Next Step STORM

[Editor's Note: This article was originally published 2011/05/09]

Hey Ya’ll!

We are currently looking at options to best serve tornado victims in Alabama. There is a lot of commotion right now and the areas are flooded with volunteers, (Sam’s Purse had over 3000 volunteers registered last week) many of them not connected with any organization; they just want to help. The issue is that if volunteers go without being organized in some fashion, precious time can be wasted, and resources are not utilized or distributed in an effective and efficient manner. I met one large organization (Convoy of Hope) who was passing out water as fast as they could. There were people who came with water on their own and couldn’t get rid of it; saw that COH was passing out water, so they gave COH their water. By the end of the day, COH had more water than they started with! We saw cases of water everywhere, on everyone’s porches, and they were even leaving them at the outhouses. There is plenty of food and water.

My family and I started doing disaster relief in Gulfport, MS 4 yrs ago and after 2 yrs, moved to New Orleans to do the same; helping rebuild lives and homes devastated by Katrina. The roles we served were as director and project manager, and April 30th was the last day of our commitment here. (Coincidence?) Last weekend, I traveled to Alabama to assess the situation left by the tornadoes. My heart was drawn once again to the victims as I surveyed the splintered landscape and talked with survivors. How anyone could survive when there isn’t a building product left in its constructed place is beyond me. WAY beyond my pay grade other than recognizing the providence of God! To be able to talk to the survivors and hear their stories just days after the storm was both disheartening and awe inspiring.
 
We started receiving calls from people wanting to donate resources 2 days after the tornadoes touched down. We are supported as missionaries by donors, many of whom attend our home church, Woodburn Missionary. WMC has agreed to set up a disaster relief fund as we assess where the Lord would have us go; possibly setting up another volunteer camp to work with the local Long Term Recovery Coalition (LTRC) to rebuild homes of those that don’t have the wherewithal to accomplish the task on their own.
 
As we seek to identify the tornado victim’s needs, we must also assess the feasibility of a long term commitment. IF there is enough interest, our part would be to help in the coordination of volunteers by setting up a camp that would utilize volunteers in the reconstruction of lives and homes after a major disaster.

You can help by joining us in prayer as we seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance. Ask that He distinguishes HIS voice from the flesh’s and gives discernment in “sorting it all out”.

Check out the guy in the blue shirt (below) and where he and his family survived the tornado. His name is Van Farr, and the lady in black is his sister, standing where they all huddled together through the storm. There is nothing left! He said he was an epileptic and started to seize when he realized what had happened. The neighbors came over and shook them all out of it and they watched the tornado’s backside as it continued it’s path of destruction through the area.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Please don’t assume anything. We love to hear from you!

[Editor's Note: This article was originally published 2011/05/04]

Hey Ya’ll!

Just got back yesterday from AL Tornadoes. We assessed the damage in Cullman, Birmingham, Pratt City, Tuscaloosa, Hueytown, Concord, Gieger……just to name a few of the affected areas. There were 312 Tornadoes in 24 hrs, a record, so you can’t imagine the damage. We talked to numerous survivors (amazed that there were ANY in some of the splintered, shredded, flattened areas) and I’ll try to get back to that in a later email and also share some photos. We just wanted to give you a quick update for now.

There is plenty of water and food for people in the devastated areas. Volunteers and neighbors have responded overwhelmingly; the coordination of those volunteers is what is lacking. Samaritan’s Purse had 1000 volunteers show up Sunday which is a bit much even for them. It would be nice if we could stretch the initial response out and make it last past the next big news event. It does show that Americans do have big hearts, and even in a poor economy people give of themselves to help those in need! VERY REFRESHING!

So the question is, what can we/you do?  First of all, continue to remember the families affected in your prayers. If there is anything left of a house, they are afraid to leave for fear of looting (though there is a large force of Army, National Guard, and Police on the ground). For those that the house is gone, that the right agencies would connect with them to provide the basics of life; food, water, hygiene, roof, bed. And for all of them, ask the Lord for comfort and peace of mind. I met a guy Monday who said he hadn’t slept since last Tuesday. When he closed his eyes, he would relive it.

Second is probably a given. You are probably receiving this because you VOLUNTEER. Volunteer through a coordinated effort and agency. If you just show up, chances are, you will waste time that could be used to help others.  And remember: it’s not about the projects, it’s about the people. The projects are just a platform to people’s lives; to share the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Lastly…..What would you do, if in a matter of minutes, everything you own is destroyed? Where would you go, sleep, eat, if those immediately around you were in the same condition? You obviously can’t go to work if it’s still open for business. You have no car, shower, toilet, toothpaste….. Are you connected to a body of believers that would come to the rescue? What if you lost your life in a second, because you really don’t know when it’s your turn….. Are you connected to the Savior? Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the FATHER except through ME”. GET CONNECTED and be prepared!

Thank you for the prayers!
In Jesus Name,
Monte

BTW- Feel free to forward to anyone you feel would be interested. If you know of someone who wants to be on the emailing list, have them send us an email. Please don’t ask us to add someone else. We won’t add anyone unless they make the request personally.

[Editor's Note: This article was originally published 2011/04/30.]

Update to Supporters-

More later……I am leaving now; heading into the areas affected by the tornadoes this past week. Please pray for wisdom and direction and the Lord’s leading. Pray for a location if it be His will. We have received numerous calls in regards to helping tornado victims. This is an overwhelming task and of course the usual mass confusion of all the different agencies responding. We’ve got to get better at this disaster stuff! Not being an alarmist, just a good reminder that every day is a step closer to the Lord coming back to establish His Kingdom with us and give the enemy the final boot! Praise to the Almighty El Shaddai!

Ask the Lord for divine appointments…….
                                                         ……… and that he’ll be with the family here at home.

In Christ! ~monte