Slidell Update:
Christian Church of Slidell Update
In Slidell we have helped a couple people so far with flood damage. There are many more to be helped. A good thing would be for volunteers to go to the neighborhood south of the church building and ask if any of them need help. I guarantee most of them do. All have been flooded and there is also tree damage there. I still do not know the situation of many of the members there. Many are elderly and probably will need help. I spoke with one who has moved to Connecticut to live with relatives. His company has given him a job there and he will not be coming back. Pray that the Lord will send new workers for His harvest in the Gulf Coast states. The hurricane has literally opened windows of opportunity for evangelism and to demonstrate God's Love.
Men from Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and West Virginia were here and made a lot of people very happy. These men (angels) were truly amazing. They cleaned trees from at least 15 yards and would hardly stop to eat or sleep. Some had many large trees down. Some still had big trees on roofs of houses. One of the men got our refrigerator/freezer back into operation and rigged up the aerator on our septic system. Also got generators going at Slidell church so there could be power and water for cleanup there. A special thanks to Kevin and his big WonderValley tree eatin tractor from the camp in Salem, In. Kevin estimates he moved enough trees to have built 24 Habitat Houses. Anybody out there want to set up a portable sawmill. Seems such a waste of good lumber to cut up all these trees and take them to the landfill.
The Crossroads Christian Church in Arlington Texas sent over two busloads of men. They worked eight hours and accomplished much. Especially notable was the mucking out of the Slidell Church building. Those men were able to remove all of the damaged sheetrock from the lower 4-6 feet of the walls. The elder/minister of the church, Bill Read, is there today putting Chlorox on the studs.
View images of Crossroads Christian Church working to repair the Christian Church of Slidell
View additional pictures taken by the crew from Crossroads Christian Church on their website
Many thanks to the crews that were here this week: Monett (Missouri), Mason (Ohio), Erwin (Tennessee) and Williamson (West Virginia).
These 162 folks have accomplished an amazing amount of good. And not just the physical removal of trees from property, but the invitations to church, good will among our neighbors and the consideration that all must ponder: Why do these good people give their time and money to help total strangers - and they get to tell them and demonstrate to them the Love of God. (Like we all feel when we realize what God has done for us through His Son - thank you is not good enough; we want to tell others and demonstrate our gratitude by the lives we live.)
If you want to send money, the Slidell Church will need it to get the necessary chairs, etc to get back up and running. We will be preparing a list of needs as we receive them. We haven't been able to scout out all the folks in Slidell yet; if any of you know of people there and you want us to check on them, please give me their addresses, phone etc.
If you want to come please coordinate with Joe if you want to stay in our building. If you are self sufficient and want to help people you can come to any Gulf Coast town and knock on some doors and you will find people who need a helping hand. We have started at our church member houses and are going to neighbors. Now we are starting to see them come to us.
There is no amount of money that can accomplish the good will and PR for our Lord that people helping people accomplishes. People are seeing the government pass out forms to fill out (and that help is needed) but they see Christians helping people. It's an awesome and wonderful thing.
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