State of the Union (and then some)

Our plan at this time is to continue work here in Birmingham but with our eyes open. That meaning that we are open to changes in our plan. The very nature of what we (YOU and us together) do, helping others in storm situations of life and weather events, dictates that we remain open to movement at the Holy Spirits leading. As far as projects here in B'ham, we are overwhelmed with work at this time, both tornado and inner city. We're the only outside group that remains. NOW, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! We're asking for those that find it in their heart to organize a team to come and serve the good folks of B'ham! Anyone can do it. It just takes a willing heart. Call or email us and we'll walk you through it!
We can't help but notice, the farther away from Katrina we get, the fewer the volunteers. In the Hope City years, on the beach in Gulfport, MS, it was 24/7 non-stop running. (Being on the beach may have had something to do with it :)  The "condition" is the same across the nation it seems; probably a combination of things. Some of which I don't even think of. We (volunteers) are probably a lil burnt out on disasters and there are so many, maybe we're stretched a lil thin. The economy probably has something to do with it also as peeps are having to be concerned with keeping a roof over their own heads. And there are so many "options" out there these days.......Anyway, all that to say that we continue to look for volunteers and are finding we have to be more intentional about seeking them out. Any volunteer marketers out there?  ;)
Birmingham has been a struggle all along in bureaucracy and politics with the Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC).The LTRC is always set up locally after a federally declared disaster to control duplication of benefits (to those affected by the disaster). Basically, this where the caseworkers, material funders, and construction partners sit at a table and collaborate. NSS is a construction partner and this is where we go to get funding for materials on projects that have been case-worked. Caseworkers get all the pertinent info from clients and pre-approve them. They make sure the client meets the requirements of securing assistance, or fall within the scope of the disaster assistance. As a construction partner, we're constantly juggling between having enough volunteers to complete projects and having enough work for the volunteers coming in and matching the projects to the skills of the group. Let me just say, I find this to be an impossible task but give God the glory cuz He does a perfect job of supplying all our needs. He consistently does perfect match work! AND I am constantly amazed at the body of Christ at work and what we can do in unity!
A perfect example of this was how we started out the New Year. We had a great group of youth from Rebel Ministries in camp over New Year week. We had a family that needed some work that included a roof tear-off, siding, flooring, door replacement, drywall repairs.... This is tornado damage from April 2011 and the family with 4 kids has been living in the home since, doing what they can and living with what they have. An odd concept I know.... anyway, the Rebels completed the roof but we didn't want to start the siding because we didn't have a group scheduled the following week that could complete it. And because the group completed the roof quicker than I anticipated, I was wondering what we would do next. Not worried, mind you, cuz I have experience with the Lord coming through, just wondering. It was about that time that I got a call from Christian Service Mission (a local partner and part of the body unified that I was talking about above). They asked if I would help them run a crew of volunteers next week? Uhhh, let me think about it.....YYYYESSSss! We then started the siding with the Rebels and got to finish it the next week with a wonderful group from Redeemer Lutheran Church, Damascus, MD! God is good! You know, I heard somewhere ;) that "He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches"!