Sunday, December 25, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Update from Bastrop Church of Christ
There is one more weekend left at the Bastrop Church of Christ, where we will be open for distribution of supplies (clothes, everyday items) Thursday, Friday, and Sat, 10 AM - 5PM. After that we will still be helping but in another phase... We will focus more on larger appliances, custom needs that will need an appointment and evaluations
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Work in Bastrop, TX - Update from Mark Klym
Spent last evening at a pep rally getting "fired up" to help build a home in 106 hours! Extreme Makeover Home Edition is coming to Bastrop next week. We do not know who the lucky family will be, but they need 3000 volunteers to make this happen. We showed the producers a great Texas welcome. Now let's show them that Central Texas can make this happen!
Mark Klym
Mark Klym
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Bastrop, TX Disaster Assistance
By Jana Copeland
On Sept. 4, when the Labor Day Fires began, members of the Bastrop Church of Christ had no idea what our “place” would be in the community with our offer to help. We took a step out in faith and quickly became a Disaster Assistance Relief Center.
We offered help and began getting donations of all kinds coming in from the community, other churches, out of state as far away as Maine and even as far as a little island off the South of Pacific in the American Samoa territory called Pago Pago.
“Just the outpouring of all the help coming in, it surprised me and touched me that anyone that far away knows about what is going on in Bastrop and chose us to send a donation to,” said Smith “Smitty” Covey, an elder at the church.
Jimmy Copeland, another elder at the church, said “Just so much compassion and generosity being shown, even by those who lost their own homes, is a true blessing to experience and it has touched my heart.”
One of the biggest suppliers of food and supplies has come from Church of Christ Disaster Relief, Inc. from Nashville, Tenn. They have delivered three semi truck loads of food and supplies worth more than $250,000. Most of those supplies have been handed out to those who came looking for immediate food and supplies. They supplied us with the means to hand out boxes of non-perishable foods for families of four, five-gallon buckets of cleaning supplies, boxes of personal items, boxes of items for infants, shovels, rakes, mops, brooms, bleach, laundry, dish soap and more. Texas Boot Company out of Bastrop donated boxes and boxes of jeans, which has been such a blessing to so many.
God’s grace
By God’s gracious mercy and love, we have been supplied with the means to help well over 1,000 families, so far, and we are averaging about 80 fire victim families visiting and collecting food and supplies a day, on the days we are open. We hope to be able to continue to supply non-perishable foods and all types of supplies as well as household items and furniture.
As those who lost their homes are getting into more permanent housing, their needs are changing and we are phasing some things out and changing what we offer to meet those new needs. When asked what the church’s goal was and if there was a time frame for shutting the relief down, Ted Bowers, one of four elders, said, “Our goal here is to help those in need for as long as there is a need. We can’t put an expiration date on it. We are trying to walk in the way of the scriptures, as Galations 5:6, says that the only thing that counts, is faith expressing itself through love, and further down in Galations 6:9 it says to not let us grow weary in doing good.”
The Disaster Assistance COC, Mike Baumgartner from Lake Jackson who is associated with Lake Jackson Church of Christ, has a mobile kitchen unit set up on the church grounds and provides meals twice a day for fire victims, firefighters, police and volunteers to eat here or pick up and take home. To visit their web site go to www.disaster
assistancecoc.com. Mike has been a blessing here to all of us, by feeding us and also bringing in a lot of volunteers through his contacts from previous missions where he has been set up.
We have been blessed with volunteers from all over, on a daily basis, who have worked endlessly on sorting and organizing all the clothes, dishes, food pantry items, loading and unloading trailers of everything from basic canned foods to whole bedroom suites. What a blessing and wonderful thing to see the outpouring of love, kindness and generosity for those who lost so much in the Labor Day Fires. We have groups of volunteers who go out and clean up homesites, as well.
What a blessing it has been for those who have found themselves with nothing, being provided so much by their fellow community peers. Ronnie Morris, one of the four elders at the Bastrop Church of Christ who is heading up the volunteers who clean up home sites, said, “Just to look on the volunteers’ ash-covered faces when a site is marked clean is a blessing to all of us and has touched me more than I can express.”
Thanksgiving dinner
We are planning a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire community and also anyone involved in the Bastrop fires, including firefighters, police, volunteers and families whose homes were affected on Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Please spread the word and let everyone know that we are serving Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, as we count and give thanks for all the blessings we do have. We are sure that God’s love and compassion is being shown through all who are here volunteering and donating.
Distribution times
Our days and hours of distribution for fire victims are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We can use volunteers seven days a week to sort and organize the donations. We are accepting donations of furniture, household items and gift cards still.
On Sept. 4, when the Labor Day Fires began, members of the Bastrop Church of Christ had no idea what our “place” would be in the community with our offer to help. We took a step out in faith and quickly became a Disaster Assistance Relief Center.
We offered help and began getting donations of all kinds coming in from the community, other churches, out of state as far away as Maine and even as far as a little island off the South of Pacific in the American Samoa territory called Pago Pago.
“Just the outpouring of all the help coming in, it surprised me and touched me that anyone that far away knows about what is going on in Bastrop and chose us to send a donation to,” said Smith “Smitty” Covey, an elder at the church.
Jimmy Copeland, another elder at the church, said “Just so much compassion and generosity being shown, even by those who lost their own homes, is a true blessing to experience and it has touched my heart.”
One of the biggest suppliers of food and supplies has come from Church of Christ Disaster Relief, Inc. from Nashville, Tenn. They have delivered three semi truck loads of food and supplies worth more than $250,000. Most of those supplies have been handed out to those who came looking for immediate food and supplies. They supplied us with the means to hand out boxes of non-perishable foods for families of four, five-gallon buckets of cleaning supplies, boxes of personal items, boxes of items for infants, shovels, rakes, mops, brooms, bleach, laundry, dish soap and more. Texas Boot Company out of Bastrop donated boxes and boxes of jeans, which has been such a blessing to so many.
God’s grace
By God’s gracious mercy and love, we have been supplied with the means to help well over 1,000 families, so far, and we are averaging about 80 fire victim families visiting and collecting food and supplies a day, on the days we are open. We hope to be able to continue to supply non-perishable foods and all types of supplies as well as household items and furniture.
As those who lost their homes are getting into more permanent housing, their needs are changing and we are phasing some things out and changing what we offer to meet those new needs. When asked what the church’s goal was and if there was a time frame for shutting the relief down, Ted Bowers, one of four elders, said, “Our goal here is to help those in need for as long as there is a need. We can’t put an expiration date on it. We are trying to walk in the way of the scriptures, as Galations 5:6, says that the only thing that counts, is faith expressing itself through love, and further down in Galations 6:9 it says to not let us grow weary in doing good.”
The Disaster Assistance COC, Mike Baumgartner from Lake Jackson who is associated with Lake Jackson Church of Christ, has a mobile kitchen unit set up on the church grounds and provides meals twice a day for fire victims, firefighters, police and volunteers to eat here or pick up and take home. To visit their web site go to www.disaster
assistancecoc.com. Mike has been a blessing here to all of us, by feeding us and also bringing in a lot of volunteers through his contacts from previous missions where he has been set up.
We have been blessed with volunteers from all over, on a daily basis, who have worked endlessly on sorting and organizing all the clothes, dishes, food pantry items, loading and unloading trailers of everything from basic canned foods to whole bedroom suites. What a blessing and wonderful thing to see the outpouring of love, kindness and generosity for those who lost so much in the Labor Day Fires. We have groups of volunteers who go out and clean up homesites, as well.
What a blessing it has been for those who have found themselves with nothing, being provided so much by their fellow community peers. Ronnie Morris, one of the four elders at the Bastrop Church of Christ who is heading up the volunteers who clean up home sites, said, “Just to look on the volunteers’ ash-covered faces when a site is marked clean is a blessing to all of us and has touched me more than I can express.”
Thanksgiving dinner
We are planning a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire community and also anyone involved in the Bastrop fires, including firefighters, police, volunteers and families whose homes were affected on Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Please spread the word and let everyone know that we are serving Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, as we count and give thanks for all the blessings we do have. We are sure that God’s love and compassion is being shown through all who are here volunteering and donating.
Distribution times
Our days and hours of distribution for fire victims are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We can use volunteers seven days a week to sort and organize the donations. We are accepting donations of furniture, household items and gift cards still.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Below is letter that was sent to the Bastrop Church of Christ.
Dear Church of Christ Volunteers
Coming to your disaster relief center has been and is the bright spot in the center of all this turmoil.
It has been such a pleasure to discover true Christians, people who have clearly read the gospels and intend to live the life Christ tells us will not only make us happy but will lead to a heaven with him.
Thank you so much for all you have done to make this experience bearable. Thank you for everything.
Coming to your disaster relief center has been and is the bright spot in the center of all this turmoil.
It has been such a pleasure to discover true Christians, people who have clearly read the gospels and intend to live the life Christ tells us will not only make us happy but will lead to a heaven with him.
Thank you so much for all you have done to make this experience bearable. Thank you for everything.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Don's Devotional
Affections are powerful. Affections are often that on which we focus and use so much of our strength and energy. My affections can be good or bad, it really does depend on me. It is written, "set your affections on things that are above". In doing this, it can help us grow in the Spirit. By setting our affections on the living Jesus, we can grow in our concern for the church...that in all things He might have the preeminence. We can grow spiritually in bible study...rightly dividing the word. It has been said, "that which becomes still, becomes stagnant". I want my life to be a refreshing stream not a stagnant pond. I believe you do too. Let's help and encourage each other.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
-Disaster Assistance-Update from Central Church of Christ Tuscaloosa, AL by Lee Jamieson-
We have been providing appliances, furniture and ongoing assistance to folks we encountered during the time you were here. We cull through the contacts and assist them as they find their new permanent home. We have helped 35-40 families in this way so far. We are lined up to assist 15 families as soon as their new Habitat-For-Humanity homes are completed.
Monday, October 24, 2011
-Disaster Assistancce-Bastrop TX CoC-We received 1000 cases today each filled with the following items: 14 oz box cereal, 2 boxes mac & cheese, 4 packs of ramen noodles, 2 bx of jello, 1 pk paper plates, box of tuna helper, 1 pk spaghetti, 1 can spaghetti sauce, jar of peanut butter, jar of jelly, box of saltines, 2 cans of chili, roll of paper towels, pk of silverware, laundry soap, six pack applesauce, bx of instant coffee, bag of pinto beans and a bag of rice.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Disaster Assistance/Bastrop Church of Christ
Group of Abilene Christian University students here for the weekend volunteering, just back from cleaning a homesite.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thanksgiving Meal for Bastrop,TX area.
On Saturday November 12 a Thanksgiving meal will be served at the Bastrop Church of Christ for fire victims, fire fighters, police and anyone in the area that wants to attend.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Below is from todays Bastrop Church of Christ bulletin
The Bastrop Church of Christ Relief efforts continue on going into our 7th week, beginning today. We have had donations of all kinds coming in from the community, other Churches of Christ, and even those out of state as far away as Maine. We, by Gods gracious mercy and love, have been supplied with the means to help well over 1,000 families so far.
We have been blessed with volunteers from all over, on a daily basis, who have worked endlessly on sorting and organizing all the clothes, dishes, food pantry items, loading and unloading trailers of everything for basic can foods to whole bedroom suits. What a blessing and wonderful thing to see the outpouring of loving kindness, and generosity of those who lost so much in the Labor Day Fires.
We have groups of volunteers who go out and clean up the home sites as well. What a blessing it has been for those who have found themselves with nothing, being provided so much by their fellow community peers.
We are sure that God's love and compassion is being shown through all who are here volunteering and donating, in his name. What a way to reach out to the community and show them how much we do care and how much love God can bring to a community through those of his children who are willing to open their hearts and mind and let God work through them.....All Glory to God!
We have been blessed with volunteers from all over, on a daily basis, who have worked endlessly on sorting and organizing all the clothes, dishes, food pantry items, loading and unloading trailers of everything for basic can foods to whole bedroom suits. What a blessing and wonderful thing to see the outpouring of loving kindness, and generosity of those who lost so much in the Labor Day Fires.
We have groups of volunteers who go out and clean up the home sites as well. What a blessing it has been for those who have found themselves with nothing, being provided so much by their fellow community peers.
We are sure that God's love and compassion is being shown through all who are here volunteering and donating, in his name. What a way to reach out to the community and show them how much we do care and how much love God can bring to a community through those of his children who are willing to open their hearts and mind and let God work through them.....All Glory to God!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
-Disaster Assistance-Bastrop Church of Christ,TX-
Load of hay just arrived for our 4 legged friends. We have around 70 volunteers working here at the distribution center and out cleaning up burned homes today.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
-Disaster Assistance-Bastrop,TX-
Town Hall Community Conversation from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts, 1401 Cedar Street, Bastrop.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we’ve already started on our way back,” Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald said. “We know people have questions about what happens next, so we’re getting representatives from government agencies and other public sector providers together so people can get their questions answered in one place.”
We were here with Elders from Bastrop CoC last night with a display setup.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we’ve already started on our way back,” Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald said. “We know people have questions about what happens next, so we’re getting representatives from government agencies and other public sector providers together so people can get their questions answered in one place.”
We were here with Elders from Bastrop CoC last night with a display setup.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Bastrop Church of Christ
New items are needed by those in our community who are rebuilding their lives and homes after the Labor Day fires.... ladders, paint brushes, hand tools and masking tape. As you can see by this new list, priorities are changing. These items may be dropped off at the Bastrop Church of Christ building which is located at 287 FM 20. Please share this with your FB friends. Your help is very appreciated.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Disaster Assistance-Bastrop,TX
Was out surveying the area with Elders of Bastrop CoC last night. Photo below is one of the burned homes that we have helped clean up.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management
Update: Fire has been name Old Potato Fire. Fire is estimated at 500-600 acs and spreading north toward Herron Trail and 2336 Camp Swift. TFS has several aircraft resources fighting fire including DC-10. Herron Trail and Oak Hill Cemetary Rd to 2336 have been evacuated.
Central Texas fires 2011
The Austin Bar Association in partnership with the Bastrop County Bar Association has opened a free legal clinic in the Disaster Relief Center (1602 Hill St., Bastrop High School 9th Grade Center) established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Attorney volunteers will be available at the Relief Center to answer basic legal questions Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The legal clinics will be available at this location as long as the FEMA Center is operating.
In addition, two hotlines have been set up for legal questions for those that cannot return to the area:
•State Bar of Texas: 1-800-504-7030
•Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: 1-866-757-1570
Attorney volunteers will be available at the Relief Center to answer basic legal questions Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The legal clinics will be available at this location as long as the FEMA Center is operating.
In addition, two hotlines have been set up for legal questions for those that cannot return to the area:
•State Bar of Texas: 1-800-504-7030
•Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: 1-866-757-1570
Bastrop, TX- Ralph and his group are from League City CoC, Texas
This is the place we worked in assistance to those that lost their homes in the recent wildfire. It was a brick home with a metal roof and steel studs, and it was completely destroyed, though the flag and pole in the front yard were untouched, as were the wood frame homes on either side of this one.
By: Ralph Bryant
By: Ralph Bryant
Monday, October 3, 2011
Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2
Still having ground fires inside the perimeter of the "Complex" fire. Please keep the needles swept away from your surviving homes. If you have yaupon brush remaining on your property, cut it back, or remove it completely. This is the "ladder fuel" that carries the fire into the tops of the trees. One month has passed and there are still many hot spots and stumps burning in the ground. The needle litter is igniting and will carry the fire to anything it can contact.
New phase begins in Bastrop rebuilding
Officials roll out programs to clean up areas
Updated: Monday, 03 Oct 2011, 10:37 AM CDT
Published : Monday, 03 Oct 2011, 10:33 AM CDT
BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - A new phase is beginning in Bastrop County as residents continue work to rebuild.
Officials are rolling out programs to clean up the areas affected by the wildfires.
Residents can now drop off debris along the sidewalks in front of their properties, and crews will pick it up.
Officials are also assessing the damage to the area's natural resources, all while firefighters remain on guard with these dry conditions.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Many thanks to the thousands of volunteers that have and are helping us. We feel your efforts are much more than a minimum wage estimate. We know that weather you help 1 hr, 1 day,1 week or more that the time you give is PRICELESS!!!!!!!!
At the present time here in Bastrop, TX at the Bastrop Church of Christ there is only two full time mission groups that are helping. Disaster Relief(Nashville) is providing part of the supplies and Disaster Assistance CoC is working onsite 24/7 with the Elders on all phases of this relief effort(homeowner fire damage cleanup, meal prep, supply distribution and all volunteer coordination for these efforts). Like at our past mission works we plan on being here as long as the Elders of Bastrop CoC feel we are needed.
I also want to thank the Elders and the members here at Bastrop CoC for all there help and support. So many of them are here everyday to make sure things are running smoothly. Also many other churches have sent volunteers, supplies and funds to help this work Thank You Thank You Thank You.
As always we still need three things:
Your Prayers
Volunteers
Funds
At the present time here in Bastrop, TX at the Bastrop Church of Christ there is only two full time mission groups that are helping. Disaster Relief(Nashville) is providing part of the supplies and Disaster Assistance CoC is working onsite 24/7 with the Elders on all phases of this relief effort(homeowner fire damage cleanup, meal prep, supply distribution and all volunteer coordination for these efforts). Like at our past mission works we plan on being here as long as the Elders of Bastrop CoC feel we are needed.
I also want to thank the Elders and the members here at Bastrop CoC for all there help and support. So many of them are here everyday to make sure things are running smoothly. Also many other churches have sent volunteers, supplies and funds to help this work Thank You Thank You Thank You.
As always we still need three things:
Your Prayers
Volunteers
Funds
Saturday, October 1, 2011
We have around 70 volunteers here helping today.
Most of this group is from Texas A&M
Group siging in before they go out to help homeowners cleanup fire damage
Group siging in before they go out to help homeowners cleanup fire damage
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
-Disaster Assistance-Bastrop,TX-
Below photo is a group of volunteers getting their equipment before heading out to help homeowner cleanup fire damage. You to can come and help.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Bastrop, TX
Sysco brought us a ref-truck and left it here for us to use. Having them deliver supplies saves me about 2 hours a day that I don't have to go to Walmart or Sams.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Disaster Assistance-Bastrop, TX
As of last night 650 families have been help here at the Bastrop CoC distribution center.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Disaster Assistance Bastrop, TX
We served 506 meals today. Photo below is of the singing service that was attended by many area churches here at Bastrop CoC tonight.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Don's Devotional
It is written, "For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it". James describes faith as obedient, caring, working faith. James 2:14-24. We can determine to grow in faith as we strive to know the "Great I Am" thru His word in the bible. This determinate study can help us know God and to know He knows us. Ps.139:10&23. Phil.3:10. Obedient, caring working faith...It is written, " For it is. God which works in you, both to will to do His good pleasure". What an honor! What a privilege!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
I have been trying to get things setup to better help everyone. I am going to be moving our mobile headquarters to the Bastrop Church of Christ in Bastrop, TX on Thursday. Starting this Friday we will be able to use volunteers there to do many different things (meal prep, supply distribution, help people clean there homes and deliver meals out into the community. ...Just let me know when you want to come and how many is coming. If you want to spend the night bring air mattress or cot, there is men's and lady's shower. When you get there just check in with me at the Disaster Assistance Mobile Headquarters.
Address is 287 FM 20, Bastrop TX.
Address is 287 FM 20, Bastrop TX.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
I took below photo with my phone on the way to Bastrop it was a chocolate factory
Just finished meeting with Elders at Bastrop CoC. We are going to start providing meals for them tomorrow and they are going to start compiling information for us about individuals that need help cleaning up their homes so we can send volunteers out.
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