink
Ruby lives in the 43211 zip code.
If you are interested in making a difference in this homeowners' life please contact:
Aaron Murphy
Volunteer Coordinator
(614) 258-6392 or
aaron@rtcolumbus.org
Ruby needs a helping hand with the following repairs:
*Repair/replace drawer fronts on 2 kitchen cabinet drawers
*Get closet door in bedroom to run properly on tracks
*Remove old caulk around tub and re-caulk.
*Repair or replace kitchen faucet.
*Fix loose master bath pedestal sink
Ruby lives in the 43211 zip code.
If you are interested in making a difference in this homeowners' life please contact:
Aaron Murphy
Volunteer Coordinator
(614) 258-6392 or
aaron@rtcolumbus.org
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Rebuilding Together Columbs looking for some light help
As a volunteer driven organization, the hard work and dedication of volunteers like you makes our success possible. Interested in lending a hand?
Brenda received services during our Christmas in April Event but there are still a few loose ends that need to be tied up before we can call her project complete. We are looking for a couple of volunteers to caulk around the new tub surround and window, finish the drywall and paint the bathroom. Brenda lives in the 43219 zip code.
If you are interested in making a difference in this homeowners' life please contact:
Aaron Murphy
Volunteer Coordinator
(614) 258-6392 or
aaron@rtcolumbus.org
Brenda received services during our Christmas in April Event but there are still a few loose ends that need to be tied up before we can call her project complete. We are looking for a couple of volunteers to caulk around the new tub surround and window, finish the drywall and paint the bathroom. Brenda lives in the 43219 zip code.
If you are interested in making a difference in this homeowners' life please contact:
Aaron Murphy
Volunteer Coordinator
(614) 258-6392 or
aaron@rtcolumbus.org
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Update on Various Spring Disasters from Southern Baptists
Forwarding this to all of you as a way to illustrate the present needs for Disaster Relief work. Most everything that has come up in the last few months is being taken care of locally. Keep an eye out, though, for needs associated with the potential flu pandemic as well as spring storms and flooding.
Disaster Relief Update - Wednesday April 29, 2009
"…in whom you also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit."
(Ephesians 2:22)
2009 Disaster Relief Roundtable
A productive week has just concluded in Phoenix, Arizona. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Roundtable included leadership from across the United States. It included wonderful times of worship, discussion about how Southern Baptists can better serve our Lord through the ministry of Disaster Relief. Our partners; American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, FEMA and The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships had representatives at the meeting.
An important decision about credentialing was made. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief now has a standard name badge that will be recognized by security officials when entering a disaster area.
The annual Disaster awards were also presented. This year’s recipients were:
Robert Dixon Award – Norman Wagoner
Joel Philips Award– Rick Taylor and Tom Cline
Distinguished Volunteer Award – Steve Chrisman, Al Martin, Golden Schell, Carol and Thurman Stewart and Tom Westerfield
Swine Flu Spreading
As the number of cases of Swine Flu climb in the US and around the world the World Health Organization and The Centers for Disease Control have issued a Phase 4 Alert. A wide array of resources and up to date information are available on the CDC website www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
North Myrtle Beach South Carolina Fire
To date 79 homes have been destroyed and 150-200 homes have been damaged and are unable to be occupied. SCDR is working with all emergency factors in the county. At this time a command post has been established at First Baptist Church North Myrtle Beach. A feeding unit, shower unit, and a multitude of crisis interveners and chaplains are on foot within the communities devastated by the fires. Assessment and chainsaw units will respond to cut down the burned, scorched, dying and dead trees around homes.
Texas Fires
SBTC volunteers are cleaning up after wildfire damage in Montague County. They are working out of FBC Bowie. They have completed 12 jobs and with 11 remaining. Jim Richardson, SBTC State DR Director, reports 81 volunteer days in this response.
Florida Floods
Florida SBDR teams continue their ministry to families who had homes damaged during recent flooding. Mudout teams and shower Units remain on site at First Baptist Church in Lee Florida.
Georgia Floods
Georgia Disaster Relief teams completed their work in response to flooding in the southern part of the state.
2009 SBDR Statistics as of April 29, 2009
SBDR volunteers have already logged over 15,000 volunteer days in 2009.
Volunteer Days 15,276
Meals Prepared 139,136
Mudout Jobs 34
Chainsaw Jobs 4,550
Repair Jobs 21
Roofing Jobs 19
Children 0
Showers 2,570
Laundry Loads 467
Water (Gallons) 0
Messages 0
Chaplaincy Contacts 635
Professions of Faith 49
Gospel Presentations 266
Other Decisions 32
Ministry Contacts 3,817
National Disaster Relief Leadership
• Bruce Poss, Disaster Relief Unit Coordinator
• Terry Henderson, Disaster Relief Operations Consultant
• Karl Ragan, Disaster Relief Planning Consultant
To contact the Disaster Operation Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net
Disaster Relief Update - Wednesday April 29, 2009
"…in whom you also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit."
(Ephesians 2:22)
2009 Disaster Relief Roundtable
A productive week has just concluded in Phoenix, Arizona. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Roundtable included leadership from across the United States. It included wonderful times of worship, discussion about how Southern Baptists can better serve our Lord through the ministry of Disaster Relief. Our partners; American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, FEMA and The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships had representatives at the meeting.
An important decision about credentialing was made. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief now has a standard name badge that will be recognized by security officials when entering a disaster area.
The annual Disaster awards were also presented. This year’s recipients were:
Robert Dixon Award – Norman Wagoner
Joel Philips Award– Rick Taylor and Tom Cline
Distinguished Volunteer Award – Steve Chrisman, Al Martin, Golden Schell, Carol and Thurman Stewart and Tom Westerfield
Swine Flu Spreading
As the number of cases of Swine Flu climb in the US and around the world the World Health Organization and The Centers for Disease Control have issued a Phase 4 Alert. A wide array of resources and up to date information are available on the CDC website www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
North Myrtle Beach South Carolina Fire
To date 79 homes have been destroyed and 150-200 homes have been damaged and are unable to be occupied. SCDR is working with all emergency factors in the county. At this time a command post has been established at First Baptist Church North Myrtle Beach. A feeding unit, shower unit, and a multitude of crisis interveners and chaplains are on foot within the communities devastated by the fires. Assessment and chainsaw units will respond to cut down the burned, scorched, dying and dead trees around homes.
Texas Fires
SBTC volunteers are cleaning up after wildfire damage in Montague County. They are working out of FBC Bowie. They have completed 12 jobs and with 11 remaining. Jim Richardson, SBTC State DR Director, reports 81 volunteer days in this response.
Florida Floods
Florida SBDR teams continue their ministry to families who had homes damaged during recent flooding. Mudout teams and shower Units remain on site at First Baptist Church in Lee Florida.
Georgia Floods
Georgia Disaster Relief teams completed their work in response to flooding in the southern part of the state.
2009 SBDR Statistics as of April 29, 2009
SBDR volunteers have already logged over 15,000 volunteer days in 2009.
Volunteer Days 15,276
Meals Prepared 139,136
Mudout Jobs 34
Chainsaw Jobs 4,550
Repair Jobs 21
Roofing Jobs 19
Children 0
Showers 2,570
Laundry Loads 467
Water (Gallons) 0
Messages 0
Chaplaincy Contacts 635
Professions of Faith 49
Gospel Presentations 266
Other Decisions 32
Ministry Contacts 3,817
National Disaster Relief Leadership
• Bruce Poss, Disaster Relief Unit Coordinator
• Terry Henderson, Disaster Relief Operations Consultant
• Karl Ragan, Disaster Relief Planning Consultant
To contact the Disaster Operation Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
3 1/2 years later, help keeps pouring in
Posted by Stephanie Grace, Columnist, The Times-Picayune March 22, 2009 2:22AM
Dear spring breakers: Thank you for coming.
I'm guessing I'm not the first person to say that to you. You've probably heard it a lot during your time here in the New Orleans area, from the people whose homes and schools you've worked to put back together and whose favorite public spaces you've helped revive, or from those who've just crossed your paths somewhere along the way. You may have also heard some variation on the theme, based on the memorable line from Streetcar Named Desire about relying on the kindness of strangers. Perhaps it's grown old by now.
But be patient. Please indulge us for getting emotional at the sight of a busload of you, heading out for a long day of work or treating yourselves to ice cream after a job well done. It's just that we find it kind of overwhelming that you're back again, or here for the first time, after 3 1/2 years.
Think about that; at your age, 3 1/2 years is an awfully big chunk of time. It's probably hard for you to fully appreciate how it feels to be well into 2009, yet still living amid the wreckage of 2005.
You also might not grasp what it's like to feel as if the rest of the world moved on a long time ago. We keep hearing about Katrina fatigue -- honestly, don't you think we have it too?
Yet we work hard to remind people that the vast majority of the Katrina victims aren't scam artists. They're just regular people whose only sin was thinking that the federal government's levees wouldn't disintegrate, homeowners fighting to get back to where they were on Aug. 28, 2005, when they still had houses and communities.
So thank you for not needing to be reminded.
You are not unique or even unusual for being here, but that doesn't make you bit players. You are part of something enormous, something powerful. Every time you roll up your sleeves and pick up a hammer or screwdriver or shovel or paintbrush or garden hoe or ladle, you move a mountain.
Collectively, you've helped to save a way of life. My colleague Bruce Nolan, who writes about the flood of volunteers that hasn't let up since the storm, swears that some of you have actually saved lives, literally, by showing up at exactly the moment when someone was ready to give up hope, and asking what you could do to help.
And you didn't just help. You let people tell you their stories, allowed them to get some of the hurt out. You met people whose lives are very different from yours, and you showed them the respect and appreciation they deserve. You found joy in what's quirky and wonderful about this place, and you gave it back to those who need it most. You listened, and for that, we thank you.
And there's one other thing. You've shown enormous heart, even when your leaders have too often been heartless.
It was bad at all levels of government, but worst at the top, among the crowd that was in charge when the storm hit.
From the early days when they dithered while the city drowned, through years of bureaucratic fighting over rebuilding projects, they tried to distance themselves from the tragedy. They didn't want to deal with it. They thought the people they represent all over the country didn't have the will, or the interest, or the attention span, to rebuild an essential American city.
They talked down to you, in assuming you'd forgotten, or were too self-involved to care after the cable news moved on to the next big story.
You proved them wrong. And for that, we thank you most of all.
. . . . . . .
Stephanie Grace is a staff writer. She may be reached at 504.826.3383 or at sgrace@timespicayune.com.
Dear spring breakers: Thank you for coming.
I'm guessing I'm not the first person to say that to you. You've probably heard it a lot during your time here in the New Orleans area, from the people whose homes and schools you've worked to put back together and whose favorite public spaces you've helped revive, or from those who've just crossed your paths somewhere along the way. You may have also heard some variation on the theme, based on the memorable line from Streetcar Named Desire about relying on the kindness of strangers. Perhaps it's grown old by now.
But be patient. Please indulge us for getting emotional at the sight of a busload of you, heading out for a long day of work or treating yourselves to ice cream after a job well done. It's just that we find it kind of overwhelming that you're back again, or here for the first time, after 3 1/2 years.
Think about that; at your age, 3 1/2 years is an awfully big chunk of time. It's probably hard for you to fully appreciate how it feels to be well into 2009, yet still living amid the wreckage of 2005.
You also might not grasp what it's like to feel as if the rest of the world moved on a long time ago. We keep hearing about Katrina fatigue -- honestly, don't you think we have it too?
Yet we work hard to remind people that the vast majority of the Katrina victims aren't scam artists. They're just regular people whose only sin was thinking that the federal government's levees wouldn't disintegrate, homeowners fighting to get back to where they were on Aug. 28, 2005, when they still had houses and communities.
So thank you for not needing to be reminded.
You are not unique or even unusual for being here, but that doesn't make you bit players. You are part of something enormous, something powerful. Every time you roll up your sleeves and pick up a hammer or screwdriver or shovel or paintbrush or garden hoe or ladle, you move a mountain.
Collectively, you've helped to save a way of life. My colleague Bruce Nolan, who writes about the flood of volunteers that hasn't let up since the storm, swears that some of you have actually saved lives, literally, by showing up at exactly the moment when someone was ready to give up hope, and asking what you could do to help.
And you didn't just help. You let people tell you their stories, allowed them to get some of the hurt out. You met people whose lives are very different from yours, and you showed them the respect and appreciation they deserve. You found joy in what's quirky and wonderful about this place, and you gave it back to those who need it most. You listened, and for that, we thank you.
And there's one other thing. You've shown enormous heart, even when your leaders have too often been heartless.
It was bad at all levels of government, but worst at the top, among the crowd that was in charge when the storm hit.
From the early days when they dithered while the city drowned, through years of bureaucratic fighting over rebuilding projects, they tried to distance themselves from the tragedy. They didn't want to deal with it. They thought the people they represent all over the country didn't have the will, or the interest, or the attention span, to rebuild an essential American city.
They talked down to you, in assuming you'd forgotten, or were too self-involved to care after the cable news moved on to the next big story.
You proved them wrong. And for that, we thank you most of all.
. . . . . . .
Stephanie Grace is a staff writer. She may be reached at 504.826.3383 or at sgrace@timespicayune.com.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Bob Lentz Worthington Christian trip to Houston
Four volunteers from Worthington Christian Church went to Houston area to work with C.O.R.E.-Alliance in rebuilding home damaged from the hurricane.
We worked on a house whose owner was 85 years old, leagally blind, with two grown children with her who are disabled. What a chore this woman as in her golden years of life.
We followed a group of college studens who had put on the first two coats of spackling on the drywall that was replaced. Our job was to sand the drywall, put on another coat of spackling, prime and paint the walls. We not only sanded and aded another coat but had to add a skim coat where required. We put on three coats of paint to get the texture that was on the walls prior to the sections of drywall that was replaced. In doing so, we were able to match the texture so the replaced drywall was not noticable.
We installed 13 interior doors, primed the trim, painted most of the trim and installed 3/4 of the trim prior. We had a great time working for the Lord and being a helping hand in a very small way.
In Him,
Bob Lentz
We worked on a house whose owner was 85 years old, leagally blind, with two grown children with her who are disabled. What a chore this woman as in her golden years of life.
We followed a group of college studens who had put on the first two coats of spackling on the drywall that was replaced. Our job was to sand the drywall, put on another coat of spackling, prime and paint the walls. We not only sanded and aded another coat but had to add a skim coat where required. We put on three coats of paint to get the texture that was on the walls prior to the sections of drywall that was replaced. In doing so, we were able to match the texture so the replaced drywall was not noticable.
We installed 13 interior doors, primed the trim, painted most of the trim and installed 3/4 of the trim prior. We had a great time working for the Lord and being a helping hand in a very small way.
In Him,
Bob Lentz
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