Update

[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!