Motorcycle vs. Parked Car

After two weeks of managing a shelter and the volunteers associated with it, I thought I was going to be kicking back relaxing, studying for my bible studies and finishing any paper work concerning the shelter.
God had other plans. . . Yesterday there was a motorcycle vs. parked car accident in Modesto, the rider did not fair well in the accident. So far by the grace of God he is still alive today. For several hours yesterday I sat with the family and prayed for him to be stabilized. I was fortunate to be there. Helping the son who had never prayed before to lift up his voice to God for intervention(my word). His tear filled voice begged God for forgiveness and pleaded for his father's life. Wording the prayer for the wife of 28 years who was speechless and worried that life as she has known it had changed, was a blessing for me.
My prayer today, thank you God for placing me in Modesto to minister to the hurting people in this community. Father energize me to do your work your way today. Father let me bring Jesus to new places today.

In His Name,

Amen


Go make a difference today for God,

Buddy

DR 406 scaling down, Shelter Closed and Trailers out by the end of the day. . .

DR 406-06( the Red Cross number for this disaster) is scaling down. Early next week the effort will revert back to our local services group. The shelter and the people assocoated with it have found homes in new places. Two weeks ago many of their homes took in 3 ft of water. Today they have moved to new places throughout the county. I am glad that we have the infrastructure to absorb them into new places. This disaster was different for me in a lot of ways. This time instead of being a follower I was asked to lead. What a difference it makes when you know the decisions you make impact nearly every aspect of dozens of families. I believe I will be less critical of leaders in disaster in the future.
Lots of Good things happened for God during this effort: Preaching at the shelter; discussions with an admitted athesist; discussions with a person who is spiritual yet not yet convinced about God; discussions with a man who was raised in the COC but worshipped alcohol for many years. He is coming to church this weekend at Davis Park; discussions with a woman who is still controlled by all that is carnal in this world, but miserable because she has had a relationship with Jesus in the past; discussions with a Christian couple who have struggled this year with personal illness and the death of many loved ones. All of these people I would have never met had I not been involved in Disaster Relief.
Today I pulled the Community Response Trailer home. It looked good being used on the site. I am glad that we have a tool like that to use. The trailer provided an area for inventory that we used for feeding. Over 5000 meals were served from the inventory kept safe in the trailer. Additionally the Generator from the trailer provided electricity for 3 families for two weeks. It was referred to as God's generator on the project.
This closes out this project for now unless I remember something else that is important.

Go and make a difference for God today!

Buddy

Shelter To Start Closing

The Patterson Shelter will close this Saturday. I have grown accustom to the drive and the long hours of shelter work. I am not sure what lies ahead for the folks at the shelter, all I know is they have to find something by Saturday. Even though they are a tough group to work with, I still hurt for them. Life as they knew it changed two weeks ago. They were comfortable making ends meet and squeaking by, now they face uncertain times in new places to live, if they can find something they can afford. The Red Cross will help with first months rent and deposit, which for the first few has been around $2000.oo. It costs alot to live here even in the rural communities. Next month they have to figure out how to pay the rent on their limited incomes. Tommorrow I will go encourage the remaining families (30) to find a new home, tonite I pray for them and for God to give me more compassion as I work with them.
In addition to the shelter clients, I manage a large diverse group of volunteers. So far I have had over 100 volunteers work around the shelter. By the end of the Sheltering in Patterson we will have served over 5000 meals and snacks. I am constantly reminded that all ministry is intentional, rarely does service to others happen by accident. I thank God for all the willing people who have put time in to make life easier for someone in need.

Its late, I'm sleepy

more tommorrow,

Buddy

Newman flood - Central Valley Flooding

The shelter reamins open today with a population of 42. The water is not receeding very quickly. The residents of the shelter want to go home. We want them to be able to go home. I continue to run this operation by the seat of my pants, but we have volunteers for sheltering and feeding coming in from around the state to help. I was allowed to have a worship service on Easter Sunday. We also had an easter egg hunt on Saturday :) Trying to make the best of a bad situation is what its all about. I will blog more this week.

make a difference for God

Buddy

Newman Flood Continues

The Disaster Relief work continues in Newman California. Presently we have 82 registered at the shelter at Orestimbe High School. In the parking lot we had as many as 17 trailers at one point. Additionally we are kenneling 21 animals, 15 dogs and six cats. Presntly we have four of our team working on this project. Wayne and Sheila are helping in the feeding area, Christie Sipes is working in the Medical Services Area, I am heading up the Mass Care Team. It is really strange to be doing "real" relief work only 30 minutes from home. Friday night we(Davis Park) will be cooking the evening meal for the shelter residents. It is an exciting service opportunity, an exciting opportunity to do what Jesus wants us to do. Any one who can spare a day, night or evening let me know on my cell phone. 380-3851. We have been asked to have an easter religious service for the shelter, plus provide and easter dinner. What a great day to help others see Christ living in you.

Buddy

Newman Shelter Continues

The waters have not receded tonite. The Newman shelter is still operating 24 hours a day. Presently we have 65 residents, many of whom are sleeping in there travel trailers. The Red Cross is partnering with the Salvation Army for feeding operations. Presently we are serving a 100 meals per meal. The people of Newman have responded well to the needs of those presently displaced. I will post more about this tomorrow. If you can help call me at 380-3851

Buddy

Newman Shelter Opened . . .

The San Joaquin River has left its banks just outside of Modesto near River Rd. just outside of Newman, CA. Presently folks living in trailers in fishcamps are the ones who have been evacuated, approximately 100 dwellings. Tonight the Newman shelter has 15 residents inside the gym and about twenty five in trailers outside. It appears the shelter will be open throughout the weekend. The Red Cross will be providing 24 hour care throughout this natural event.
If you would like to volunteer to help please call me, 380-3851.

Red Cross Alert Recieved At 2:00 pm today

Stanislaus County Flood Alert

The Stanislaus office is on flood alert for the next seven days.

If you are available to help with possible aid,
Please contact the office as soon as possible.

523-6451


The American Red Cross has been placed on alert this afternoon by the Stanislaus County Emergency Management Office. Many of the Rivers are presently at or near flood stage additional rains in the watershed areas could create problems in our county. If you need any additional information on this situation please contact me.

Flooding in the Central Valley

The American Red Cross has asked us to help staff a shelter in Oakdale tonite, 4-4-06. They are presently operating shelters in Merced and Oakdale. I do not have a lot of details, the Oakdale scenario seems minor at this time, Merced however seems to be quite extensive. If you can help let me know, this is an opportunity for us to bring God's light to the shelter.

If you can help contact me at 380-3851 or call the American Red Cross at 523-6451.


Buddy

Family Promise final update(maybe) for this cycle

Since the domestic event of the other everything has been quiet. The families still with us have been quite talkitive since the event. Both of the women left in the program have been abused by their spouses and had to flee previous situations. Both women ask to come to church with their familes this morning, what a great honor, to have them visit our Sunday school and services this morning. This morning with Mike out of town I get to preach. I am preaching storm texts today and tonite. Texts where people are in bad situations and Jesus is the only way out. That's where we all stand in life. Confused, confounded and hurt by what the world offers and Jesus waiting for us to ask for His help.
The Families move on today to another church, I hope they bumped into Jesus here at Davis Park. I know I have seen him at work here this week through all the volunteers who worked on this project.

make a difference for Him today

Buddy