Saturday, June 5, 2010
We have been in contact with BP, governors of FL,MS,AL and many local officals along the Gulf Coast they will let us know when we are needed
700 yard oil slick came ashore at Gulf Shores Al yesterday.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Past few weeks mission work
We went to Yazoo City, MS on 4/15 and was there 8 days. We served 1531 meals and Don had 30 bible studies going on. From there we went to Nashville, TN to help after the flood. We worked with Antioch and Western Hills Church of Christ and with Lispcomb University. We were there 25 days, cooked 6371 meals. Don had many bible studies going on and volunteers worked on around 200 houses. We are always prepared to leave for any disaster no matter where I am. The mobile headquarters I travel in has all of our cooking equipment and other supplies stored in it so we can be ready at any time.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Gulf Coast
Oil cleanup workers hired by BP walk Tuesday along the beach in Dauphin Island, Ala., where oil has started washing ashore. We are staying in touch with our contacts in LA, MS, AL and Fl and will head there when needed. Funds are needed to continue working disasters this summer please help if you can.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Gulf Breeze Florida
Gulf Breeze is poised to launch an aggressive battle plan to protect its six miles of coastline if efforts by BP to stop the oil fail, City Manager Edwin "Buz" Eddy said. That coastline is dotted with sensitive wetlands, fish nurseries, beaches and expensive waterfront homes.
"BP is the first responder," Eddy said. "What we're doing is prevention and protection methods. If BP is overwhelmed, we have a backup plan."
That backup plan includes:
n Protecting shoreline with 6,000 feet of turbidity curtains.
n Sending out volunteer coast watchers to spot and report approaching oil.
n Deploying a team of specially trained firefighters to use a $19,000 oil skimmer the city purchased to scoop up oil.
"BP is the first responder," Eddy said. "What we're doing is prevention and protection methods. If BP is overwhelmed, we have a backup plan."
That backup plan includes:
n Protecting shoreline with 6,000 feet of turbidity curtains.
n Sending out volunteer coast watchers to spot and report approaching oil.
n Deploying a team of specially trained firefighters to use a $19,000 oil skimmer the city purchased to scoop up oil.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Grand ole mess: Tennessee churches, Christian university rally after flood
NASHVILLE, TENN. - In Jesus’ familiar parable, a host demands that his servants search “streets and alleys” for people to serve at a great banquet.
But for the Bellevue Church of Christ, it was the freeway — Interstate 40, closed by torrential rains — that brought people to its doors.
They came seeking shelter. The church served them a banquet.
On that first Sunday in May, when the Bellevue church served and housed stranded motorists and people washed out of their homes, the congregation experienced just a trickle of the need that was to come.
Storms that weekend claimed 20 lives in Tennessee as well as six in Mississippi and four in Kentucky. An unprecedented 13.5 inches of rain fell in parts of Middle and West Tennessee in a two-day period, overwhelming the Cumberland River and submerging Nashville’s iconic landmarks, including the Grand Ole Opry. Thousands of homes were flooded, and damage is estimated in the billions of dollars.
The Bellevue area, southwest of downtown Nashville, was one of the city’s hardest hit.
Steve Blackman, pulpit minister for the Bellevue church, said 40 families in the congregation suffered property damage, most of them losing everything.
“The Harpeth River flows through here in a serpentine fashion,” Blackman said. “Well, the snake bit us.”
The banquet his congregation shared with the stranded motorists on May 2 was intended for the church’s graduating seniors. Blackman arrived at the building at 7 a.m., as usual, to make final preparations for the morning’s services.
Within an hour, floodwaters blocked the roads between his house and the church. His family wouldn’t be joining him for worship. Then the minister heard that the songleader’s house had flooded.
Only 89 people made it to the 9 a.m. assembly out of the customary 700. Once there, some couldn’t make it home.
The congregation opened its doors to other people caught by the flood. The meal prepared for the graduates went to about 100 overnight guests. Bellevue members supplied air mattresses, sheets and blankets.
The last “customers” arrived at 4 a.m. Monday, said Blackman, who finally got home that night.
NEEDS IN A DIVERSE COMMUNITY
In the days that followed, the Bellevue church became a focal point for relief and reconstruction. The congregation has worked with aid organizations to train volunteers to enter damaged homes and prepare them for rebuilding, tearing out waterlogged drywall and removing articles fouled with river water.
Southeast of downtown, the Antioch Church of Christ serves an area hard hit by waters from Mill Creek.
In a community known for diversity, the congregation reaches out to residents from 66 countries in its English classes, said Lisa Steele, director of English-language classes and the Hispanic ministry.
While a few in the congregation suffered damage, the Antioch church assisted 700 families — 60 to 70 percent of them immigrants — the first six days after the flood, Steele said.
“We were surrounded by water,” Steele recalled. “They were launching rescue boats right in front of our building.”
With the church forced to cancel services, the Antioch staff got to work as waters receded. On Tuesday, leaders went door to door surveying damage. In touch with Nashville-based Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, the church received a truckload of supplies Tuesday night. And Steele said Antioch served “hundreds and hundreds” of meals with the help of Lake Jackson, Texas-based Disaster Assistance CoC, a mobile-food ministry.
About two weeks after the disaster, the church hosted a Hispanic community meeting with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other assistance organizations. An information booth in Spanish located in the church lobby offers information to people still seeking help.
WIDOWS, ELDERLY DISPLACED
Other parts of Nashville — and places far from the state capital — mirrored the destruction in Bellevue and Antioch.
The small Pennington Bend Church of Christ meets across from Opryland Hotel, which was evacuated because of Cumberland River floodwaters.
Three Pennington Bend members lost their homes, and eight suffered considerable damage, said minister Tom Boyette. Most of the victims are widows, Boyette said, adding that many in his congregation are in their 80s.
At press time, one Pennington Bend family was temporarily living in the church building, which escaped damage. Boyette and his wife hosted a displaced member and her neighbor and son.
With Pennington Bend’s resources limited, the minister said, the congregation was working closely with the larger Mt. Juliet Church of Christ, east of Nashville.
In West Tennessee, members of the Millington Church of Christ, north of Memphis, also suffered damage from heavy rainfall and breached levees.
Family minister and elder Howard Howell said that 10 families in the congregation lost nearly everything. He said he was grateful for volunteers from nearby congregations helping rebuild Millington homes.
“One of the most amazing things is the churches working together,” Howell said. “It’s totally different when you have other folks working with you.”
‘IT’S ALL COME HOME TO US’
While congregations helped members and neighbors, organizations tied to Churches of Christ also played key roles in the Tennessee flood response.
By the end of the third week after the floods, Nashville’s Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort had shipped $1.5 million worth of flood-related supplies, said vice president and executive director Joe Dudney.
The organization set up 20 distribution centers at Tennessee churches, including nine in Nashville. In addition to the Antioch church, the Bellevue, Pennington Bend and Millington congregations received shipments.
Launched in 1990, the Disaster Relief Effort has distributed relief supplies to almost all 50 states.
With a disaster in the organization’s own backyard, Dudney acknowledged the tasks ahead.
“It’s all come home to us,” he said. “It’s big, and it’s going to get bigger.”
A LONG-SERVING SHELTER
Five miles from the Disaster Relief Effort’s 48,500 square-foot warehouse, Lipscomb University opened its doors to displaced people by hosting a Red Cross shelter.
Operating for 18 days, the shelter was the area’s first to open and last to close, according to university officials.
“While we have celebrated the work of students and staff who have traveled around the world to do mission and humanitarian work … this opportunity for service reflected the urgent needs of our own community,” Lipscomb President Randy Lowry told employees in an e-mail.
As many as 500 volunteers helped, serving between 400 and 800 people, said Walt Leaver, vice president for university relations.
Lipscomb agreed to the request May 1, just as the flooding began. A Red Cross trailer arrived with 200 cots that Lipscomb students unloaded in the pouring rain, Leaver said.
Around 10 p.m., the first guests arrived — a father, mother and several children. By dawn, the shelter had 70 occupants. Sunday afternoon, it reached capacity.
The university used its Student Activities Center as sleeping quarters and McQuiddy Gymnasium for guests to eat and relax.
“We just tried to provide some semblance … of life for those who were here,” Leaver said.
Above story taken from Christian Chronicle www.christianchronicle.org
But for the Bellevue Church of Christ, it was the freeway — Interstate 40, closed by torrential rains — that brought people to its doors.
They came seeking shelter. The church served them a banquet.
On that first Sunday in May, when the Bellevue church served and housed stranded motorists and people washed out of their homes, the congregation experienced just a trickle of the need that was to come.
Storms that weekend claimed 20 lives in Tennessee as well as six in Mississippi and four in Kentucky. An unprecedented 13.5 inches of rain fell in parts of Middle and West Tennessee in a two-day period, overwhelming the Cumberland River and submerging Nashville’s iconic landmarks, including the Grand Ole Opry. Thousands of homes were flooded, and damage is estimated in the billions of dollars.
The Bellevue area, southwest of downtown Nashville, was one of the city’s hardest hit.
Steve Blackman, pulpit minister for the Bellevue church, said 40 families in the congregation suffered property damage, most of them losing everything.
“The Harpeth River flows through here in a serpentine fashion,” Blackman said. “Well, the snake bit us.”
The banquet his congregation shared with the stranded motorists on May 2 was intended for the church’s graduating seniors. Blackman arrived at the building at 7 a.m., as usual, to make final preparations for the morning’s services.
Within an hour, floodwaters blocked the roads between his house and the church. His family wouldn’t be joining him for worship. Then the minister heard that the songleader’s house had flooded.
Only 89 people made it to the 9 a.m. assembly out of the customary 700. Once there, some couldn’t make it home.
The congregation opened its doors to other people caught by the flood. The meal prepared for the graduates went to about 100 overnight guests. Bellevue members supplied air mattresses, sheets and blankets.
The last “customers” arrived at 4 a.m. Monday, said Blackman, who finally got home that night.
NEEDS IN A DIVERSE COMMUNITY
In the days that followed, the Bellevue church became a focal point for relief and reconstruction. The congregation has worked with aid organizations to train volunteers to enter damaged homes and prepare them for rebuilding, tearing out waterlogged drywall and removing articles fouled with river water.
Southeast of downtown, the Antioch Church of Christ serves an area hard hit by waters from Mill Creek.
In a community known for diversity, the congregation reaches out to residents from 66 countries in its English classes, said Lisa Steele, director of English-language classes and the Hispanic ministry.
While a few in the congregation suffered damage, the Antioch church assisted 700 families — 60 to 70 percent of them immigrants — the first six days after the flood, Steele said.
“We were surrounded by water,” Steele recalled. “They were launching rescue boats right in front of our building.”
With the church forced to cancel services, the Antioch staff got to work as waters receded. On Tuesday, leaders went door to door surveying damage. In touch with Nashville-based Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, the church received a truckload of supplies Tuesday night. And Steele said Antioch served “hundreds and hundreds” of meals with the help of Lake Jackson, Texas-based Disaster Assistance CoC, a mobile-food ministry.
About two weeks after the disaster, the church hosted a Hispanic community meeting with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other assistance organizations. An information booth in Spanish located in the church lobby offers information to people still seeking help.
WIDOWS, ELDERLY DISPLACED
Other parts of Nashville — and places far from the state capital — mirrored the destruction in Bellevue and Antioch.
The small Pennington Bend Church of Christ meets across from Opryland Hotel, which was evacuated because of Cumberland River floodwaters.
Three Pennington Bend members lost their homes, and eight suffered considerable damage, said minister Tom Boyette. Most of the victims are widows, Boyette said, adding that many in his congregation are in their 80s.
At press time, one Pennington Bend family was temporarily living in the church building, which escaped damage. Boyette and his wife hosted a displaced member and her neighbor and son.
With Pennington Bend’s resources limited, the minister said, the congregation was working closely with the larger Mt. Juliet Church of Christ, east of Nashville.
In West Tennessee, members of the Millington Church of Christ, north of Memphis, also suffered damage from heavy rainfall and breached levees.
Family minister and elder Howard Howell said that 10 families in the congregation lost nearly everything. He said he was grateful for volunteers from nearby congregations helping rebuild Millington homes.
“One of the most amazing things is the churches working together,” Howell said. “It’s totally different when you have other folks working with you.”
‘IT’S ALL COME HOME TO US’
While congregations helped members and neighbors, organizations tied to Churches of Christ also played key roles in the Tennessee flood response.
By the end of the third week after the floods, Nashville’s Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort had shipped $1.5 million worth of flood-related supplies, said vice president and executive director Joe Dudney.
The organization set up 20 distribution centers at Tennessee churches, including nine in Nashville. In addition to the Antioch church, the Bellevue, Pennington Bend and Millington congregations received shipments.
Launched in 1990, the Disaster Relief Effort has distributed relief supplies to almost all 50 states.
With a disaster in the organization’s own backyard, Dudney acknowledged the tasks ahead.
“It’s all come home to us,” he said. “It’s big, and it’s going to get bigger.”
A LONG-SERVING SHELTER
Five miles from the Disaster Relief Effort’s 48,500 square-foot warehouse, Lipscomb University opened its doors to displaced people by hosting a Red Cross shelter.
Operating for 18 days, the shelter was the area’s first to open and last to close, according to university officials.
“While we have celebrated the work of students and staff who have traveled around the world to do mission and humanitarian work … this opportunity for service reflected the urgent needs of our own community,” Lipscomb President Randy Lowry told employees in an e-mail.
As many as 500 volunteers helped, serving between 400 and 800 people, said Walt Leaver, vice president for university relations.
Lipscomb agreed to the request May 1, just as the flooding began. A Red Cross trailer arrived with 200 cots that Lipscomb students unloaded in the pouring rain, Leaver said.
Around 10 p.m., the first guests arrived — a father, mother and several children. By dawn, the shelter had 70 occupants. Sunday afternoon, it reached capacity.
The university used its Student Activities Center as sleeping quarters and McQuiddy Gymnasium for guests to eat and relax.
“We just tried to provide some semblance … of life for those who were here,” Leaver said.
Above story taken from Christian Chronicle www.christianchronicle.org
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tropical Update
New 2010 predictions just released 18 named storms, 10 hurricanes of which 5 will be major hurricanes. Weather conditions are just the opposite of last year.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Update of our past few weeks work
After spending a couple of weeks in south Texas visiting with several churches about our Disaster Assistance work, on April 4 I left for Yazoo City, MS, to serve food to folks affected by the tornado which struck that town on April 2. We were there until May 4 when we received a call for help from the Antioch Church of Christ in Nashville after that area was hit by the “1000 year flood”. This was our 2nd trip to Tennessee for disaster work in just a little over a year.
We have cooked and served 6411 meals as of May 15. Don Hudson (our director of Evangelism) has conducted Bible studies with approximately 75 people. His wife, Rosemary, is our no. 1 helper with our food ministry.
We are now set up at the Western Hills Church of Christ in Nashville. We have committed to this church and to Lipscomb University that we will keep our resources here helping at least thru June 5th. The need is great as the repair and clean up efforts will go on for many months.
We need your help to be able to continue feeding the families affected and the volunteers that are helping them. Our only funding is what our brothers, sisters and churches provide. No amount is too small to help. $50 will provide a good meal to 40 people! Below is what we need from you:
Your prayers
Volunteers
Donations for food and expenses
This is also a great teaching opportunity for your children and teens. They can literally help “feed the hungry” by working on their own fundraising project (car wash, bake sale, etc.) and using to proceeds to help us buy food to keep this work going.
Donation information to your right----------------->
We have cooked and served 6411 meals as of May 15. Don Hudson (our director of Evangelism) has conducted Bible studies with approximately 75 people. His wife, Rosemary, is our no. 1 helper with our food ministry.
We are now set up at the Western Hills Church of Christ in Nashville. We have committed to this church and to Lipscomb University that we will keep our resources here helping at least thru June 5th. The need is great as the repair and clean up efforts will go on for many months.
We need your help to be able to continue feeding the families affected and the volunteers that are helping them. Our only funding is what our brothers, sisters and churches provide. No amount is too small to help. $50 will provide a good meal to 40 people! Below is what we need from you:
Your prayers
Volunteers
Donations for food and expenses
This is also a great teaching opportunity for your children and teens. They can literally help “feed the hungry” by working on their own fundraising project (car wash, bake sale, etc.) and using to proceeds to help us buy food to keep this work going.
Donation information to your right----------------->
On Sunday we did 129 meals. It started raining Saturday night and continued for almost 24 hours so Sunday was a bad day for working. Also they took away the big
diesel generator that I was using for the mobile headquarters and the ovens. Electrician tried to hook me up outside the church but was unable to do so. That meant we had to take everything form the mobile headquarters in to the church kitchen including the ovens. My favorit job moving everything:):):)
diesel generator that I was using for the mobile headquarters and the ovens. Electrician tried to hook me up outside the church but was unable to do so. That meant we had to take everything form the mobile headquarters in to the church kitchen including the ovens. My favorit job moving everything:):):)
Saturday, May 15, 2010
301 Meals Today
Photo below is Don & Rosemary Hudson, Dave Neal(Somerset CoC, in Ohio) and local volunteers from Western Hills and Granny White CoC. They are the crew for the day
helping prepare meals.
helping prepare meals.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Volunteers needed
We are now setup at Western Hills Church of Christ in Nashville. We are going to be cooking for
volunteers and the community in need. Volunteers are needed for food prep. and to go out with
work crews to work on houses. Jeff Wilson from Lipscomb University is coordinating the work
crews to go out in the community. You can can split a group if you want , some can go out and
some can stay to help with food prep. Below is the contact information. Arrangements have been
made with Lipscomb for volunteers to stay in their dorms.
We still are in need of funds to purchase food and supplies.
To work on houses contact:
Jeff Wilson
Lipscomb University
615-293-0409 cell
jeff.wilson@lipscomb.edu
615-966-6056
To help with food prep contact me
Mike Baumgartner
Disaster Assistance CoC
281-881-1876
disasterassistance@gmail.com
volunteers and the community in need. Volunteers are needed for food prep. and to go out with
work crews to work on houses. Jeff Wilson from Lipscomb University is coordinating the work
crews to go out in the community. You can can split a group if you want , some can go out and
some can stay to help with food prep. Below is the contact information. Arrangements have been
made with Lipscomb for volunteers to stay in their dorms.
We still are in need of funds to purchase food and supplies.
To work on houses contact:
Jeff Wilson
Lipscomb University
615-293-0409 cell
jeff.wilson@lipscomb.edu
615-966-6056
To help with food prep contact me
Mike Baumgartner
Disaster Assistance CoC
281-881-1876
disasterassistance@gmail.com
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Just a quick update. We are still here at Antioch Church of Christ. We served 876 meals today and are
cooking 900 tomorrow. Than tomorrow night we are moving to the Western Hills Church of Christ and
setting up there. From there we are getting volunteer students from Lipscomb University to help us with
meals. Services International will be based in the same parking lot. They clean up and restore homes.
They will have 200-300 volunteers weekdays and 1000-1500 on the weekend. We are going to be
serving them and other families lunches. As I said we will be arriving there Friday night and will need to
have 1000 meals ready for lunch on Saturday. We will be based there from 3 weeks to 3 months. Many
different churches in the area are helping us take out meals also the police department is picking up meals
and taking them out with them to the needed areas.
If anyone would like to volunteer for a day, week or more just let me know.
I am sure all of you know that funds are always needed to cover our mission expenses. The information for
making a donation is on our website www.disasterassistancecoc.com
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, ..." Matt. 25:35
Please pass this information on to anyone who might be able to help our efforts to feed hungry people. Please pray for the thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by disasters and for us as we show the love of the Lord to them by just providing a simple meal.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tennessee Flooding
We arrived at the Antioch Church of Christ late this afternoon. Had a meeting with the church leaders and than off to Sams. We are planning to cook 1000 meals tomorrow.
Monday, May 3, 2010
On our way to Tennessee
We arrived in Yazoo City, MS, less than 24 hours after the tornado struck on April 24 and have been serving lunches each day since then. We have just been contacted by Antioch Church of Christ in Antioch, TN. They would like to have our assistance in helping the surrounding areas affected by flooding. So we will be finishing up here in Yazoo City, MS tomorrow and heading to Antioch tomorrow night to start cooking meals and helping in other areas on Wednesday. The Yazoo City Church of Christ is now set up to handle volunteers and they have food and other supplies to hand out. This afternoon our ministry partner Don Hudson (minister of the church in Howell, TN) will be reviewing with the church leaders the 30 people he has been doing Bible studies with with so they can do the follow up.
Our mission needs 3 things to continue to operate
1- Your Prayers
2- Volunteers
3- Funds
We can continue to do this work of feeding hungry people whose lives have been devastated by disasters only with the financial support of our brothers and sisters across the U.S. We came to Yazoo City on faith and very little funds because the need was there. Right now we are cooking on fumes and we need your help. Donations may be made via our website: www.disasterassistancecoc.com OR
Make checks payable to and mail to: Disaster Assistance CoC
c/o Antioch Church of Christ
2142 Antioch Pike
Antioch, TN 37013
OR
Disaster Assistance CoC
c/o Lake Jackson Church of Christ
402 Center Way St
Lake Jackson, TX, 77566
Any help you can give us will be greatly appreciated. We will gladly put you in touch with people we have worked with in the past and they will be glad to answer any questions you may have about our ministry.
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, ..." Matt. 25:35
Please pass this information on to anyone who might be able to help our efforts to feed hungry people. Please pray for the thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by diasters and for us as we show the love of the Lord to them by just providing a simple meal.
Our mission needs 3 things to continue to operate
1- Your Prayers
2- Volunteers
3- Funds
We can continue to do this work of feeding hungry people whose lives have been devastated by disasters only with the financial support of our brothers and sisters across the U.S. We came to Yazoo City on faith and very little funds because the need was there. Right now we are cooking on fumes and we need your help. Donations may be made via our website: www.disasterassistancecoc.com OR
Make checks payable to and mail to: Disaster Assistance CoC
c/o Antioch Church of Christ
2142 Antioch Pike
Antioch, TN 37013
OR
Disaster Assistance CoC
c/o Lake Jackson Church of Christ
402 Center Way St
Lake Jackson, TX, 77566
Any help you can give us will be greatly appreciated. We will gladly put you in touch with people we have worked with in the past and they will be glad to answer any questions you may have about our ministry.
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, ..." Matt. 25:35
Please pass this information on to anyone who might be able to help our efforts to feed hungry people. Please pray for the thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by diasters and for us as we show the love of the Lord to them by just providing a simple meal.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
We are in touch with our contacts in TN. who are keeping an eye on the flooding for us.
If needed we will head there when we are finished here in Yazoo City.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Photos below were taken by Carol Ogle, Royce & Carol came over to Yazoo City today to help us prepare and deliver meals.
Royce and Carol are from White's Ferry Road Church of Chirst
From Royce Ogle's Blog
Food for Yazoo City Posted on April 30, 2010 by Royce Hurricanes make the national news on TV for about two or three days and then some sleazy political type, film star, or pro athlete captures the headlines. Meanwhile the recovery from a twister like the one that spun its way through Yazoo City, MS and further north of Jackson takes a long time.
At once, good hearted people of all stripes begin at once to see what they can do to help. Volunteers start driving in, linemen, and other tradesmen show up to do the work that only they can do. And, everyone of them needs a good hot meal each day.
Then there are the citizens whose homes left the county in a matter of a few seconds and they are left with nothing but memories of what home used to be and little hope for what home will be and all of them need at least one hot meal each day.
One of those volunteers who makes a radical difference is one Mike Baumgardner. Since Hurricane Ike, if a storm hits Mike is on the scene pronto! Carol and I met Mike in Galvaston. He and some volunteers were serving hundreds of hot meals to anyone who needed them. In the humid summer heat, for hours every day they unloaded trucks, prepared, cooked, and boxed food and served it. And, that is exactly what he is doing now. He told me yesterday that he is serving about 300 meals per day and could do 1,000 if he had the funds.
Mike needs help in a big way!
Anyone who has been to the grocery store recently knows that food is not cheap. In addition to the cost of the food there is the expense of operating the motorhome/kitchen, running a generator, and…., well, you get the picture.
Only God knows how much of his own money Mike has spent feeding people over the past several months but he can’t do any more. On his website at http://disasterassistancecoc.com/index.html There is a PayPal button if you want to help this worthwhile ministry. Every dollar donated will be used to help feed the hungry.
Speaking of feeding the hungry, Mike’s associates are Evangelist Don Hudson and his wife Rosemary. Don delivers food and then gives the bread of life! Don seeks every opportunity to share Christ with those who are ready to listen. What a team! Who was it in the Bible that cared for the needs of body and soul? Hmm….Oh, that was Jesus!
Please help out if you can. Visit Disasterassistancecoc.com site and help feed the hungry in Yazoo City.
Carol and I are planning on driving over to help serve lunch on Saturday. Come by and say hi if you are in the area. Mike is set up and the corner of E. Broadway and Hwy 49 at an abandoned car dealership.
Thanks in advance for your prayers and support.
For Him,
Royce
At once, good hearted people of all stripes begin at once to see what they can do to help. Volunteers start driving in, linemen, and other tradesmen show up to do the work that only they can do. And, everyone of them needs a good hot meal each day.
Then there are the citizens whose homes left the county in a matter of a few seconds and they are left with nothing but memories of what home used to be and little hope for what home will be and all of them need at least one hot meal each day.
One of those volunteers who makes a radical difference is one Mike Baumgardner. Since Hurricane Ike, if a storm hits Mike is on the scene pronto! Carol and I met Mike in Galvaston. He and some volunteers were serving hundreds of hot meals to anyone who needed them. In the humid summer heat, for hours every day they unloaded trucks, prepared, cooked, and boxed food and served it. And, that is exactly what he is doing now. He told me yesterday that he is serving about 300 meals per day and could do 1,000 if he had the funds.
Mike needs help in a big way!
Anyone who has been to the grocery store recently knows that food is not cheap. In addition to the cost of the food there is the expense of operating the motorhome/kitchen, running a generator, and…., well, you get the picture.
Only God knows how much of his own money Mike has spent feeding people over the past several months but he can’t do any more. On his website at http://disasterassistancecoc.com/index.html There is a PayPal button if you want to help this worthwhile ministry. Every dollar donated will be used to help feed the hungry.
Speaking of feeding the hungry, Mike’s associates are Evangelist Don Hudson and his wife Rosemary. Don delivers food and then gives the bread of life! Don seeks every opportunity to share Christ with those who are ready to listen. What a team! Who was it in the Bible that cared for the needs of body and soul? Hmm….Oh, that was Jesus!
Please help out if you can. Visit Disasterassistancecoc.com site and help feed the hungry in Yazoo City.
Carol and I are planning on driving over to help serve lunch on Saturday. Come by and say hi if you are in the area. Mike is set up and the corner of E. Broadway and Hwy 49 at an abandoned car dealership.
Thanks in advance for your prayers and support.
For Him,
Royce
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Arrived at Yazoo City Church of Christ
We are already serving lunches and taking them out into other areas. The church had some damage to roof. The parking lot is full of ele utility trucks putting up new lines. I have photos but my connection here is very bad will upload photos later.
Saturday Storms
Severe storms sent tornadoes across the state Saturday afternoon, killing at least 10. But Yazoo County was the epicenter of the wreckage. Four people died and at least 31 were injured in the county north of Jackson.
The tornado that hit the county around Yazoo City at noon left a swath of damage miles long, reducing churches, businesses and homes to splinters. The tornado moved northeast across the state, causing damage in several other counties. Five people were killed in Choctaw County; another died in Holmes County.
The wounded were taken by ambulance to area hospitals and at least two were airlifted by helicopter to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
State highway patrolmen blocked the highway into Yazoo City allowing access only to residents. And the Mississippi National Guard deployed 40 guardsmen to the city to prevent looting and help with damage assessment.
Throughout residential neighborhoods, officials and volunteers with chainsaws cut away trees that still blocked roads so rescue workers could continue searching properties into the night.
"We still have people trapped in houses and cars," Gov. Haley Barbour said during an impromptu press conference in front of the Ribeye's Steak and Seafood, a demolished restaurant.
The governor became teary describing the damage done to his hometown.
"This was enormous. It reminds me of (Hurricane) Katrina," he said.
Barbour declared 17 counties to be in a state of emergency and toured the damaged areas in a National Guard helicopter, said Jeff Rent, spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The tornado that hit the county around Yazoo City at noon left a swath of damage miles long, reducing churches, businesses and homes to splinters. The tornado moved northeast across the state, causing damage in several other counties. Five people were killed in Choctaw County; another died in Holmes County.
The wounded were taken by ambulance to area hospitals and at least two were airlifted by helicopter to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
State highway patrolmen blocked the highway into Yazoo City allowing access only to residents. And the Mississippi National Guard deployed 40 guardsmen to the city to prevent looting and help with damage assessment.
Throughout residential neighborhoods, officials and volunteers with chainsaws cut away trees that still blocked roads so rescue workers could continue searching properties into the night.
"We still have people trapped in houses and cars," Gov. Haley Barbour said during an impromptu press conference in front of the Ribeye's Steak and Seafood, a demolished restaurant.
The governor became teary describing the damage done to his hometown.
"This was enormous. It reminds me of (Hurricane) Katrina," he said.
Barbour declared 17 counties to be in a state of emergency and toured the damaged areas in a National Guard helicopter, said Jeff Rent, spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Mississippi Tornado
Hi Everyone
As soon as I finish unhooking power and filling up water tank, I will be in the mobile
headquarters headed towards Mississippi. Sounds like there has been extensive
damage there. I have talked to Meadowbrook Church of Christ in Jackson Ms and
they tell me that the roads are blocked to Yazoo City except for police and emergency
vehicles. I should be there tomorrow to access the needs and go to work.
Our funds are very low. We need your help to purchase food and supplies to help our
neighbors in Mississippi.
As soon as I finish unhooking power and filling up water tank, I will be in the mobile
headquarters headed towards Mississippi. Sounds like there has been extensive
damage there. I have talked to Meadowbrook Church of Christ in Jackson Ms and
they tell me that the roads are blocked to Yazoo City except for police and emergency
vehicles. I should be there tomorrow to access the needs and go to work.
Our funds are very low. We need your help to purchase food and supplies to help our
neighbors in Mississippi.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2010 Hurricane Season
The Atlantic basin could be in for an above-average hurricane season this year with four major hurricanes forecast to develop in the region, according to forecasters at Colorado State University.
The forecast team of William Gray, who has led the forecast team for 27 years, and Phil Klotzbach, lead forecaster on the university hurricane forecast team, released their predictions for the 2010 hurricane season, running June 1 to Nov. 30.
The team predicts 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic. Eight are expected to become hurricanes, and four will develop into major hurricanes—Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of 111 mph or more.
“We expect current moderate El Nino conditions to transition to neutral conditions by this year’s hurricane season,” Mr. Klotzbach said in a statement. “The dissipating El Nino, along with the expected anomalously warm Atlantic ocean sea surface temperatures, will lead to favorable dynamic and thermodynamic conditions for hurricane formation and intensification.”
Mr. Gray said the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline “is 69 percent compared with the last-century average of 52 percent. While patterns may change before the start of hurricane season, we believe current conditions warrant concern for an above-average season.”
The team said current weather conditions have a number of similarities to early April conditions that preceded the hurricane years of 1958, 1966, 1969, 1998 and 2005. All five of these seasons had above-average activity, especially the seasons of 1969, 1998 and 2005, the team said.
The team predicts tropical cyclone activity in 2010 will be 160 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2009 witnessed tropical cyclone activity that was about 70 percent of the average season.
The hurricane forecast team’s probabilities for a major hurricane making landfall on U.S. soil are as follows:
• A 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula (the long-term average is 31 percent).
• A 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville (the long-term average is 30 percent).
• A 58 percent chance of a major hurricane tracking into the Caribbean (the long-term average is 42 percent).
The team said it will issue forecast updates on June 2 and Aug. 4.
The forecast team of William Gray, who has led the forecast team for 27 years, and Phil Klotzbach, lead forecaster on the university hurricane forecast team, released their predictions for the 2010 hurricane season, running June 1 to Nov. 30.
The team predicts 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic. Eight are expected to become hurricanes, and four will develop into major hurricanes—Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of 111 mph or more.
“We expect current moderate El Nino conditions to transition to neutral conditions by this year’s hurricane season,” Mr. Klotzbach said in a statement. “The dissipating El Nino, along with the expected anomalously warm Atlantic ocean sea surface temperatures, will lead to favorable dynamic and thermodynamic conditions for hurricane formation and intensification.”
Mr. Gray said the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline “is 69 percent compared with the last-century average of 52 percent. While patterns may change before the start of hurricane season, we believe current conditions warrant concern for an above-average season.”
The team said current weather conditions have a number of similarities to early April conditions that preceded the hurricane years of 1958, 1966, 1969, 1998 and 2005. All five of these seasons had above-average activity, especially the seasons of 1969, 1998 and 2005, the team said.
The team predicts tropical cyclone activity in 2010 will be 160 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2009 witnessed tropical cyclone activity that was about 70 percent of the average season.
The hurricane forecast team’s probabilities for a major hurricane making landfall on U.S. soil are as follows:
• A 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula (the long-term average is 31 percent).
• A 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville (the long-term average is 30 percent).
• A 58 percent chance of a major hurricane tracking into the Caribbean (the long-term average is 42 percent).
The team said it will issue forecast updates on June 2 and Aug. 4.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Had a great 3 days at Lake Jackson, TX Church of Christ. Wed night had 60+ for dinner than a very good meeting with the Elders. I have arrived in El Campo, TX. Going to a crawfish cook at one of the Elders home tonight and a BBQ Easter party at another one of the Elders tomorrow. Will keep you updated.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Lake Jackson Church of Christ
From the Tulsa Workshop I came on down to Texas. My first stop was Lake Jackson CoC. I arrived here Sunday afternoon and attended services with them that evening. I will be cooking them one of our Disaster meals Wednesday before service than have a meeting with the Elders after the meal. On Thursday I will be heading to El Campo. I will be there about a week. Jane and Judy's family have a lake with rv hookup. They have invited me to stay there and have Easter with them and than cook our Disaster meal and speak at the El Campo Church of Christ the following Wednesday. I plan on spending the month of April here in Texas visiting some of the churches that worked with us during Ike.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
We are now preparing for the 2010 storm season(floods, tornados and hurricanes) below is the hurricane prediction for this year
The hurricane season forecast from Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project predicts above-average activity in the Atlantic for 2010 beginning June 1st.
The 2010 hurricane season is predicted to be more active than the average for the 1950-2000 seasons. The December 2009 report estimates approximately 11-16 named storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes occurring during the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which is more typical of years in an active era, such as the 1995 season.
The forecast utilizes a statistical methodology derived from 58 years of past data and climate-related global and regional predictors. The effects of El Nino or La Nina also have an impact on the frequency of hurricanes. El Nino creates warmer water, and stronger winds that rip tropical depressions apart before they become tropical storms or hurricanes. La Nina creates cooler water, resulting in more hurricanes. Based on these facts, it is forecasted that El Nino conditions now in effect will weaken.
Importance of Hurricane Season Forecasts
The early forecast for the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season issued in December can be seen as a good estimate of future storm activity. The scientists at Colorado State University are hesitant to release actual storm number predictions until April 2010. Yet, this December 2009 report aims to “satisfy the curiosity of the general public and to bring attention to the hurricane problem.” This is the 27th year that the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project has released a hurricane season forecast.
Due to the fact that previous December forecasts have yet to show a satisfactory forecast skill, the December reports only issue a range of numbers and an assessment of current conditions. This assessment provides the background for the forecast in determining the likely conditions for Atlantic basin tropical cyclone presence. The specific numbers will not be issued until early April 2010.
New Statistical Forecasts More Accurate
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project scientists state that “we have yet to demonstrate real-time forecast skill for our early December forecasts that have been issued for the last 18 years”. However, the team is now utilizing a new statistical forecast methodology for our early December predictions, in hopes of increasing the skill and accuracy of the report.
The 2010 hurricane season is predicted to be more active than the average for the 1950-2000 seasons. The December 2009 report estimates approximately 11-16 named storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes occurring during the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which is more typical of years in an active era, such as the 1995 season.
The forecast utilizes a statistical methodology derived from 58 years of past data and climate-related global and regional predictors. The effects of El Nino or La Nina also have an impact on the frequency of hurricanes. El Nino creates warmer water, and stronger winds that rip tropical depressions apart before they become tropical storms or hurricanes. La Nina creates cooler water, resulting in more hurricanes. Based on these facts, it is forecasted that El Nino conditions now in effect will weaken.
Importance of Hurricane Season Forecasts
The early forecast for the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season issued in December can be seen as a good estimate of future storm activity. The scientists at Colorado State University are hesitant to release actual storm number predictions until April 2010. Yet, this December 2009 report aims to “satisfy the curiosity of the general public and to bring attention to the hurricane problem.” This is the 27th year that the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project has released a hurricane season forecast.
Due to the fact that previous December forecasts have yet to show a satisfactory forecast skill, the December reports only issue a range of numbers and an assessment of current conditions. This assessment provides the background for the forecast in determining the likely conditions for Atlantic basin tropical cyclone presence. The specific numbers will not be issued until early April 2010.
New Statistical Forecasts More Accurate
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project scientists state that “we have yet to demonstrate real-time forecast skill for our early December forecasts that have been issued for the last 18 years”. However, the team is now utilizing a new statistical forecast methodology for our early December predictions, in hopes of increasing the skill and accuracy of the report.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Haiti Update From WFRRM
Dave Heath I think I know why I am here. I Made another connection with to 2 more hospitals and 2 orphanages. They care for the wounded orphans after the Milo hospital gets done with the critical care portion. They need food so we will provide. Got a pilot to pick up beans in the DR for $50.00 a bag and they will arrive today. Th...at is a $17.00 savings per bag. "I AM" is making it all happen among the NGO's we are talking and networking like I have never seen happen before. I put This new girl in touch with another hospital and they needed beds and the other hospital had them. Wow I would have never thought like this before. While typing this a nurse came up and asked me if I do food and I said yes. She said she is leaving and has some anitbiotics to give away. All the sudden one of the doctors I know came by and I introduced them to each other and he was looking for anitbiotics. Gee what acoincidence - RIGHT!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
WFR Relief Ministries's Notes
Report from Jean Elmera in Port au Prince:Share
Today at 12:08pm
In the midst of every disaster, God's redemptive plan is at work even though it is usually hard to see it. Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes do not hinder His saving work but rather the opposite is often true. An encouraging report of good news comes from our brother and World Radio speaker Jean Elmira from Port au Prince, Haiti.
He reports an intensified hunger for God after the tragedy. Large crowds are attending worship in an abandoned Catholic church across the street from the building that was destroyed. On Feb 6th fourteen people were baptized including a Pentecostal minister and radio station owner. With funds provided by caring people all over the world, WFR Relief has provided food and water to Bro. Elmira and his helpers. They are providing two hot meals to dozens of people every day and trying to encourage the people the best they can. They have also given out food boxes to nearly 500 people.
The church building in Port au Prince and the Delmas Christian school were reduced to rubble, but faithful Christians are serving and ministering. They hope to soon have the 470 students back to their studies under tents until a permanent place can be found. Brother Elmira stated: “ People are looking more and more to the church for help and advice .
We appreciate your prayers and support which enable us to lift our hands and to lift up Christ’s name in times like these . Our message: the Church of Christ indestructible. The church is not a building. When this building was destroyed, we know God has a better plan.
Today at 12:08pm
In the midst of every disaster, God's redemptive plan is at work even though it is usually hard to see it. Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes do not hinder His saving work but rather the opposite is often true. An encouraging report of good news comes from our brother and World Radio speaker Jean Elmira from Port au Prince, Haiti.
He reports an intensified hunger for God after the tragedy. Large crowds are attending worship in an abandoned Catholic church across the street from the building that was destroyed. On Feb 6th fourteen people were baptized including a Pentecostal minister and radio station owner. With funds provided by caring people all over the world, WFR Relief has provided food and water to Bro. Elmira and his helpers. They are providing two hot meals to dozens of people every day and trying to encourage the people the best they can. They have also given out food boxes to nearly 500 people.
The church building in Port au Prince and the Delmas Christian school were reduced to rubble, but faithful Christians are serving and ministering. They hope to soon have the 470 students back to their studies under tents until a permanent place can be found. Brother Elmira stated: “ People are looking more and more to the church for help and advice .
We appreciate your prayers and support which enable us to lift our hands and to lift up Christ’s name in times like these . Our message: the Church of Christ indestructible. The church is not a building. When this building was destroyed, we know God has a better plan.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Latest from WFRM
Some things David wanted to share:
He has made coordination with the military, UNICEF, & USAID for Healing Hands at the airport in Port au Prince (PAP so that any church groups coming into PAP will have all the food & water, etc. for their missions that they need. It is set up so that Lucner Pierre, Jean Elmyra, and Debbie Vanderbeek know where to enter the airport and meet with these officials.
Sad news – the largest church of Christ in PAP has been crushed and there are a reported 50 buried bodies. He was able to speak with Lester Holt (NBC TV) today and implored him to move someone in to help that area.
Regarding the earthquake today – he felt something but thought it was a large truck going down the road.
In the short time he’s been in PAP he says it’s been both better and worse than can be imagined. Better in that he’s seen not a shred of violence of any kind (of course it’s there but it’s certainly not widespread) but worse devastation than you can even gain from watching the TV shows.
Take care and keep them in your prayers and even more keep the Haitian people in your prayers.
God bless,
Maxine Heath
He has made coordination with the military, UNICEF, & USAID for Healing Hands at the airport in Port au Prince (PAP so that any church groups coming into PAP will have all the food & water, etc. for their missions that they need. It is set up so that Lucner Pierre, Jean Elmyra, and Debbie Vanderbeek know where to enter the airport and meet with these officials.
Sad news – the largest church of Christ in PAP has been crushed and there are a reported 50 buried bodies. He was able to speak with Lester Holt (NBC TV) today and implored him to move someone in to help that area.
Regarding the earthquake today – he felt something but thought it was a large truck going down the road.
In the short time he’s been in PAP he says it’s been both better and worse than can be imagined. Better in that he’s seen not a shred of violence of any kind (of course it’s there but it’s certainly not widespread) but worse devastation than you can even gain from watching the TV shows.
Take care and keep them in your prayers and even more keep the Haitian people in your prayers.
God bless,
Maxine Heath
Friday, January 29, 2010
January 25th: On friday, Healing Hands Internatiional shipped out our first container of aid to Haiti. This container included items such as blankets, water filters, medical supplies, shoes and tents.
The team of Healing Hands representatives (Steve Church, Harry Hames, Lynn Griffith, and Greg Beeson) are on their way to Haiti today. Their efforts will be coordinated by Roberta Edwards of Son Light orphanage. HHI has made a commitment to drill 30 - 50 water wells in Haiti later this year. Nashville, Metro public schools and also Maury County, TN schools have begun an area wide food drive to collect rice and beans for Haiti. These items will be shipped through Healing Hands. This update taken from Healing Hands International website www.hhi.org.
The team of Healing Hands representatives (Steve Church, Harry Hames, Lynn Griffith, and Greg Beeson) are on their way to Haiti today. Their efforts will be coordinated by Roberta Edwards of Son Light orphanage. HHI has made a commitment to drill 30 - 50 water wells in Haiti later this year. Nashville, Metro public schools and also Maury County, TN schools have begun an area wide food drive to collect rice and beans for Haiti. These items will be shipped through Healing Hands. This update taken from Healing Hands International website www.hhi.org.
Damou Christian Mission in Haiti
(Tina Eisenhower)
January 27, 2010
Today Dad and I went to the school and worked for a little while in the morning. Then we decided to go to town and visit the camps that people are staying at who lost their homes. I could not handle it. I kept looking away so Dad would not see me cry. People made little shelters out of cloth. People were begging Dad and I to help them. I just had a hard time seeing the children suffer. We watched them unload a food truck. Dad and I continued walking thru the camp and talking to people and I heard a little voice saying “Blan, Blan” (which means foreigner) I turned around and a little girl about 3 years old was running towards me with her hands out stretched and 2 little boys about the same age were right behind her. One smacked Dad on the rear. I bent down to talk to the children and one of the little boys placed his hand on my cheek and rubbed it gently. Both he and the little girl had the biggest smiles on their faces. I thought to myself if these children can be happy in their horrible circumstances I must not cry, I must find a way to help them. Dad and I then finished our tour and went to the second camp.
As Dad and I waked thru the camp I could hear some little children crying and others were running around playing. I was appalled at the conditions. This camp was worse than the other one. One lady begged me to take her 2 little children (3 yr old girl, and 5 yr old boy). She said her husband had been killed in the quake and they had lost everything but the clothes on their backs. Another family was letting them sleep under their make shift shelter. I thought that was amazing. I told her I couldn’t because she would never see her children again. She told me that if I didn’t take them they would die a slow death. She could not take care of them. I looked at the little boy and he had a nasty gash on his forehead. It needed stitches. She had no money to get him stitched up. I made sure he got the medical treatment he needed. She followed me to the jeep and kept begging me to take them. I told her she would have to sign before a judge and the mayor (thinking she would walk away) and she said let’s go. I told her to think about it and I would be back on Friday. I made sure she had food for her children.
Around 11:00 a.m. and Dad and I headed for a community in the mountains called Cape Rouge. We took food up to the mountain people. They were so appreciative and kept waving as we drove off and yelling Mesi, Mesi (thank you, thank you). I told Dad I had to return to the second camp again and show Mom and Linda. I also wanted to check on some of the people I had seen that morning. We took enough food to provide 2,160 meals. We also took empty rice sacks so the people could open them up and would not have to sleep directly on the ground. We also went and bought medicine for some of the people. They had seen Doctors who had come to the camp but they did not have all the medicine that they needed. Again, it was so overwhelming. I talked to one of the leaders over the camp and we are going to take cases of soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, and laundry soap to the camp tomorrow. I am so thankful my parents and Linda are here. Dad runs most of the errands with me while Mom and Linda take care of the children.
I have decided after talking with some people in the States and Haiti that we definitely are going to start “Damou Christian Mission Haitian Family Homes”. We will try and help as many children who have not only lost their parents but also who only have one parent and that parent is unable to take care of them. We will build small house and put 6-8 children in a home with a Christian Haitian Family. We are not doing any adoptions. Please pray about the land next to the mission house. I am going to ask the owners tomorrow if they will sell it to me. Even though it is not for sale. I know if God wants this project to work he will put it in the owners heart to sell it to me.
Well it is 11:00 p.m. so I think I will go to bed. I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.
(Tina Eisenhower)
January 27, 2010
Today Dad and I went to the school and worked for a little while in the morning. Then we decided to go to town and visit the camps that people are staying at who lost their homes. I could not handle it. I kept looking away so Dad would not see me cry. People made little shelters out of cloth. People were begging Dad and I to help them. I just had a hard time seeing the children suffer. We watched them unload a food truck. Dad and I continued walking thru the camp and talking to people and I heard a little voice saying “Blan, Blan” (which means foreigner) I turned around and a little girl about 3 years old was running towards me with her hands out stretched and 2 little boys about the same age were right behind her. One smacked Dad on the rear. I bent down to talk to the children and one of the little boys placed his hand on my cheek and rubbed it gently. Both he and the little girl had the biggest smiles on their faces. I thought to myself if these children can be happy in their horrible circumstances I must not cry, I must find a way to help them. Dad and I then finished our tour and went to the second camp.
As Dad and I waked thru the camp I could hear some little children crying and others were running around playing. I was appalled at the conditions. This camp was worse than the other one. One lady begged me to take her 2 little children (3 yr old girl, and 5 yr old boy). She said her husband had been killed in the quake and they had lost everything but the clothes on their backs. Another family was letting them sleep under their make shift shelter. I thought that was amazing. I told her I couldn’t because she would never see her children again. She told me that if I didn’t take them they would die a slow death. She could not take care of them. I looked at the little boy and he had a nasty gash on his forehead. It needed stitches. She had no money to get him stitched up. I made sure he got the medical treatment he needed. She followed me to the jeep and kept begging me to take them. I told her she would have to sign before a judge and the mayor (thinking she would walk away) and she said let’s go. I told her to think about it and I would be back on Friday. I made sure she had food for her children.
Around 11:00 a.m. and Dad and I headed for a community in the mountains called Cape Rouge. We took food up to the mountain people. They were so appreciative and kept waving as we drove off and yelling Mesi, Mesi (thank you, thank you). I told Dad I had to return to the second camp again and show Mom and Linda. I also wanted to check on some of the people I had seen that morning. We took enough food to provide 2,160 meals. We also took empty rice sacks so the people could open them up and would not have to sleep directly on the ground. We also went and bought medicine for some of the people. They had seen Doctors who had come to the camp but they did not have all the medicine that they needed. Again, it was so overwhelming. I talked to one of the leaders over the camp and we are going to take cases of soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, and laundry soap to the camp tomorrow. I am so thankful my parents and Linda are here. Dad runs most of the errands with me while Mom and Linda take care of the children.
I have decided after talking with some people in the States and Haiti that we definitely are going to start “Damou Christian Mission Haitian Family Homes”. We will try and help as many children who have not only lost their parents but also who only have one parent and that parent is unable to take care of them. We will build small house and put 6-8 children in a home with a Christian Haitian Family. We are not doing any adoptions. Please pray about the land next to the mission house. I am going to ask the owners tomorrow if they will sell it to me. Even though it is not for sale. I know if God wants this project to work he will put it in the owners heart to sell it to me.
Well it is 11:00 p.m. so I think I will go to bed. I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The human suffering of the Haitian people is unimaginable. Physical pain, hunger, grief, fear, hopelessness, helplessness are everyday realities....But God is using WRF Relief and others to bring hope, compassion, Christian love, food, and medical attention to many. Keep praying for the WFR Relief and Healing Hands Int'l
Thursday, January 21, 2010
WFR Relief Ministries Ben and David traveled back up to Cap Haitien where they are setting up the command center. The port is very valuable and the airport is far less busy than Port au Prince. Things are going very well. Food and medical supplies are priority one. Thanks for your giving and prayers. (Royce)
*January 20, 2010 -Report from Ben Adkins & David Heath, WFR Relief Damage Assessment Team:
Some things David wanted me to share:
Don, especially for you—he said that he has made coordination with the military, UNICEF, & USAID for Healing Hands at the airport in Port au Prince (PAP so that any church groups coming into PAP will have all the food & water, etc. for their missions that they need. It is set up so that Lucner Pierre, Jean Elmyra, and Debbie Vanderbeek know where to enter the airport and meet with these officials.
Sad news – the largest church of Christ in PAP has been crushed and there are a reported 50 buried bodies. He was able to speak with Lester Holt (NBC TV) today and implored him to move someone in to help that area.
Regarding the earthquake today – he felt something but thought it was a large truck going down the road.
In the short time he’s been in PAP he says it’s been both better and worse than can be imagined. Better in that he’s seen not a shred of violence of any kind (of course it’s there but it’s certainly not widespread) but worse devastation than you can even gain from watching the TV shows.
Take care and keep them in your prayers and even more keep the Haitian people in your prayers.
God bless,
Maxine Heath
Some things David wanted me to share:
Don, especially for you—he said that he has made coordination with the military, UNICEF, & USAID for Healing Hands at the airport in Port au Prince (PAP so that any church groups coming into PAP will have all the food & water, etc. for their missions that they need. It is set up so that Lucner Pierre, Jean Elmyra, and Debbie Vanderbeek know where to enter the airport and meet with these officials.
Sad news – the largest church of Christ in PAP has been crushed and there are a reported 50 buried bodies. He was able to speak with Lester Holt (NBC TV) today and implored him to move someone in to help that area.
Regarding the earthquake today – he felt something but thought it was a large truck going down the road.
In the short time he’s been in PAP he says it’s been both better and worse than can be imagined. Better in that he’s seen not a shred of violence of any kind (of course it’s there but it’s certainly not widespread) but worse devastation than you can even gain from watching the TV shows.
Take care and keep them in your prayers and even more keep the Haitian people in your prayers.
God bless,
Maxine Heath
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
WFR Relief Ministries The phones here at home base in West Monroe have been busy with generous people calling for any news and saying they are sending funds to help. In the field Ben and David are busy putting infrastructure in place for distribution of food and medical supplies and communications. They are loving the people, sharing the Word, and giving hope. Keep praying!( Royce )
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Update from WRF on Haiti
Relief work in Haiti will be a long term effort. It takes a lot of time and effort to set up a control center, establish a distribution network, acquire goods and food stuffs, all in a place with no phones and where chaos has become the norm. Ben and David are bringing hope to the people there and doing everything ...humanly possible to get help to the hurting as quickly as possible.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
New Update from David and Ben in Haiti
We visited the hospital tonight..........not a nice scene. One mother holding a twin whose brother was crushed and killed. A man getting a blood transfusion. a leg amputation........... there is no anesthesia or pain killer. limited bags of saline. terrible
Just in from Haiti
From Dave and Ben. We are doing very good and without problems so far. It is warm and humid. We are staying at a hotel that is nice and comfortable. We have electricity and internet most of the time. There are refugees starting to come into the city where we are and this will most likely cause future issues.
Update form Haiti
Call was received from Ben in Haiti this morning. They arrived safely at Cap Haitian where World Radio speaker Lucner Pierre met them. They were able to rent a 4 wheel drive truck and will be making their way to Port au Prince today.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Ben and Dave boarding plane for Haiti
I am sure most of you have heard of the terrible disaster that has happen in Haiti. We would like to provide you a way to help these families get food and necessary supplies. We have had people who want to donate but want to make sure there funds are going to a mission that actually does disaster assistance work. So we decided to oversee this program. As of right now we are working with a congeration that has already sent two men there. Fortunately they were able to get on one of the few planes being allowed to land. They should be landing around noon today. Please pray for their safety. Their names are Ben Adkins and David Heath.
I am sure most of you have heard of the terrible disaster that has happen in Haiti. We would like to provide you a way to help these families get food and necessary supplies. We have had people who want to donate but want to make sure there funds are going to a mission that actually does disaster assistance work. So we decided to oversee this program. As of right now we are working with a congeration that has already sent two men there. Fortunately they were able to get on one of the few planes being allowed to land. They should be landing around noon today. Please pray for their safety. Their names are Ben Adkins and David Heath.
AID NEEDED IN HAITI CRISIS
Donations are needed for medical and basic supplies. We will oversee getting these supplies there thru the proper agencies.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The good news is there is no disaster work that we need to be doing at this time. We are taking this time to continue updating and adding to our email contact list and other administration work that nees to be done. You can visit our new web site at
www.disasterassistancecoc.com or for past mission works visit mikesmissionupdates.blogspot.com
www.disasterassistancecoc.com or for past mission works visit mikesmissionupdates.blogspot.com
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