Ike Response Planning going full steam ahead . . .

The team is just about set for our response to the Texas Gulf Coast. We will leave on 17 and then all arrive back in Modesto at various times until Oct 26, 2008. We are excited about this trip. Pray that we can touch lives and souls . . . Pray for COC Disaster Relief Team here us the most recent update. Octhttp://disasterresponseteam.blogspot.com/2008/09/we-see-it-taste-it-smell-it-and-yet.html I am in Austin TX on vacation. I will be posting every day. I hope to run over to Bridge City on Thursday. More later

Buddy

Fireproof The Movie

Fireproof the movie is now in theaters across America. It is a great movie about the redemption of God and the power it brings to peoples lives. In this movie Kirk Cameron does a wonderful job of potraying the fireman who is trying to show his love for wife and family through working hard at his job. This is one great movie. Join us today at the the Brendan Theater downtown Modesto. We have purchased all the tickets for the 440 pm showing come and be our guest.

Buddy

Family Promise Hosting . . .

Our hosting week is just about over for this cycle. It has been a good effort with 9 individuals from 3 families being hosted. Our Church is awesome in that the people really enjoy living here for the week. We have a reputation for our hospitality, thank you to all who have helped in some way.

Buddy

Ike Response Info . . .

After Sunday morning services at Davis Park Church of Christ there will be an informal meeting of those interested in going on the relief trip. The meeting should last less than 1/2 hour. I have talked to the COC DRT and there is much work to be done. I can not wait to hit the ground running in Texas.

Ike Response Info Outlined. . .

Ike Response
Partnering With Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Team
Golden Triangle Area of Texas
Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange
Galveston (possibly)
October 17-26, 2008

Workers Needed for:

Kitchen Help

Mucking Houses

Chain Saw Work

Demolition

Assessors

Distribution

Distributing tools to volunteers, etc.

Office Help

Financial Assistance Needed:

Budget Condition

Money Not Available

Special contribution

Do not want to harm future contributions (rob Peter to pay Paul)

October 5, 2008
Money raised through this special contribution will go for transportation of individuals to the Storm ravaged area, transportation for workers, food for workers.
Cost per person will average $700.00

Ike Response Trip Date Set . . .

The Community Response Team is recruiting team members for a trip to the Texas coast. We will leave Modesto on Oct 17 and return Oct 26. These dates are approximate and fluid, but we believe this will be the best time for us to make the trip. Most infrastructure issues should be taken care of by that time and the area should be somewhat safer for us to work. We will try to make the trip similar to the Katrina Trip in that we will try to work with individual homeowners to clean up and get them on the road to recovery. We have not pinpointed where our work camp will be at this time but the area we are prayerfully targeting is Galveston County. There will be a special contribution to help fund this trip on Oct. 5. We will be detailing the costs of the trip on Sunday to help us better understand the scope of the project.

Ike Response . . .

Dr. Glen called and asked me if we were going to deploy to Texas. I want to deploy, I just don't know where we would do the most good. Pray, for God to give us direction on the best way to help. We are still looking and assessing the situation. With Katrina I spent the first few weeks in LA(Lousianna) right after the storm. This time I am far removed, however, I know God has plans for His glory to be seen in this storm. Anyone, interested in deploying for Ike Disaster Relief can let me know by responding in the comments section or by calling the church office at 209-522-7226.

waiting to hear from God,

Buddy

Ike hits Texas Coast . . .

The peak of the hurricane season is upon us and to know one's suprise Ike hit the Texas coast head-on. Right now I am not sure how to respond. We have decided not to deploy with the Red Cross. Usually we would take advantage of their generosity that allows me to go and volunteer somewhere in the disaster. We have decided to take a wait and see approach to this storm. We have several response projects locally that are coming to fruit in the next few week. Our Family promise week is coming up and we have our Fireproof event also before us in two weeks. If the situation calls for us to deploy, we will. As of this moment we will wait and see where the need arises from the largest storm to hit the coast in 50 years. FYI, we heard from Oleta that Christi has deployed with the Red Cross and is staging in Fort Worth with a few thousands of her friends :)

Fireproof the Movie . . .

We have stepped out on faith one more time and purchased a theater showing. We have purchased the 4:40 time slot on Saturday afternoon. Now is the time to start inviting friends, family, and neighbors to this movie. This movie is concerned with a couple who is having relational problems and the resolution/solution that they use to make their marriage work. I believe this movie is good for all couples to see (together). Start praying for this outreach event, and for the people you are inviting. More about the movie later.

Gustav. . .

As of this moment we are not planning any response to the Gulf Coast. We will watch, wait and see what happens in the coming days. The storm proved to be somewhat predictable while being unpredictable at the same time. The major response needed at the moment is shelter workers. I can only imagine the contolled chaos of housing and caring for all the people taken away from there homes by planes trains and buses. My hats off to our local Red Cross folks who waded into the shelters in various states to help those in need.
Now we wait and see, what Hanna, Ike and posibly Josephine have in store. Pray for those who have a disaster looming over them in the coming days.