Yesterday we drove through west Louisiana and into Nederland, Texas. There's no power on the Texas side anywhere except for a couple gas stations right on the I-10. We're now in Port Arthur and finding the worst hit areas, but I'll blog this out in sequence of our trip.
The wind damage is not so severe as with Rita and Katrina. Not even close, but some towns received a lot more storm surge than they did 3 years ago.
We did not visit, but Daphne German was in Laplatte, Louisiana last night and reports whole neighborhoods still underwater there.
After waiting through a lot of traffic (Texas plates headed home) we checked out Lafayette, and New Iberia and found no obvious problems there.
Delcambre, Louisiana has some flooding from storm surge. It had receeded enough that many people were already cleaning out their homes, but some roads were still flooded so we couldn't get out to the lower, extremely rural areas.
We drove west through Lake Charles finding minor wind damage, but most power is on, stores are open, and all is actually more normal there than in Ohio.
We spoke with Brian Spicer in Sulfer, Louisiana who has been running volunteer ops in West Louisiana since 2005 says most areas are OK, but he has heard from many residents of Cameron who have been rebuilding the last three years that their town is wiped away again. Even homes with 15 foot stilts (new building code) had water in them. They are in hotels he says. This area will need assistance in the weeks ahead, but there is little we can do now and can't get into the area yet.
Brian has met with 30 families from Cameron today and new information from ariel and boat surveys reinforces that the community was almost totally destroyed. They would like to have camping gear, stoves, ice chests, pots, pans, gas cans, insect repellant, probably tents, so they can live out there once they can get back into the area. They hope that will happen in the next couple of days.
We crossed the Texas border and topped off with Diesel. We turned south and drove through Orange (no power, and some wind damage) and into Bridge City. Areas around those towns flooded heavily and scuttlebut has it that many died there, but officials are not saying. We witnessed search and rescue boat and helicopter patrols at the base of the large bridge on the south end of town where we were turned back.
We drove through Beaumont (some power, some wind damage, flooded underpasses) and down into Nederland, TX where Mark Day's wife Jan has a cousin... Yea, it's that convoluted, but yet again God provided us with clean sheets a soft bed, and a tepid shower.
This morning we started in Port Arthur/Nederland area which has some wind damage and no power, but not a lot of structural damage to homes or electrical grid. A policeman, a preacher, and a church secretary we talked to all felt blessed with the outcome, but said Orange and Bridge City would really need help. We made some good contacts who may be able to host volunteers there.
We are attempting to get closer to the Boulivar Peninsula area where there was a lot of damage to assess. We don't expect to find any churches habitable down there though. We were turned back taking a southern route to Sabine Texas where they are only letting in residents, and the guy behind us with his boat who was going to rescue friends from their flooded neighborhood.
We went around another way towards High Island and were blocked by two barges washed on to the road. Dead cattle were in the ditch to the side and dead fish were scattered on the road. Got a pic (of the barges and fish) that'll I'll place here if I can.
We redirected again and ran into a closed floodwall, and after a final detour manged to get back onto the I-10 West of Beaumont.
I'll post updates as we can and as we have cell data service for Internet access.
Tim Hines reports president bush declared today that volunteer expenses would be reimbursed from the government, that we've gotten disaster fatigue and not as many people are volunteering. We hope this is true and await specifics.
Pray for us and Gary Watt's team from Hilltop Rescue as we survey the disaster zone.
Pray for all the storm victims in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky too. While I'm down here, I know many of you, including my family and Mark's are without power and cleaning up their neighborhoods. Be safe!
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
On the Road Again
Mark Day (South IB groups) and I are traveling down I-65 currently while you are enjoying the remnants of Hurricane Ike. There's been quite a lack of information coming in from the storm's aftermath so we're on our way down to scout out needs and hosting sites to work with. Post storm analysis, though, says Galveston bay only got a 13 foot storm surge rather than the possible 25 foot predicted due to a change in course of the storm. That means the maximum surge was felt more around Port Arthur and Beaumont, destinations we hope to investigate this week.
Plan on a team leaving by next Sunday for chainsaw and mudout work. Also useful will be counselors and medical types who can handle first aid for the body, the brain, and the soul. If you can join such a trip or take responsibility to lead it down, please reply by email, or call Melinda McGuire at 614-523-3996. She tells me (via cell phone), though that our power is out at the moment. Hopefully those problems up there will be short lived.
There are going to be people needing trees cut up there. Amy Fox, one of our initial volunteers, has already called with a large tree in her yard in Westerville. If you need help, or want to offer it, email replies or a call to Melinda will work to get people together for the local effort too. If you have elderly or disabled neighbors, please take this opportunity to check on them today and tomorrow.
We're staying with Tim Hines in Mandeville tonight. We will keep you posted as to what we find this week on the blog and less frequently via more emails.
As always your prayers are requested and appreciated for safety, the wisdom of the spirit, and successful outreach in Jesus' name.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Plan on a team leaving by next Sunday for chainsaw and mudout work. Also useful will be counselors and medical types who can handle first aid for the body, the brain, and the soul. If you can join such a trip or take responsibility to lead it down, please reply by email, or call Melinda McGuire at 614-523-3996. She tells me (via cell phone), though that our power is out at the moment. Hopefully those problems up there will be short lived.
There are going to be people needing trees cut up there. Amy Fox, one of our initial volunteers, has already called with a large tree in her yard in Westerville. If you need help, or want to offer it, email replies or a call to Melinda will work to get people together for the local effort too. If you have elderly or disabled neighbors, please take this opportunity to check on them today and tomorrow.
We're staying with Tim Hines in Mandeville tonight. We will keep you posted as to what we find this week on the blog and less frequently via more emails.
As always your prayers are requested and appreciated for safety, the wisdom of the spirit, and successful outreach in Jesus' name.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Saturday, September 13, 2008
This is the next big one
Our response now seems inevitable after two large storms have rolled over an area covering more than half the gulf coast in a week.
This is a telling article about the last major hurricane to hit Galveston and Houston 100 years ago.
Unfortunately, Ike, though a category 2, is expected to be producing a maximum storm surge, at this hour, of 20-25 feet; up to 11 feet higher than that 1900 storm which destroyed everything on Galveston Island. Add to that wave heights of 25-50 feet. All this due to the fact that the storm is over 900 miles wide and carries tropical storm strength winds across a 550 mile swath including much of Louisiana still recovering from Rita and Gustav. Estimates indicate, only 60% of Galveston residents left the island. Most of Houston was not evacuated to avoid the deaths and other problems experienced in the evacuation attempt from hurricane Rita 3 years ago.
As the storm has come ashore, officials are telling the press this is their worst case scenario.
Please be in prayer today for those who have lost their lives last night, those who will be out first to begin the relief response and rescue, and our part. We will need volunteers to collect water, lead teams, be hands and feet in the disaster zone, and help organize all our efforts. We need contacts in the area to find a partner to work with. We'll need the power of the Spirit to sustain us and use us to His will.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
This is a telling article about the last major hurricane to hit Galveston and Houston 100 years ago.
Unfortunately, Ike, though a category 2, is expected to be producing a maximum storm surge, at this hour, of 20-25 feet; up to 11 feet higher than that 1900 storm which destroyed everything on Galveston Island. Add to that wave heights of 25-50 feet. All this due to the fact that the storm is over 900 miles wide and carries tropical storm strength winds across a 550 mile swath including much of Louisiana still recovering from Rita and Gustav. Estimates indicate, only 60% of Galveston residents left the island. Most of Houston was not evacuated to avoid the deaths and other problems experienced in the evacuation attempt from hurricane Rita 3 years ago.
As the storm has come ashore, officials are telling the press this is their worst case scenario.
Please be in prayer today for those who have lost their lives last night, those who will be out first to begin the relief response and rescue, and our part. We will need volunteers to collect water, lead teams, be hands and feet in the disaster zone, and help organize all our efforts. We need contacts in the area to find a partner to work with. We'll need the power of the Spirit to sustain us and use us to His will.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Help for Haiti
Servants Unite, small as we are, is not an international relief organization. However, as we've been blessed with weekening storms this season, Haiti has been beaten by every one of them. A humanitarian crisis is looming.
Lifeline Christian Mission has a large mission with diverse services in Grand Goave Haiti and their US operation is based right here in Westerville, Ohio.
They are receiving 5 times the usual number of people seeking food and clean water. Unfortunately, they have had to turn people away.
To help alleviate the need, they hope to pack a container this weekend with the supplies in their warehouse to ship out next week. Volunteers may be needed in Westerville when the container arrives. I will let you know when it is there.
They are also asking for additional donations to ship as many containers as they can fill.
My recommendations is if you feel called to help organize donations for this special need they are filling, help organize your church, school group (IB kids :-), service organization, work, whatever to gather only the requested supplies at your meeting place. We can then get the supplies to Lifeline in bulk rather than several hundred people dropping off a case of water each.
Servants Unite will organize pickup of these supplies from your location and deliver them to Lifeline if you need assistance with that part of it.
If you wish to work with Lifeline directly, go for it. The contact at the office who will be handling supplies is Dana Krahel, Volunteer Coordinator. They are at 184 Olde County Line Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081. Phone: 614-794-0108.
Here's the plea letter we received this week:
We ARE having a Non Perishable Food Drive in Ohio and one in Indiana and hope to get an entire container of food ready to ship in about 1 month (we already have some food on the way now to Haiti for a stop-gap measure and we’ll buy what we have to buy, Lord willing!):
At this time we are NOT requesting clothing or shoes; only food.
We have put out a plea for funds but are also preparing a flyer to be sent to our churches asking for these items. We will receive them and send them on regular schedule containers too, as long as they keep coming in. We ship at a minimum once a quarter from our warehouse.
Thank you again and pray with us that in all of this loss that people will turn to Christ and know that He is the answer!
God bless you and tell everyone at Westerville “thank you”!
Bob and Gretchen
Lifeline Christian Mission has a large mission with diverse services in Grand Goave Haiti and their US operation is based right here in Westerville, Ohio.
They are receiving 5 times the usual number of people seeking food and clean water. Unfortunately, they have had to turn people away.
To help alleviate the need, they hope to pack a container this weekend with the supplies in their warehouse to ship out next week. Volunteers may be needed in Westerville when the container arrives. I will let you know when it is there.
They are also asking for additional donations to ship as many containers as they can fill.
My recommendations is if you feel called to help organize donations for this special need they are filling, help organize your church, school group (IB kids :-), service organization, work, whatever to gather only the requested supplies at your meeting place. We can then get the supplies to Lifeline in bulk rather than several hundred people dropping off a case of water each.
Servants Unite will organize pickup of these supplies from your location and deliver them to Lifeline if you need assistance with that part of it.
If you wish to work with Lifeline directly, go for it. The contact at the office who will be handling supplies is Dana Krahel, Volunteer Coordinator. They are at 184 Olde County Line Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081. Phone: 614-794-0108.
Here's the plea letter we received this week:
We ARE having a Non Perishable Food Drive in Ohio and one in Indiana and hope to get an entire container of food ready to ship in about 1 month (we already have some food on the way now to Haiti for a stop-gap measure and we’ll buy what we have to buy, Lord willing!):
- Canned and foil packaged meats and meals
- Dried beans, peas
- Rice
- Pastas of all types
- Canned vegetables
- Soups
- Canned meals such as Spaghetti-O’s, etc.
- Bottle Water
- Peanut butter
At this time we are NOT requesting clothing or shoes; only food.
We have put out a plea for funds but are also preparing a flyer to be sent to our churches asking for these items. We will receive them and send them on regular schedule containers too, as long as they keep coming in. We ship at a minimum once a quarter from our warehouse.
Thank you again and pray with us that in all of this loss that people will turn to Christ and know that He is the answer!
God bless you and tell everyone at Westerville “thank you”!
Bob and Gretchen
Ike Ike go away!
Prayer, petitioning for the devolution of Gustav... The storm weekend to a category 2 rather than growing to a category4. Katrina, if you'll remember was roaring into New Orleans as a strong category5, but deteriorated to a category 3 by landfall. Rita had the lowest barometric pressure ever recorded while in the gulf, but deteriorated, against predictions, before making landfall and missed the metropolis of Houston/Galveston, also against predictions.
Ike is the last storm on our scopes of this menacing train of storms this past month. It is projected to make landfall near Houston tomorrow night. The trend in course predictions from the National Weather Service is moving it closer to that highly vulnerable area overnight.
Responding to Houston, like we did New Orleans, is more difficult because of the added distance. Nonetheless, if called, we will go.
Let's do our best to avoid that necessity, though with prayer and petition to our Lord to quiet the storm as he has the others. As bad as they have been, we know this one can be even more devestating to more than 2 million people living there.
John McGuire
Post Gustav Update from Chalmette
Here's an update from Aaron at The Gathering who we've stayed and worked with for several trips during the past year.
greetings,
if anyone emailed over the weeked, we had a small snafu with our website and server, so i may have not received what you sent this way. same with shauna.
anyhow, we received power on friday, sept 5th- most people's refrigerators were a bit of a mess. neighbors across the street lost lots of shingles--enough that the paper and vents were gone, too leaving exposed wood and attic-their drywall ceilings fell into the bedrooms! what a mess.
shauna returned friday evening and our whole team has jumped in:
-patching shingles -tarping roofs -standing fences back up...
..mowing lawn for a national guardsmen who had long hours on duty in new orleans during the evacuation -cooking food and passing it out "down the road" (several people still w/out power on the far east end of our parish sunday and monday)
tomorrow we'll go help remove the floor at dennis' house- he's a good friend who was very close to moving into his house last week (moving in for first time since katrina). we were going to go over and do some touch up painting, but his front door blew in during Gustav and his new flooring is ruined.
from some of these comments notice the heartache that some people might have with some old Katrina emotions returning. our task is clear- serve and love like Jesus, pointing at Him and reminding people over and again that He is hope and love.
thanks for asking about things and for sending the emails our way. a few of you said you'd been meaning to call me anyway- ha, my how disasters bring us together. and for that, see attached picture about how we all find strength to lean on-finding anything and everything to make a fence stand! and the first pic is our group driving back from the retreat.
aaron johnson
the gathering
chalmette, LA
504 610 7779
greetings,
if anyone emailed over the weeked, we had a small snafu with our website and server, so i may have not received what you sent this way. same with shauna.
anyhow, we received power on friday, sept 5th- most people's refrigerators were a bit of a mess. neighbors across the street lost lots of shingles--enough that the paper and vents were gone, too leaving exposed wood and attic-their drywall ceilings fell into the bedrooms! what a mess.
shauna returned friday evening and our whole team has jumped in:
-patching shingles -tarping roofs -standing fences back up...
tomorrow we'll go help remove the floor at dennis' house- he's a good friend who was very close to moving into his house last week (moving in for first time since katrina). we were going to go over and do some touch up painting, but his front door blew in during Gustav and his new flooring is ruined.
from some of these comments notice the heartache that some people might have with some old Katrina emotions returning. our task is clear- serve and love like Jesus, pointing at Him and reminding people over and again that He is hope and love.
thanks for asking about things and for sending the emails our way. a few of you said you'd been meaning to call me anyway- ha, my how disasters bring us together. and for that, see attached picture about how we all find strength to lean on-finding anything and everything to make a fence stand! and the first pic is our group driving back from the retreat.
please pray that our work and daily endeavors keeps advancing the Kingdom rather than our own agenda.
our AC went out in the car- now we have those decisions to make. and next week we plan to begin a Financial Peace group meeting at a local school. hopefully another way of meeting people and helping families. thanks!
aaron johnson
the gathering
chalmette, LA
504 610 7779
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Tuesday night update from Brendan
Well it's about 6:30 pm and were almost out of it here. We are still getting some feeder bands carrying wind and tornadoes. We have had a few close calls near my home but most of them have landed out in pastures. Tomorrow I am venturing out into surrounding areas. Baton Rouge got hit pretty hard with wind damage and there is a big need for chainsaws. So we will see.
For anyone that has tried calling me at my 985 number I had it changed to 225-368-5223. Guy with my old number says I must have alot of friends cause he has gotten many calls. Anyway just letting everyone know we are ok. Thank you for all your prayers.
brendan
For anyone that has tried calling me at my 985 number I had it changed to 225-368-5223. Guy with my old number says I must have alot of friends cause he has gotten many calls. Anyway just letting everyone know we are ok. Thank you for all your prayers.
brendan
The next few weeks...
Tentatively I think we can still plan to send a team down to Louisiana or Mississippi this coming weekend. If you wish to go, please email me or call Melinda at the numbers on the blog. Work will primarily be chain saw work cutting up trees and tarping roofs. Accommodations are not yet secured for more than a few people so the team may need to take a camper or two with them. More details as they are available.
I have not heard of a need for supplies to be shipped down at this time. However, tens of thousands of low income New Orlineans have been shipped to shelters across the country. Churches are hosting them as close as Louisville Kentucky. There may be a need to assist them until they can get back home, depending on some decisions the Red Cross will have to make.
More details on Gustav relief as they are available.
Many more storms are coming. Hanna is aiming at Charleston South Carolina, Tropical storm, soon to be hurricane Ike formed yesterday and is following Hannah, Tropical depression 10 formed overnight out past Ike and is in line following it and Hanna West.
Also, another area of activity between Hannah and Ike as well as a 2nd area of activity North of the train may still develop into storms. We are facing a huge increase in activity that may still require responses to other parts of the country. Keep posted for updates.
I have not heard of a need for supplies to be shipped down at this time. However, tens of thousands of low income New Orlineans have been shipped to shelters across the country. Churches are hosting them as close as Louisville Kentucky. There may be a need to assist them until they can get back home, depending on some decisions the Red Cross will have to make.
More details on Gustav relief as they are available.
Many more storms are coming. Hanna is aiming at Charleston South Carolina, Tropical storm, soon to be hurricane Ike formed yesterday and is following Hannah, Tropical depression 10 formed overnight out past Ike and is in line following it and Hanna West.
Also, another area of activity between Hannah and Ike as well as a 2nd area of activity North of the train may still develop into storms. We are facing a huge increase in activity that may still require responses to other parts of the country. Keep posted for updates.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Brendan's OK and already looking for help
Greensburg where he's at presently was hit hard all day by heavy storm bands. Many tornadoes have been reported throughout the area all day long. Lots and lots of trees are down. They lost power at 10:00, cell service at 11:00, and landline phone service at 1:00 today. It's still storming hard there now. He drove 15 miles up the road to get cell service to check on family and get word out.
The area he reports is most heavily effected by the wind damage and downed trees is in the yellow on this map.
He's working on a place for chainsaw crews to stay and work for next week.
The area he reports is most heavily effected by the wind damage and downed trees is in the yellow on this map.
He's working on a place for chainsaw crews to stay and work for next week.
Monday night update on our friends.
I've heard nothing from anyone in New Orleans. My cell showed a connection to Brendan's phone in Greensburg, LA, but just static on the line. Not sure if he heard me or not. Sent a text. That area has had a lot of tornadoes and strong storm bands all day. I'll put up a new post when I hear from him.
Talked to Daphne German in Bayou La Batre Alabama. The surge was not bad there. There was water and waves over the park we stayed in there last summer, but they could drive through it at noon today. She reports there is not much damage that far east.
Heavy storm bands went through the Mississippi coastal area between there and New Orleans. I expect if we are needed it'll be for chain saw crews to work in that area and north of New Orleans for a few weeks. As of now, just on the back side of the storm it appears that massive amounts of prayer have paid off.
Talked to Daphne German in Bayou La Batre Alabama. The surge was not bad there. There was water and waves over the park we stayed in there last summer, but they could drive through it at noon today. She reports there is not much damage that far east.
Heavy storm bands went through the Mississippi coastal area between there and New Orleans. I expect if we are needed it'll be for chain saw crews to work in that area and north of New Orleans for a few weeks. As of now, just on the back side of the storm it appears that massive amounts of prayer have paid off.
More on the way
After Gustav, there's a train of storms incoming.
Hannah is projected to land on the Georgia North Carolina border Friday as a Category 1 or weak 2. Tropical Storm Ike gained that status today after becoming a tropical depression just this morning. It is heading for the Caribbean islands.
Projections of both Gustav and Hannah are showing they will impact our weather here in Ohio.
Hannah is projected to land on the Georgia North Carolina border Friday as a Category 1 or weak 2. Tropical Storm Ike gained that status today after becoming a tropical depression just this morning. It is heading for the Caribbean islands.Projections of both Gustav and Hannah are showing they will impact our weather here in Ohio.
Gustov Drops to Category 1
Gustov came ashore around 9:00 this morning Central Time. It has now dropped to a Category 1 level as it moves further onshore oblique to New Orleans exposing that area to the heaviest rains and tornado risk. Tornado warnings are up out through Mobile Alabama and up to Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Storm surge is hitting 9' and a little more in peak areas, but the New Orleans Industrial Canal is at the top of the flood walls and waves are being blown over. There is still a good possibility that continued surge and runnoff from the heavy rains up stream can push the water level over the wall and begin to flood areas West of the canal.
A barge and two decomissioned Navy ships have broken loose and are pinned against a bridge, but may damage the flood walls if they break loose.
It isn't yet as bad as expected, but there's still a lot we don't know and it isn't over yet. Please continue prayers. They are working!
Storm surge is hitting 9' and a little more in peak areas, but the New Orleans Industrial Canal is at the top of the flood walls and waves are being blown over. There is still a good possibility that continued surge and runnoff from the heavy rains up stream can push the water level over the wall and begin to flood areas West of the canal.
A barge and two decomissioned Navy ships have broken loose and are pinned against a bridge, but may damage the flood walls if they break loose.
It isn't yet as bad as expected, but there's still a lot we don't know and it isn't over yet. Please continue prayers. They are working!
Gustav Update - Monday Morning
Just woke Brendan Hendrix up checking on him. He says it's picking up pretty good there in Greensburg, LA. Gustav is just off Houma, Louisiana and has degraded to a category 2 storm!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Update from Brendan Hendrix
Friends,
It's around 8 pm now and the outer bands have started hitting where we are. I am located about 25 minutes north of Hammond, La. no way of tellin' what it's gonna do as to the erratic nature of this storm. It is currently a catagory 3 with winds of up to 115 mph. I have been steadily trying to arrange things here for immediately following the storm. For those of you not privy to this the northeast side is usually the worse side of the storm for winds and tornadoes. Thankfully through prayers from you all this storm has lost alot of its power between Cuba and here. Just continue to pray for the storm to dissipate.
I will keep you all updated as best I can.
god bless
brendan
geaux tigers!!!!!!!!!!
It's around 8 pm now and the outer bands have started hitting where we are. I am located about 25 minutes north of Hammond, La. no way of tellin' what it's gonna do as to the erratic nature of this storm. It is currently a catagory 3 with winds of up to 115 mph. I have been steadily trying to arrange things here for immediately following the storm. For those of you not privy to this the northeast side is usually the worse side of the storm for winds and tornadoes. Thankfully through prayers from you all this storm has lost alot of its power between Cuba and here. Just continue to pray for the storm to dissipate.
I will keep you all updated as best I can.
god bless
brendan
geaux tigers!!!!!!!!!!
Oh to be as prepared as Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
Here's their latest email update:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief continues to plan for Hurricane Gustav. For the second time in three years the worst-case-scenario could be in store for the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Southern Baptists, along with our national partners, are planning for and anticipating the worst.
Terry Henderson and an Incident Command Team are en route to Camp Garaywa, located in Clinton, Mississippi. Camp Garaywa is owned and operated by the Woman’s Missionary Union of Mississippi. Also staging at Camp Garaywa will be mobile units that will move to the coast as soon as appropriate assessments take place. A second Incident Command Team is in route to Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana.
Southern Baptist liaisons are located at the National Headquarters for American Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D. C. They will assist in providing close coordination and communication with these agencies. American Red Cross has also provided a liaison to the North American Mission Board’s Disaster Operation Center (DOC) located in Alpharetta, Ga.
Meals are currently being prepared by Southern Baptist Feeding Units at shelters housing evacuees in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and, Texas. Chaplains are serving with the Feeding Units to provide ministry and support for the evacuees and volunteers.
A combined capacity of more than 575,000 meals per day has been activated and has begun moving toward the anticipated impact area. A total of 39 Feeding Units from 23 Baptist state conventions are moving toward the central Gulf Coast and are expected to arrive over the next three days. Each Feeding Unit will be accompanied by chainsaw, communication, and shower units as well as Disaster Relief trained chaplains. A conservative estimate is that more than 4,000 Southern Baptist volunteers will be traveling with these units.
Ministry sites in the Gulf Coast area have been pre-identified by state Baptist convention, American Red Cross and Salvation Army leaders. Once Hurricane Gustav has cleared the area, Disaster Relief leaders will assess the viability of these sites to provide accommodations for units and volunteers after which units will be deployed to begin ministry to persons impacted by the storm.
While the east coast state Baptist conventions are continuing to watch Hurricane Hanna, they are also releasing assets to respond to Gustav’s affected area. State Baptist conventions located in the Northern, upper Midwestern and northwestern United States are expected to be in the second phase of deployment. Following Hurricane Gustav’s landfall and assessments provide by Southern Baptist leaders and our partners decision will be made about future deployments.
NAMB’s DOC has moved to a Level IV, the highest activation. NAMB staff and volunteers will be manning phones and entering data to support the affected and responding state convention units. Tomorrow’s hours of operation for the DOC will be 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Day Light Savings Time.
Florida Baptist Convention continues to respond to needs caused by Hurricane Fay. The response have move to local area churches and associations ministering in their area with Florida Baptist Convention’s leadership closing their command centers.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief continues to plan for Hurricane Gustav. For the second time in three years the worst-case-scenario could be in store for the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Southern Baptists, along with our national partners, are planning for and anticipating the worst.
Terry Henderson and an Incident Command Team are en route to Camp Garaywa, located in Clinton, Mississippi. Camp Garaywa is owned and operated by the Woman’s Missionary Union of Mississippi. Also staging at Camp Garaywa will be mobile units that will move to the coast as soon as appropriate assessments take place. A second Incident Command Team is in route to Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana.
Southern Baptist liaisons are located at the National Headquarters for American Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D. C. They will assist in providing close coordination and communication with these agencies. American Red Cross has also provided a liaison to the North American Mission Board’s Disaster Operation Center (DOC) located in Alpharetta, Ga.
Meals are currently being prepared by Southern Baptist Feeding Units at shelters housing evacuees in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and, Texas. Chaplains are serving with the Feeding Units to provide ministry and support for the evacuees and volunteers.
A combined capacity of more than 575,000 meals per day has been activated and has begun moving toward the anticipated impact area. A total of 39 Feeding Units from 23 Baptist state conventions are moving toward the central Gulf Coast and are expected to arrive over the next three days. Each Feeding Unit will be accompanied by chainsaw, communication, and shower units as well as Disaster Relief trained chaplains. A conservative estimate is that more than 4,000 Southern Baptist volunteers will be traveling with these units.
Ministry sites in the Gulf Coast area have been pre-identified by state Baptist convention, American Red Cross and Salvation Army leaders. Once Hurricane Gustav has cleared the area, Disaster Relief leaders will assess the viability of these sites to provide accommodations for units and volunteers after which units will be deployed to begin ministry to persons impacted by the storm.
While the east coast state Baptist conventions are continuing to watch Hurricane Hanna, they are also releasing assets to respond to Gustav’s affected area. State Baptist conventions located in the Northern, upper Midwestern and northwestern United States are expected to be in the second phase of deployment. Following Hurricane Gustav’s landfall and assessments provide by Southern Baptist leaders and our partners decision will be made about future deployments.
NAMB’s DOC has moved to a Level IV, the highest activation. NAMB staff and volunteers will be manning phones and entering data to support the affected and responding state convention units. Tomorrow’s hours of operation for the DOC will be 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Day Light Savings Time.
Florida Baptist Convention continues to respond to needs caused by Hurricane Fay. The response have move to local area churches and associations ministering in their area with Florida Baptist Convention’s leadership closing their command centers.
The only power we have right now is prayer
Tonight at Westerville Christian Church at 6:00, Greg Bondurant, has planned a prayer time to ask God's mercy to dissipate hurricane Gustov and protect the gulf coast from the massive destruction we saw after Katrina. Against the models, the storm has been weakening and projections are on their way down. To me, knowing the prayers that are being asked of our Lord, that is an answer. There's nothing else we can do right now. We cannot stop a hurricane with our own efforts. We can only ask the creator of the heavens and the earth to cover those in harms way with his grace and mercy.
Please join us tonight at 471 College Avenue in Westerville, organize your own church or group to pray for the continued weakening of Gustov, or join us from where you are at 6:00 eastern time tonight to ask God to block and disperse this storm to His glory.
Please join us tonight at 471 College Avenue in Westerville, organize your own church or group to pray for the continued weakening of Gustov, or join us from where you are at 6:00 eastern time tonight to ask God to block and disperse this storm to His glory.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Mandatory Evacuation Ordered for New Orleans
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday but urged residents to flee now. "You need to be scared," Nagin said as Hurricane Gustav roared into the Gulf of Mexico with 150 mph sustained winds. "And you need to get your butts moving out of New Orleans right now."
Gustov has passed Cuba, is at category 4, and is forecast to top out at 155 MPH winds tomorrow. Category5 the top of the Safir Simpson scale is >155 MPH winds. This is a Katrina like storm ironically landing near the same place as Katrina.
Gustov has passed Cuba, is at category 4, and is forecast to top out at 155 MPH winds tomorrow. Category5 the top of the Safir Simpson scale is >155 MPH winds. This is a Katrina like storm ironically landing near the same place as Katrina.
Increase Predicted in Gustov's Strength
Gustov is now predicted to brush Category 5 status before coming ashore in Louisiana. Keep those prayers coming!
St. Barnard Project Team Update
Thanks for the note and your concern. We have been busily preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. We spent the past two days removing tools from our clients' homes, taking yard debris to the dump, and making sure that materials are away from the windows. In the office we moved everything of value upstairs. We've got a great staff and they were cranking it out for the past two days.
We are about to head north either to Atlanta or closer if we can find a hotel room. We've secured our home, packed up our stuff and sedated the cats.
Please thank everyone for their concern and let then know that we're doing ok. We'll be in touch and let you know when we have nore info.
Take care,
Liz
We are about to head north either to Atlanta or closer if we can find a hotel room. We've secured our home, packed up our stuff and sedated the cats.
Please thank everyone for their concern and let then know that we're doing ok. We'll be in touch and let you know when we have nore info.
Take care,
Liz
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Letter from The Gathering church plant in Chalmette
Hello friends,
Thanks for your calls, emails, and texts today- I’ve heard from people in multiple states and we are encouraged by this.
I meant to write earlier in the week to share a moment with you all- a pause moment, I guess you could call it. Sunday evening at the Gathering, there were 3 guys visiting. One of them, age 50, had been once before. So matt is teaching out of Matthew and asks us to look at a verse in the book of Malachi. Every time we jumped to a new scripture he leaned over to look at which way I was flipping in my Bible, asking "what page are we on?" "Where’s that book" etc.
I just write to share the "pause" in this story. It wasn't an earth shattering moment, I didn’t break down in tears, but I paused at what God was showing me. I don’t want to take the Holy Scriptures for granted. I want to crave and desire the message and voice that God uses His Word for. And I want to "pause" more often so that I see what God is doing around us, like bringing a rough guy, 50 years old, to look at Jesus healing people in the Gospels. I thank Him and praise Him for slowing me down in that moment.
That guy came and painted with me all day Monday- he doesn’t have a job right now, but the relationship continues. Thanks for "pausing" to read this- I hope your days are stopped periodically so you can hear and see the Holy Spirit at work. Forgive me, God for skipping those moments all too often.
Regarding the impending storm, our team had planned to get away on a retreat this weekend. In fact, Mrs. Johnson came down to watch Everly at our house. So--we have accommodations reserved about 3 hours northwest of Chalmette, a bit past Baton Rouge.
What are we doing? We are praying. We are asking God to dissipate this storm and keep everyone from harm.
We are watching and gathering info- I feel like such a rookie here! I asked several neighbors what they were doing and we are obviously paying attention to the news, etc.
What are we not doing? We, as the Gathering team will not stay to weather the storm. We have not overstocked our cabinets, etc and etc. People were at Home Depot and the grocery buying, well, you can imagine. But rightfully so- we try to put ourselves in their shoes- I have to respect their experience and the grief they have-- is it ironic that tomorrow is the 3 yr anniversary of Katrina?? We are headed to a memorial breakfast in our community and then heading to the retreat facility.
So I hope I’ve answered your questions- Shauna and I put our patio stuff in our garage this afternoon. We’re trying to be wise and good stewards. We are getting together at 8pm central time tonight to discuss as a team and pray. I’ve heard folks in Indy will be joining us, which is 9 eastern. I will try to email any updates tonight or tomorrow.
Thanks, again, for asking and thinking of us. In all things, whether rebuilding homes, hosting Bible studies, or driving in heavy traffic out of here, may God be praised and receive any and all glory from our lives. Amen.
Aaron Johnson
The Gathering
Chalmette, LA
504 610 7779
Thanks for your calls, emails, and texts today- I’ve heard from people in multiple states and we are encouraged by this.
I meant to write earlier in the week to share a moment with you all- a pause moment, I guess you could call it. Sunday evening at the Gathering, there were 3 guys visiting. One of them, age 50, had been once before. So matt is teaching out of Matthew and asks us to look at a verse in the book of Malachi. Every time we jumped to a new scripture he leaned over to look at which way I was flipping in my Bible, asking "what page are we on?" "Where’s that book" etc.
I just write to share the "pause" in this story. It wasn't an earth shattering moment, I didn’t break down in tears, but I paused at what God was showing me. I don’t want to take the Holy Scriptures for granted. I want to crave and desire the message and voice that God uses His Word for. And I want to "pause" more often so that I see what God is doing around us, like bringing a rough guy, 50 years old, to look at Jesus healing people in the Gospels. I thank Him and praise Him for slowing me down in that moment.
That guy came and painted with me all day Monday- he doesn’t have a job right now, but the relationship continues. Thanks for "pausing" to read this- I hope your days are stopped periodically so you can hear and see the Holy Spirit at work. Forgive me, God for skipping those moments all too often.
Regarding the impending storm, our team had planned to get away on a retreat this weekend. In fact, Mrs. Johnson came down to watch Everly at our house. So--we have accommodations reserved about 3 hours northwest of Chalmette, a bit past Baton Rouge.
What are we doing? We are praying. We are asking God to dissipate this storm and keep everyone from harm.
We are watching and gathering info- I feel like such a rookie here! I asked several neighbors what they were doing and we are obviously paying attention to the news, etc.
What are we not doing? We, as the Gathering team will not stay to weather the storm. We have not overstocked our cabinets, etc and etc. People were at Home Depot and the grocery buying, well, you can imagine. But rightfully so- we try to put ourselves in their shoes- I have to respect their experience and the grief they have-- is it ironic that tomorrow is the 3 yr anniversary of Katrina?? We are headed to a memorial breakfast in our community and then heading to the retreat facility.
So I hope I’ve answered your questions- Shauna and I put our patio stuff in our garage this afternoon. We’re trying to be wise and good stewards. We are getting together at 8pm central time tonight to discuss as a team and pray. I’ve heard folks in Indy will be joining us, which is 9 eastern. I will try to email any updates tonight or tomorrow.
Thanks, again, for asking and thinking of us. In all things, whether rebuilding homes, hosting Bible studies, or driving in heavy traffic out of here, may God be praised and receive any and all glory from our lives. Amen.
Aaron Johnson
The Gathering
Chalmette, LA
504 610 7779
From Daphne German
We worked with Daphne in Bayou LaBatre last spring and summer. That small town is still recovering from the last several hurricanes and doesn't have room for this one.
"Remember us as the path looks the same and you know had bad we were hit. God bless
Daphne"
"Remember us as the path looks the same and you know had bad we were hit. God bless
Daphne"
Letter from Brendan Hendrix
OK my friends here we are at the 3 year anniversary of Katrina and it looks like she may have a brother heading our way. I am just asking that you all keep us in prayer. the New Orleans area really can't take another hit from a storm like that yet. I am presently located 45 minutes northwest of Mandeville/Slidell area where i would like to think I am in a safe area.
For those of you that know me yes I am making calls to see what kind of help will be set up in case of landfall. You know I cant get away from it! I will be communicating with john mcguire of Servants Unite. In the event we lose power or I get too busy, you can check out his web site for updates.
Thank you all for your help in the past and prayers now!
Brendan
For those of you that know me yes I am making calls to see what kind of help will be set up in case of landfall. You know I cant get away from it! I will be communicating with john mcguire of Servants Unite. In the event we lose power or I get too busy, you can check out his web site for updates.
Thank you all for your help in the past and prayers now!
Brendan
Letter from Joy Fellowship
I'm receiving pre-emptive requests for prayer and assistance if it turns out to be needed today. Also notes on here's what we are doing to prepare for the storm. I'll share them here as they come in.
Servants Unite Team 7 worked with Joy Fellowhip in January 2006. You can find blog entries here.
Joy Fellowship Church
1510 Lindberg Dr. Slidell, LA
985-781-9777
My Dear Friend,
It is hard to believe that it has been three years since Hurricane Katrina made its destructive way through Southeast Louisiana. And through all of the bad things that that storm brought, Leslie and I never cease to thank God for all of the wonderful friends such as yourself that the Lord brought our way as a result of the relief work that God himself anointed our little church to embark upon. We still minister to hundreds every week both here and at our church in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
Now we find ourselves in the position of coming to you again to be ready to help. As Hurricane Gustav churns in the Caribbean Sea, the Latest computer models as of this morning (8/28/08) shows this storm with a good probability of making landfall somewhere along the Southeastern Louisiana coastline as a category three at a minimum. Like California has its earthquakes, and Asia has its tsunamis, our Achilles heel is tropical storms. While we are wearing out the knees of our trousers praying that this thing will go somewhere harmless and die, we must also be ready to do what God called us to do; be a responder who carries the hope of God.
I have already been in touch with several international disaster organizations including the Salvation Army who have promised us their full support, but we also need you, the local church. Please begin to pray with us that we will have the finances and physical support to help those who cannot help themselves.
An immediate need that we will be having is that we have already been notified that a mandatory evacuation will be ordered for our area, thus forcing us to cancel our services for Sunday. Our church will have no income to operate for possibly a week or better. Couple that with the additional expense of evacuation that those in our body will incur and you can see that our church will be in a fix financially, right out the chutes. I am writing you now because should this system come close to us, our communications will be knocked out. If that happens, just assume we need help and organize teams. Please pray and seek the Lord for whatever you can do to assist us in this time. We will be thankful for whatever you can offer us.
Blessings be yours,
Pastor Larry Roques
Senior Pastor
Joy Fellowship church
Slidell/New Orleans
Senior Pastor Larry Roques: 985-768-8134
Youth Pastor Joe Badon: 504-287-5731
www.joyfellowshipchurch.com
Servants Unite Team 7 worked with Joy Fellowhip in January 2006. You can find blog entries here.
Joy Fellowship Church
1510 Lindberg Dr. Slidell, LA
985-781-9777
My Dear Friend,
It is hard to believe that it has been three years since Hurricane Katrina made its destructive way through Southeast Louisiana. And through all of the bad things that that storm brought, Leslie and I never cease to thank God for all of the wonderful friends such as yourself that the Lord brought our way as a result of the relief work that God himself anointed our little church to embark upon. We still minister to hundreds every week both here and at our church in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
Now we find ourselves in the position of coming to you again to be ready to help. As Hurricane Gustav churns in the Caribbean Sea, the Latest computer models as of this morning (8/28/08) shows this storm with a good probability of making landfall somewhere along the Southeastern Louisiana coastline as a category three at a minimum. Like California has its earthquakes, and Asia has its tsunamis, our Achilles heel is tropical storms. While we are wearing out the knees of our trousers praying that this thing will go somewhere harmless and die, we must also be ready to do what God called us to do; be a responder who carries the hope of God.
I have already been in touch with several international disaster organizations including the Salvation Army who have promised us their full support, but we also need you, the local church. Please begin to pray with us that we will have the finances and physical support to help those who cannot help themselves.
An immediate need that we will be having is that we have already been notified that a mandatory evacuation will be ordered for our area, thus forcing us to cancel our services for Sunday. Our church will have no income to operate for possibly a week or better. Couple that with the additional expense of evacuation that those in our body will incur and you can see that our church will be in a fix financially, right out the chutes. I am writing you now because should this system come close to us, our communications will be knocked out. If that happens, just assume we need help and organize teams. Please pray and seek the Lord for whatever you can do to assist us in this time. We will be thankful for whatever you can offer us.
Blessings be yours,
Pastor Larry Roques
Senior Pastor
Joy Fellowship church
Slidell/New Orleans
Senior Pastor Larry Roques: 985-768-8134
Youth Pastor Joe Badon: 504-287-5731
www.joyfellowshipchurch.com
And now there are two
An area of development yesterday became tropical depression 8 overnight and is now tropical storm Hanna
It is forecast to remain a category 1 hurricane traveling east of Florida and into South Carolina over the next week.
Pray hard and often and remember the scout motto, "be prepared"! It might be a busy few weeks for us.
It is forecast to remain a category 1 hurricane traveling east of Florida and into South Carolina over the next week.
Pray hard and often and remember the scout motto, "be prepared"! It might be a busy few weeks for us.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Trouble Brewing
I've been holding off for a week on an update waiting to see what happens. First it was TS Fay which dumped tons of rain on most of Florida.
There hasn't been a relief effort set up in Florida that I've found needing out of state volunteers so I've been waiting to see what turns up.
I'm sure you are following along as it made the main stream news today, but in case you missed it, this thing is not going where we would hope.
You can track progress with me at the National Hurricane Center site. Gustav is expected by the majority of computer models to hit New Orleans as a major hurricane Monday night; just past the three year anniversary of Katrina on Friday. The gulf is hot and winds are light leading the the expected development after the storm passes Cuba.
Our first job here is prayers for our new friends we've been helping in New Orleans and along the gulf coast. We want to be fervently asking God to block this storm's progress and development and spare the severe suffering Katrina caused happening again. Please post a comment to this post if you've done so to let them know we are.
Our second job is to get prepared. Immediate storm relief will involve collecting the right stuff packed the right way and shipped cooperatively and efficiently into a receiving organization who can distribute it out of the truck. This will require churches and volunteers to act as central collection facilities and a couple people who are good at managing logistics to organize the shipping. Please email me immediately if you can fill this role. If collection is required I will publish inventory requests for food, personal care, baby care, and cleaning kits.
Our parallel task is to start making plans for volunteers to perform immediate relief. Services will be chainsaw, distribution of supplies, counseling, first aid, and flood cleanup. This will require volunteer team leads, vehicles, tools, and potentially camping gear.
Both stuff and people will cost $$$$$ to get where they are going. Please discuss with your church leaders the possibility of a special collection or one time missions gift to Servants Unite to cover these expenses so they will not be required of the volunteers and donors of supplies. Do that this Sunday if not before so we are as prepared as we can be.
Communications contacts for any effort like this will begin with John McGuire (614-404-8610) and Melinda McGuire (614-523-3996). As others end up managing portions of the operation their contact information will be distributed here and on a special web page for the new effort.
Since Katrina three years ago, we've provided 2500 man weeks of labor in Louisiana, Alabama, Ohio, and Iowa. 400 of those were in the first 4 trips to Mandeville. All of you have had an awesome heart to serve.
We may be called in the next few days to rise up again and put our hard earned experience to use making a new effort even more effective and glorifying our Lord even more than we have. Please be in prayer for what your role will be when that time comes.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
There hasn't been a relief effort set up in Florida that I've found needing out of state volunteers so I've been waiting to see what turns up.
I'm sure you are following along as it made the main stream news today, but in case you missed it, this thing is not going where we would hope.
You can track progress with me at the National Hurricane Center site. Gustav is expected by the majority of computer models to hit New Orleans as a major hurricane Monday night; just past the three year anniversary of Katrina on Friday. The gulf is hot and winds are light leading the the expected development after the storm passes Cuba.
Our first job here is prayers for our new friends we've been helping in New Orleans and along the gulf coast. We want to be fervently asking God to block this storm's progress and development and spare the severe suffering Katrina caused happening again. Please post a comment to this post if you've done so to let them know we are.
Our second job is to get prepared. Immediate storm relief will involve collecting the right stuff packed the right way and shipped cooperatively and efficiently into a receiving organization who can distribute it out of the truck. This will require churches and volunteers to act as central collection facilities and a couple people who are good at managing logistics to organize the shipping. Please email me immediately if you can fill this role. If collection is required I will publish inventory requests for food, personal care, baby care, and cleaning kits.
Our parallel task is to start making plans for volunteers to perform immediate relief. Services will be chainsaw, distribution of supplies, counseling, first aid, and flood cleanup. This will require volunteer team leads, vehicles, tools, and potentially camping gear.
Both stuff and people will cost $$$$$ to get where they are going. Please discuss with your church leaders the possibility of a special collection or one time missions gift to Servants Unite to cover these expenses so they will not be required of the volunteers and donors of supplies. Do that this Sunday if not before so we are as prepared as we can be.
Communications contacts for any effort like this will begin with John McGuire (614-404-8610) and Melinda McGuire (614-523-3996). As others end up managing portions of the operation their contact information will be distributed here and on a special web page for the new effort.
Since Katrina three years ago, we've provided 2500 man weeks of labor in Louisiana, Alabama, Ohio, and Iowa. 400 of those were in the first 4 trips to Mandeville. All of you have had an awesome heart to serve.
We may be called in the next few days to rise up again and put our hard earned experience to use making a new effort even more effective and glorifying our Lord even more than we have. Please be in prayer for what your role will be when that time comes.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Team Iowa 1 More Pictures
Team Iowa 1 was working in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids today, one block away from where Barak Obama was speaking. No luck getting to meet the candidate though. These pics are from yesterday's work.
Team Iowa 2 Report
The South Dayton team was little but mighty ! The 4 of us range in age from 15 to 62. As the senior member of the team, I cannot express in words how proud I am of these 3 young people. They have a heart for Jesus and hands and feet for His work.
As you know, once you go on your first mission trip you are "hooked" forever. Being able to lighten the load of people in so much need pulls you closer to each other as a team and closer to our Father.
We worked de-mucking and cleaning up flood leftovers. Also pulled down a couple sheds. We saw lots of frogs, toads, bugs, but no live snakes this time !
Gary and Mark were great to work with and Joe is the best cook ever ! Our team is looking forward to working with them again in the future.
Iowa needs our prayers, but mostly our hands and feet. There is so much work to be done. God wants us to be servants and when we unite we are an army working together for His glory.
Thanks so much for coordinating our trip. God bless you and your family.
Sharon Oakes -Stephanie Brooks - Bryan Rebar - Matt Stephens
The SON is shining !
As you know, once you go on your first mission trip you are "hooked" forever. Being able to lighten the load of people in so much need pulls you closer to each other as a team and closer to our Father.
We worked de-mucking and cleaning up flood leftovers. Also pulled down a couple sheds. We saw lots of frogs, toads, bugs, but no live snakes this time !
Gary and Mark were great to work with and Joe is the best cook ever ! Our team is looking forward to working with them again in the future.
Iowa needs our prayers, but mostly our hands and feet. There is so much work to be done. God wants us to be servants and when we unite we are an army working together for His glory.
Thanks so much for coordinating our trip. God bless you and your family.
Sharon Oakes -Stephanie Brooks - Bryan Rebar - Matt Stephens
The SON is shining !
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Iowa Team 1 Pics
Adam loaded some pictures to the "Servants Unite, Iowa Team 1" Facebook group. You can join the group as well to see the pics teammembers bring back. For those not on facebook, here are the pics:
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Team Iowa 2, The Strangest Team Picture Ever
Here they are!
Team Iowa 2 from South Dayton Church of Christ. Proof that unlike Vegas, what happens in Iowa does not stay in Iowa, this came through a couple different sources. As did these:
It seems volunteers are always standing around resting when pics are taken, but that just means they are working too hard between breaks to bother taking pictures :-) Still waiting to hear their stories, but will share here when I get them.
Team Iowa 2 from South Dayton Church of Christ. Proof that unlike Vegas, what happens in Iowa does not stay in Iowa, this came through a couple different sources. As did these:
It seems volunteers are always standing around resting when pics are taken, but that just means they are working too hard between breaks to bother taking pictures :-) Still waiting to hear their stories, but will share here when I get them.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Team Iowa 1 Is Onsite and Working Hard
Here's a picture of all but three of the team members who left Alum Creek Church of Christ at 10:20 Sunday. The other three left Worthington Christian at 1:20.
Preflight prayers protected the volunteers in one 15 passenger rental that blew a tire. After an hour delay to put on the spare and add air to it they were off and running again. Today they've been working in two homes next door to one another, mudding out the debris from the flood and prepping them for dryout and rebuild.
I hope to have you more stories tonight after they are done working and hope to get some pictures back from them as well.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Burlington Iowa Activities
Mark Robbins, from the Bayou La Batre effort, has been working with Hilltop out of Burlington Iowa. Currently most of their work has been in the town of Pontoosuc. Team Iowa 2 from South Dayton Church of Christ is working there through this weekend. Mark has been keeping up a blog on his site www.godssoldiersunited.com. Check it out if you get time.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Who we are working with in Iowa
I wanted to share something about the church and people our team is working with in Cedar Rapids this coming week. Brent Schulte, who volunteered his church to host Team Iowa 1 this coming week is the discipleship minister at Antioch Christian where they are staying this week. I found his article in their July newsletter online and thought sharing it here was the best way to do that.
Team Iowa 2 from South Dayton Church of Christ has been busy near Burlington, Iowa this week. I hope to have updates for you on their work soon.
Here's Brent's article:
These last 3 weeks have been a blur to me as I'm sure they have been to you as well. One month ago, Renee and I spent a week in southern Florida visiting my sister and her family and enjoying the warmth after a cold, snowy winter. While we were in Florida, we watched national news cover the tornadoes that ripped through Parkersburg and other towns in Iowa. As June started and the rains continued, I'm sure many of you were recollecting the flood of 1993 and the devastation it brought to the area. I was serving in the Air Force then and watched the Armed Services Network with shock and awe from my trailer in Saudi Arabia. You just don't get the full affect until you see it firsthand.
Reflecting on what has transpired over the last couple of weeks, here are a few memories that stand out. Before the waters rose to record levels, many volunteers from churches across the city poured into the neighborhoods to warn residents of possible evacuation and offer assistance in moving their personal belongings. Some took the offers but many did not. I saw many residents in the Time Check area, only a few blocks from the river, watching the commotion from their lawn chairs. I asked one gentleman why he wasn't preparing for the flood. He stated, "I've lived here all my life and we only had 3 feet of water in the basement in '93. I don't believe the warnings." Unbelief.
In the days leading up to the river crest, I felt a sense of urgency. Everything I saw and heard led me to believe we were in for real disaster. The river crest predictions were rising by a foot or more every day; the rains continued to fall here and north of us. The outlook did not look good. People spent many hours in the Time Check & Czech Village neighborhoods handing out fliers on what to do if you were evacuated and what to bring with you. Sandbags were filled and dikes constructed to hold back the waters. Droves of volunteers poured into the area to help the people save their house or its belongings from the approaching doom. Urgency.
Wednesday night, June 11, I had just got home at 10 pm and was eager to hear the latest news on the flood. KCRG announced that the last well and pump for the city was at risk and that 6,000 sandbags needed to be filled and placed in order to protect it. Only 10 people were on hand and they needed additional volunteers.
The time was 10:05. I only live a few blocks from the Edgewood bridge where the pump stations sits (and I really enjoy a hot shower) so I got my shovel and gloves and headed for Edgewood. When I arrived, I found that I was not the only one to answer the call. There were cars everywhere. It was somewhat surreal as this army of people with shovels over their shoulders streamed down the closed road towards the heaping mounds of sand dumped on the road. An assembly line was quickly in place where the bag was filled, tied off, handed to a person in line who passed in to the next person and so for hundreds of feet to the pump station. There were 6 lines from the sand pile to the pump station with the last hundred feet or so in knee deep water. It was an amazing sight. Unity.
From these experiences and many more, I came away with a deeper appreciation for Antioch's mission statement of "Leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ." The definition for unbelief is the unwillingness to accept what is offered as true or skepticism especially in matters of religious faith. We must be willing to offer 'truth and love' to our neighbor where it really matters, their personal relationship with God. In Psalm 40 we read. "1 do not hide your righteousness in my heart; 1speak ofyour faithfulness and salvation. 1 do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly."
The flood and its aftermath is a perfect illustration on how the material items of this world are temporary. God is eternal; Christ's place at the throne is eternal. If we personally accept Christ's offer of grace, we know we have a position in Heaven waiting for us. I know I have friends and family who are not believers in Christ. I know where they will end up if they do not place their faith in Christ. Why don't I have the same sense of urgency for them as I did last week trying to protect someone's home and their belongings?
Isn't their salvation a greater treasure?
The sense of unity within this community has been quite amazing. Hopefully that unity will continue in the months and years to come as tough decisions are made on how to move the city forward. But I have the inkling that the thorns will start to show as people start worrying more about themselves than what is best for all. Imagine the power Christ's church has when its believers are united and act as one. In John chapter 17, Jesus offers a prayer to God for all believers so " ... they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
So as we continue to recover from this disaster that will take years, remember that we can't just focus on meeting someone's physical needs; we must also address their spiritual health. We are first commanded to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." And secondly, "Love your neighbor as yourself." By loving and honoring our God first and foremost, then we can truly love our neighbor.">
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God bless you all.
Team Iowa 2 from South Dayton Church of Christ has been busy near Burlington, Iowa this week. I hope to have updates for you on their work soon.
Here's Brent's article:
These last 3 weeks have been a blur to me as I'm sure they have been to you as well. One month ago, Renee and I spent a week in southern Florida visiting my sister and her family and enjoying the warmth after a cold, snowy winter. While we were in Florida, we watched national news cover the tornadoes that ripped through Parkersburg and other towns in Iowa. As June started and the rains continued, I'm sure many of you were recollecting the flood of 1993 and the devastation it brought to the area. I was serving in the Air Force then and watched the Armed Services Network with shock and awe from my trailer in Saudi Arabia. You just don't get the full affect until you see it firsthand.
Reflecting on what has transpired over the last couple of weeks, here are a few memories that stand out. Before the waters rose to record levels, many volunteers from churches across the city poured into the neighborhoods to warn residents of possible evacuation and offer assistance in moving their personal belongings. Some took the offers but many did not. I saw many residents in the Time Check area, only a few blocks from the river, watching the commotion from their lawn chairs. I asked one gentleman why he wasn't preparing for the flood. He stated, "I've lived here all my life and we only had 3 feet of water in the basement in '93. I don't believe the warnings." Unbelief.
In the days leading up to the river crest, I felt a sense of urgency. Everything I saw and heard led me to believe we were in for real disaster. The river crest predictions were rising by a foot or more every day; the rains continued to fall here and north of us. The outlook did not look good. People spent many hours in the Time Check & Czech Village neighborhoods handing out fliers on what to do if you were evacuated and what to bring with you. Sandbags were filled and dikes constructed to hold back the waters. Droves of volunteers poured into the area to help the people save their house or its belongings from the approaching doom. Urgency.
Wednesday night, June 11, I had just got home at 10 pm and was eager to hear the latest news on the flood. KCRG announced that the last well and pump for the city was at risk and that 6,000 sandbags needed to be filled and placed in order to protect it. Only 10 people were on hand and they needed additional volunteers.
The time was 10:05. I only live a few blocks from the Edgewood bridge where the pump stations sits (and I really enjoy a hot shower) so I got my shovel and gloves and headed for Edgewood. When I arrived, I found that I was not the only one to answer the call. There were cars everywhere. It was somewhat surreal as this army of people with shovels over their shoulders streamed down the closed road towards the heaping mounds of sand dumped on the road. An assembly line was quickly in place where the bag was filled, tied off, handed to a person in line who passed in to the next person and so for hundreds of feet to the pump station. There were 6 lines from the sand pile to the pump station with the last hundred feet or so in knee deep water. It was an amazing sight. Unity.
From these experiences and many more, I came away with a deeper appreciation for Antioch's mission statement of "Leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ." The definition for unbelief is the unwillingness to accept what is offered as true or skepticism especially in matters of religious faith. We must be willing to offer 'truth and love' to our neighbor where it really matters, their personal relationship with God. In Psalm 40 we read. "1 do not hide your righteousness in my heart; 1speak ofyour faithfulness and salvation. 1 do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly."
The flood and its aftermath is a perfect illustration on how the material items of this world are temporary. God is eternal; Christ's place at the throne is eternal. If we personally accept Christ's offer of grace, we know we have a position in Heaven waiting for us. I know I have friends and family who are not believers in Christ. I know where they will end up if they do not place their faith in Christ. Why don't I have the same sense of urgency for them as I did last week trying to protect someone's home and their belongings?
Isn't their salvation a greater treasure?
The sense of unity within this community has been quite amazing. Hopefully that unity will continue in the months and years to come as tough decisions are made on how to move the city forward. But I have the inkling that the thorns will start to show as people start worrying more about themselves than what is best for all. Imagine the power Christ's church has when its believers are united and act as one. In John chapter 17, Jesus offers a prayer to God for all believers so " ... they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
So as we continue to recover from this disaster that will take years, remember that we can't just focus on meeting someone's physical needs; we must also address their spiritual health. We are first commanded to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." And secondly, "Love your neighbor as yourself." By loving and honoring our God first and foremost, then we can truly love our neighbor.">
" border="0" alt="" />God bless you all.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Iowa Team 2
I feel terrible that I missed 4 volunteers on the last list. The following South Dayton Church of Christ members will be leaving Thursday for Burlington, Iowa to work with Hilltop Rescue through the weekend. They'll be heading back home Monday morning.
Please also be praying for the suddenly active hurricane season. Dolly is strengthening rapidly as it approaches the Texas coast and other likely storms are marching across the Atlantic. Please be praying we are not needed in any capacity like after Katrina, but that if we are, that we will be His hands and feet.
If you'd still like to be hands and feet, I have had many casual comments about people who may be interested in another trip to Iowa later in August. If you would like to take a trip out to serve at that time, please email me with your intentions and a proposed date.
Servants Unite!!
John McGuire
Bryan RebarPlease add them to your prayer list for this week and check the blog for updates from both teams.
Matt Stevens
Stephanie Brooks
Sharon Oaks
Please also be praying for the suddenly active hurricane season. Dolly is strengthening rapidly as it approaches the Texas coast and other likely storms are marching across the Atlantic. Please be praying we are not needed in any capacity like after Katrina, but that if we are, that we will be His hands and feet.
If you'd still like to be hands and feet, I have had many casual comments about people who may be interested in another trip to Iowa later in August. If you would like to take a trip out to serve at that time, please email me with your intentions and a proposed date.
Servants Unite!!
John McGuire
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Iowa Team 1 Readies for Departure
This time next week 30 central Ohio volunteers should be in Iowa on the ground. Most of them, from at least 4 different churches and 2 different schools, have volunteered with Servants Unite before. Please add the following committed and tentative volunteers to your church and personal prayer lists the next two weeks.
We have had several generous donations towards this effort, but could use a couple more to cover food and fuel for the team as well as any tools they may need to purchase in the field. You can donate using our paypal link on the web site, or mail a check to Servants Unite, CO John McGuire, 5511 Copenhagen Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43081.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Adam MetzWe're kind of at a limit given the vehicles we have available. If you would still like to go, we can squeeze in an adult willing to drive.
Chris Cole
Samantha Gray
Paige Whitley
Rachel Gray
Logan Whitley
Emily Gray
Brejohnna Shaw
Caleb Orrechio
Matt Brooker
Julia Brooker
Bob Barnes
Janna Dagley
Ryan Yoder
Matt Yoder
Troy Jeffery
Erin Gursky
Kurt Dipaolo
Seth French
Alanna Spalsbury
Bethany
Cate Daily
Melinda McGuire
Cameron Williams
Eva Opitz
Paul Lewis
Brian Sherman
Pat Hazlet
Bradley Kirkbride
We have had several generous donations towards this effort, but could use a couple more to cover food and fuel for the team as well as any tools they may need to purchase in the field. You can donate using our paypal link on the web site, or mail a check to Servants Unite, CO John McGuire, 5511 Copenhagen Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43081.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Friday, July 04, 2008
Survey Pictures from Iowa
I was able to make arrangements this week at the NACC conference with Antioch Christian Church in Cedar Rapids to host our July 27 team. We currently have a dozen people committed to go and another 6-10 maybes. We will be augmenting the work the congregation has already been doing in their community to help their neighbors recover from the historic flooding all along the region's rivers. To join this team, please email me or call Melinda McGuire at 614-523-3996, our home phone.
Hilltop Rescue will be setting up camp a couple hours downstream in Burlington, Iowa. Mark Robbins who we know from working in Bayou LaBatre is in that area now. While Burlington had little flooding, many smaller towns near by, both in Iowa and across the river in Illinois have been flooded. Some are still inaccessible. They have found this to be a good central point with a partner church active already in the relief effort.
This is a slow motion, moving disaster. As the wave has flowed downstream, more areas have flooded and continue to flood. Volunteers will be needed over the coming months to work along behind the damage to clean out houses and affect repairs as far as the damage eventually goes.
National media has already dropped this story for the most part. Mark sent out pictures this morning, however, from the area where he has been surveying this week and I'm including them in this blog entry for your information.
More to come as this effort continues.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Hilltop Rescue will be setting up camp a couple hours downstream in Burlington, Iowa. Mark Robbins who we know from working in Bayou LaBatre is in that area now. While Burlington had little flooding, many smaller towns near by, both in Iowa and across the river in Illinois have been flooded. Some are still inaccessible. They have found this to be a good central point with a partner church active already in the relief effort.
This is a slow motion, moving disaster. As the wave has flowed downstream, more areas have flooded and continue to flood. Volunteers will be needed over the coming months to work along behind the damage to clean out houses and affect repairs as far as the damage eventually goes.
National media has already dropped this story for the most part. Mark sent out pictures this morning, however, from the area where he has been surveying this week and I'm including them in this blog entry for your information.
More to come as this effort continues.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Move that date back a week
Change in plan (the only certainty in disaster relief). We're moving that date back a week for the first team to go into Iowa. New schedule is to leave Sunday, July 27 after church and return Saturday August 2.
I hope that helps you to go on the trip too! Email or call my cell (614-404-8610) if you can.
I hope that helps you to go on the trip too! Email or call my cell (614-404-8610) if you can.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Look for us at the NACC
The North American Christian Convention is in Cincinnati this year, Tuesday through Thursday this week. If you are there, come see us at booth 1027 between the entrances from the exhibit hall to the main hall!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
IOWA IS ON!
The recovery effort in Cedar Rapids is up and running. We will be sending our first team in, Sunday July 20 leaving after church. They will return Saturday July 26. Adam Metz of Alum Creek Church of Christ will be leading the team. Adam is a youth leader who has taken several trips to New Orleans with us.
To join this team, please send me an email. More information will be coming over the next week.
What to bring information is identical to what we have needed for New Orleans work. You can find that information on the Volunteer link at www.servantsunite.org.
More teams will likely follow! They will require team leads and funding for fuel and van rentals. If you can't make this trip, but can do a later date, please let me know and I'll publicize prospective dates through the list and the blog.
Other than volunteering, here's what Servants Unite needs from you.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
To join this team, please send me an email. More information will be coming over the next week.
What to bring information is identical to what we have needed for New Orleans work. You can find that information on the Volunteer link at www.servantsunite.org.
More teams will likely follow! They will require team leads and funding for fuel and van rentals. If you can't make this trip, but can do a later date, please let me know and I'll publicize prospective dates through the list and the blog.
Other than volunteering, here's what Servants Unite needs from you.
- Prayers - My home church, Westerville Christian, had Servants Unite on our prayer list for focused intercession Wednesday this week. Thursday we got a private donation of $2,000! Pray for volunteers, funding, good work, and that God will use us to touch others as Christ's hands and feet.
- Donations - Response to this takes money. Volunteers on recent trips have been paying much of the bill out of pocket. Servants Unite's mission is to organize those who may not have found missions attractive previously and often that's due to fundraising. The more we have donated to cover expenses, the more people will find God's presence through service.
- Leaders - Adam has stepped forward to lead this team out, but we need other team leads to help organize and manage teams in the field. Please call or email to discuss the opportunities Servants Unite has for this and future responses.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Cedar Rapids Update 6/18
We are in contact with the preacher of a church in Cedar Rapids and following up on leads to Serve the City, an organization of church congregations out there who is heading up relief work with city government and emergency management. I'm also tracking down potential work and accommodations with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief who has been awesome to work with in the past. I hope to have a place to serve locked down by the weekend.
In response to my last email out to the group, I've heard from one person interested in going in a few weeks and one interested in collecting supplies to send out. I have had contact from other groups out of state who are also looking for a place to serve in this disaster.
This is the time to serve folks. We are called as we were after Katrina and closer to home in Bucyrus last summer. We will not be fielding a team Saturday, but we have found the need exists for volunteers and we will be sending help as it is available. Please consider being His hands and feet to people who's lives have been destroyed by this flood. We will also be looking out for physical needs we can fulfill by collecting needed supplies to ship out.
Anyone feeling called to this effort should send me an email or call Melinda at 614-523-3996.
We are also in need of donations and special collections to finance this mission. donation information is available on the contact us page of the web site.
I'll keep you posted as plans solidify.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
In response to my last email out to the group, I've heard from one person interested in going in a few weeks and one interested in collecting supplies to send out. I have had contact from other groups out of state who are also looking for a place to serve in this disaster.
This is the time to serve folks. We are called as we were after Katrina and closer to home in Bucyrus last summer. We will not be fielding a team Saturday, but we have found the need exists for volunteers and we will be sending help as it is available. Please consider being His hands and feet to people who's lives have been destroyed by this flood. We will also be looking out for physical needs we can fulfill by collecting needed supplies to ship out.
Anyone feeling called to this effort should send me an email or call Melinda at 614-523-3996.
We are also in need of donations and special collections to finance this mission. donation information is available on the contact us page of the web site.
I'll keep you posted as plans solidify.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Midwest Flooding Will Call for National Response
Historic flooding in Iowa this week will likely require a national response giving
Servants Unite volunteers the opportunity to serve in the name of Christ. Specifically, Cedar Rapids, a city of 120,000 and a 9 hour drive from Columbus, will likely need outside assistance in the next couple of months. If you can schedule some time out to serve we will begin organizing teams tentatively to begin leaving in one week, June 21.
Details on the extreme conditions in Iowa as of today are included in this article online this morning. Highlights and statistics from the article include:
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Servants Unite volunteers the opportunity to serve in the name of Christ. Specifically, Cedar Rapids, a city of 120,000 and a 9 hour drive from Columbus, will likely need outside assistance in the next couple of months. If you can schedule some time out to serve we will begin organizing teams tentatively to begin leaving in one week, June 21.
Details on the extreme conditions in Iowa as of today are included in this article online this morning. Highlights and statistics from the article include:
- Mandatory evacuations are in place in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines where levies have been breached.
- Flood stage of the Cedar River is 12 feet above the previous recorded flood record from the 1800s
- Only 1 of 8 wells supplying water to Cedar Rapids is usable, protected by sandbags and pumps, and therefore is severely threatened.
- Cedar Rapids total population is 120,000 of which 20,000 are believed to be out of their homes.
- 400 blocks are estimated to be underwater.
- The "wave" of water is continuing downstream in the Mississippi and other smaller rivers feeding it indicating that more flooding is imminent downstream.
- Crew leaders to organize teams from their churches, work, and civic organizations.
- Volunteers with basic tools for mud out and brush cut up and removal.
- Possibly supplies including drinking water, materials for personal care kits, baby kits, and other first response supplies for disaster victims left with nothing.
- Possibly local volunteers to collect and package first response supply kits.
- Financial donations to get volunteers to the area, fed, working, and back home.
- Connections you may have to churches or people in the disaster zone to partner with.
- Local leaders to help manage team prep, supplies, shipping, and other organization tasks.
Servants Unite!
John McGuire
Friday, May 02, 2008
Opportunity to support Servants Unite and other Kingdom work
I can't take credit for this idea. I got it from WCBE, a Columbus public radio station, but I love it! We all have spiritual gifts, but it seems in different proportions. I don't want to say giving isn't one of mine, but rather I never seem to have it to give.
"if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously"
We have an awesome responsibility to be good stewards and we have an excellent opportunity over the next few weeks to do that.
Tax refunds are coming back now which is an opportunity we have annually, but we are also all getting stimulus checks, or direct deposits through May and June that are over and above what we usually have available for disposable income.
We could buy our families that new 40" flat screen digital HD TV to replace our soon to be antiquated analog sets. We have every opportunity and right to make that choice.
We can do a lot more than that though!
Even if we only choose to donate half the proceeds from the stimulus check to a non-profit like Servants Unite, our church, the local food pantry, or a mission organization, the combined giving for the one time opportunity could be huge. These efforts for the Kingdom can get a massive one time shot of capital.
You may also choose to pay off debt. One of the ways Satan hampers our life mission is binding us to revolving debt obligations. There are a lot of programs for getting out, but all require a general change in your expectations for standard of living. This is a good, relatively painless way to pay down at least some of your obligations.
I write this, therefore to encourage you, most of whom are like me, that never seem to have extra and yet find a myriad of good causes to support. Please don't miss this opportunity to give generously and please consider supporting Servants Unite's mission as we approach a new hurricane season with debt obligations of our own. You can find donation information on the "Contact Us" page of the web site, including the Paypal option. Remember, we are a 501(c)3 non-profit and all donations are deductible from your 2008 taxes.
John McGuire
"if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously"
We have an awesome responsibility to be good stewards and we have an excellent opportunity over the next few weeks to do that.
Tax refunds are coming back now which is an opportunity we have annually, but we are also all getting stimulus checks, or direct deposits through May and June that are over and above what we usually have available for disposable income.
We could buy our families that new 40" flat screen digital HD TV to replace our soon to be antiquated analog sets. We have every opportunity and right to make that choice.
We can do a lot more than that though!
Even if we only choose to donate half the proceeds from the stimulus check to a non-profit like Servants Unite, our church, the local food pantry, or a mission organization, the combined giving for the one time opportunity could be huge. These efforts for the Kingdom can get a massive one time shot of capital.
You may also choose to pay off debt. One of the ways Satan hampers our life mission is binding us to revolving debt obligations. There are a lot of programs for getting out, but all require a general change in your expectations for standard of living. This is a good, relatively painless way to pay down at least some of your obligations.
I write this, therefore to encourage you, most of whom are like me, that never seem to have extra and yet find a myriad of good causes to support. Please don't miss this opportunity to give generously and please consider supporting Servants Unite's mission as we approach a new hurricane season with debt obligations of our own. You can find donation information on the "Contact Us" page of the web site, including the Paypal option. Remember, we are a 501(c)3 non-profit and all donations are deductible from your 2008 taxes.
John McGuire
Friday, April 18, 2008
UB Spring Break Mission Trip 2008
This is the third year in a row that the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship from the State University of New York at Buffalo has worked through Servants Unite for their spring break Mission trip. Through blizzard, vehicle rental problems, trouble finding work, and vehicle breakdowns, This team had an awesome week serving March 8-15. Here are pictures from some of the participants. You may also see some of us on the May 18th Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
Joe
Lidia
Paul
Pui Yi
Stephanie
Joe
Lidia
Paul
Pui Yi
Stephanie
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Upcomming Trips
Adult leaders knowledgeable in construction, feeding volunteers, driving, or helping to organize trips are needed for our two scheduled spring break trips. Trips will be largely populated by college and high school students which can be problematic with the self sufficiency required by our new partner arrangements. Please consider taking one of these two weeks to serve with the volunteers who continue to flock to the disaster for spring break rather than hang out on the beach. These will be some of the most impressive young people you could meet.
March 8 - March 14, University of Buffalo Student Christian Fellowship will be making their third annual trip. We had 45 people last year and maybe more this year. I had the pleasure of spending the week with this group last year and I don't exaggerate when I tell you they are the future leaders of our church, our country and our world. I do confess, they make me feel old ;-)
March 22-29 (or 28th) is the week that most all schools around the Columbus area are on spring break. My family will be leading a team down that week and we invite you to join us. High school students are invite to attend with a youth leader from their church, or a recommendation from their youth minister. Middle school students are invited to attend with a parent or responsible relative. Of course anyone else who would like to go this week will be indispensable to our efforts.
We also need funding to cover these trips. Our account balance is at $2,600. These trips will cost much more than that when we consider the cost of rentals, food, board, and fuel. Please appeal to your churches to help support these teams so that Servants Unite can continue to provide a cost free opportunity to sample the mission experience. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and 100% of our funding goes directly to connecting volunteers to disaster victims in His name.
March 8 - March 14, University of Buffalo Student Christian Fellowship will be making their third annual trip. We had 45 people last year and maybe more this year. I had the pleasure of spending the week with this group last year and I don't exaggerate when I tell you they are the future leaders of our church, our country and our world. I do confess, they make me feel old ;-)
March 22-29 (or 28th) is the week that most all schools around the Columbus area are on spring break. My family will be leading a team down that week and we invite you to join us. High school students are invite to attend with a youth leader from their church, or a recommendation from their youth minister. Middle school students are invited to attend with a parent or responsible relative. Of course anyone else who would like to go this week will be indispensable to our efforts.
We also need funding to cover these trips. Our account balance is at $2,600. These trips will cost much more than that when we consider the cost of rentals, food, board, and fuel. Please appeal to your churches to help support these teams so that Servants Unite can continue to provide a cost free opportunity to sample the mission experience. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and 100% of our funding goes directly to connecting volunteers to disaster victims in His name.
Flooding and Tornado Info
This past week, Tornadoes, large and many, destroyed lives and property. Hardest hit was Tennessee. Nearly 60 deaths were recorded. One storm stayed on the ground for 50 miles cutting a swath 1/4 mile wide. Servants Unite will not be mounting a response to these storms as they are almost without exception handled well by local governments, churches, and organizations who are equipped for that spotty, yet still devastating scale disaster. Some churches in effected areas are mounting an effort, however. You can find some listed on our partner organization's site, www.hilltoprescue.org. Also, there, you'll find statistics for their work in California wildfire relief late last year.
I'll continue to monitor the situation and will post updates as they happen.
Ohio has seen nearly every kind of extreme weather as well. Flooding earlier in the week for the areas where we assisted last summer was less severe than it was then. Local officials are actually expecting to work in other counties who still have flooding concerns as the swell of water flows out to Lake Erie and the Ohio River. You can see current weather advisories for our state here:
Ohio North
Ohio South
If you live in effected areas or can travel there to help determine the need for assistance, please contact me immediately as I'm laid up with the flu, probably for another few days yet. My contact info is to the right. County EMA office contact information is here.
Your prayers for all those effected and the work the Lord has on our plate are valuable. Though we weep for the victims of disasters, we give thanks for the opportunities we've had to serve and witness to victims and volunteers and to show God's love for them giving Him the glory. We pray for discernment and the human relationships to continue to develop that will allow us to be in the right place at the right time for His plan. Amen.
I'll continue to monitor the situation and will post updates as they happen.
Ohio has seen nearly every kind of extreme weather as well. Flooding earlier in the week for the areas where we assisted last summer was less severe than it was then. Local officials are actually expecting to work in other counties who still have flooding concerns as the swell of water flows out to Lake Erie and the Ohio River. You can see current weather advisories for our state here:
Ohio North
Ohio South
If you live in effected areas or can travel there to help determine the need for assistance, please contact me immediately as I'm laid up with the flu, probably for another few days yet. My contact info is to the right. County EMA office contact information is here.
Your prayers for all those effected and the work the Lord has on our plate are valuable. Though we weep for the victims of disasters, we give thanks for the opportunities we've had to serve and witness to victims and volunteers and to show God's love for them giving Him the glory. We pray for discernment and the human relationships to continue to develop that will allow us to be in the right place at the right time for His plan. Amen.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
A couple pics from Team 31
Brad Pitt was on this stage!
In this photo: Whitney Hayes, Philip Moon, Pat Houston, Emily Maxwell (photos), Hannah Wilson, Abi Colleen Maxwell (photos), Josh Boley
In this photo: Whitney Hayes, Philip Moon, Pat Houston, Emily Maxwell (photos), Hannah Wilson, Abi Colleen Maxwell (photos), Josh Boley
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Web and Email offline
This is the only comms channel I have open right now. The server that has been hosting the web site and email was wiped out Christmas Eve. No permanent loss there, except for the potential of loosing a chunk of the current email list. Restoring that is a top priority and I hope to have the new site and email up and running again on a new server in a few days.
Thanks for you're continued support!
John McGuire
Thanks for you're continued support!
John McGuire
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Lower Lights Christmas House Update
Things continue to progress fairly well and it looks like we may make the Christmas deadline for occupancy on 1057 Bellows Avenue. Today, carpet is being laid, siding is being hung, appliances are going in, and we hope to pass our electrical final inspection (plumbing final is tomorrow).
We are in need of help on Friday and Saturday to do punch out items – everything from touch up paint to cleaning to sealing grout. All skills levels are welcome. We also continue to need assistance in preparing our other property for occupancy – needing painters/wallpaper removal.
If you can help with any of these items, please contact myself or one of the following:
Andy Scott 614-404-5162
Bill Ruark 740-972-1183
I want to also remind you that we are planning an open house/ribbon cutting for this Sunday from 2-3 p.m.
Thanks for your financial support, your hard work, and your prayers to make this possible.
God Bless,
David C Gay
Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries, Inc.
1066 Bellows Avenue - Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.228.3855 (phone) 614.228.1255 (fax)
www.lowerlights.org
We are in need of help on Friday and Saturday to do punch out items – everything from touch up paint to cleaning to sealing grout. All skills levels are welcome. We also continue to need assistance in preparing our other property for occupancy – needing painters/wallpaper removal.
If you can help with any of these items, please contact myself or one of the following:
Andy Scott 614-404-5162
Bill Ruark 740-972-1183
I want to also remind you that we are planning an open house/ribbon cutting for this Sunday from 2-3 p.m.
Thanks for your financial support, your hard work, and your prayers to make this possible.
God Bless,
David C Gay
Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries, Inc.
1066 Bellows Avenue - Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.228.3855 (phone) 614.228.1255 (fax)
www.lowerlights.org
Friday, December 07, 2007
Bucyrus Update
You can find an article that gives a great update to the work continuing up in Bucyrus here.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Lower Lights Construction Update
Current work on 1057 Bellows Avenue continues to progress well. Roofing workers and the drywall crew are underway. The revised schedule is as follows:
Dec 3 – Drywall will be complete
Dec 5 – trim work to be installed
Dec 6-10 – Prime and paint (we have a team in place)
Dec. 8-10 – Install kitchen cabinets (help is needed)
Dec 10-14 – Install tile (help is needed)
Dec 15-20 – Install carpet (to be contracted)/ /fixtures (help is needed)
Dec 21-24 – Final Inspection
Again, I can’t stress how pleased we have been with the response we have received. I apologize for those who have not been able to plug in, but we are having to adjust things continually because of our time frame. Thanks for being patient.
I also want you to know that we are working on another property that has just come online for us. It is a two bedroom town home that we hope to have ready by December 16th. The scope of this project is not nearly as intense.
David C Gay
Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries, Inc.
1066 Bellows Avenue - Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.228.3855 (phone) 614.228.1255 (fax)
www.lowerlights.org
Dec 3 – Drywall will be complete
Dec 5 – trim work to be installed
Dec 6-10 – Prime and paint (we have a team in place)
Dec. 8-10 – Install kitchen cabinets (help is needed)
Dec 10-14 – Install tile (help is needed)
Dec 15-20 – Install carpet (to be contracted)/ /fixtures (help is needed)
Dec 21-24 – Final Inspection
Again, I can’t stress how pleased we have been with the response we have received. I apologize for those who have not been able to plug in, but we are having to adjust things continually because of our time frame. Thanks for being patient.
I also want you to know that we are working on another property that has just come online for us. It is a two bedroom town home that we hope to have ready by December 16th. The scope of this project is not nearly as intense.
David C Gay
Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries, Inc.
1066 Bellows Avenue - Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.228.3855 (phone) 614.228.1255 (fax)
www.lowerlights.org
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
California Wildfire Relief Pics
Nate and Trudy Bertram from New Life, Canal Winchester (Ohio) took these pictures on their trip to San Diego last week to work with Hilltop Rescue.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Hilltop Wildfire Relief Pics
If you are on Facebook, Chrissy Wyatt has some great pics up from the San Diego area relief work. If you aren't on Facebook, why not? ;-)
Local Christmas Service Opportunity
Lower Lights, a ministry working in the depressed Hilltop/Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, needs volunteer labor to get a house livable for a local family before Christmas. The details are below. It appears there are two opportunities, this week to install insulation, and then after December 5 for finishing. If you’d like to go down, let me know and I’ll try to help organize SU volunteers.
Greetings all,
I apologize for not being in contact for several weeks, but we have been spending most of our time getting the mechanical on the house completed. The good news is that the electric, plumbing, and HVAC inspections have passed. The bad news is that the next month we are going to have to work like mad to get our family in by Christmas. This is ambitious (especially December being so crazy for all of us), but we believe it is doable.
The planned schedule is as follows:
If you or any of your people can help, please call Andy Scott (404-5162) or myself (738-4129) and we will make arrangements.
I GREATLY appreciate your patience through this process and your dedication to open the door to homeownership for low-income families.
David C Gay
Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries, Inc.
1066 Bellows Avenue - Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.228.3855 (phone) 614.228.1255 (fax)
www.lowerlights.org
Greetings all,
I apologize for not being in contact for several weeks, but we have been spending most of our time getting the mechanical on the house completed. The good news is that the electric, plumbing, and HVAC inspections have passed. The bad news is that the next month we are going to have to work like mad to get our family in by Christmas. This is ambitious (especially December being so crazy for all of us), but we believe it is doable.
The planned schedule is as follows:
- Nov 15-19 – finish structural needs for inspection
- Nov. 21 - have structural inspection passed
- Nov. 26 – have insulation installed (we could use volunteers!)
- Dec. 4 – have drywall completed (we are contracting this out because of skill level needed and time constraints)
- Priming/painting
- Installing plumbing fixtures
- Installing kitchen cabinets/appliances
- Installing flooring
- Installing electric fixtures
If you or any of your people can help, please call Andy Scott (404-5162) or myself (738-4129) and we will make arrangements.
I GREATLY appreciate your patience through this process and your dedication to open the door to homeownership for low-income families.
David C Gay
Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries, Inc.
1066 Bellows Avenue - Columbus, Ohio 43223
614.228.3855 (phone) 614.228.1255 (fax)
www.lowerlights.org
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