Today’s blog is a combined effort of the entire team pictured here. Be blessed!
The mission of the Assessment Team (The Street Walkers) is to canvas the D’Iberville area to ensure that no person needing assistance falls through the cracks. This is the final assessment as the DVF plans to close May 31, 2008. We traveled two by two to offer assistance, to listen, to give hope,to encourage, to hug and occasionally pray with the people we met. Two of our group stay at camp to do follow-up phone assessments to determine if there are still repairs to be done or if their file can be closed.
Some of the people who have needs are: Vera, who is suffering from cancer; Debra, who needed food immediately for her family; Mike, who has many health problems and still needs plumbling, mildew removal and drywall replacement; Joan, an elderly woman who told how she lost everything and spent the storm night with 600 other handicapped people sleeping on a concrete floor; Dwight lost his home and all his musical equipment; Jason, who watched the storm surge explode two neighbors’ homes and wash them into his, knocking it off its foundation; Deanna & Ed who lost everything in Hurricane Camille and then lost it all again in Hurricane Katrina, including 3 members of their immediate family who have died in 2007.
Members of the assessors team are Mary Winters, Linda Blakely, Prudy Young, Kyle Skarada, Sally Early, Cindi Boyer, Shirley Clark, Ellen Lawrence, Betty Grunstra and Sue Brickell. PLANTING SEEDS of HOPE….We will hold God’s people in our hearts.
The Kiski crews are working so hard that they’ll finish many of their jobs tomorrow, so we’re scrambling to arrange new job assignments by contacting property owners, assessing the work needed, ascertaining whether materials are on hand or need to be purchased, and whether Thursday and/or Friday will be convenient for the owners to allow the volunteers on site to do the work.
Halloween in D’Iberville means “Trunk or Treat” in the park. It began in October 2005, two months after Katrina, with many streets still clogged by debris and without streetlights. A few folks decided to provide some normalcy for kids by setting up a safe place for trick-or-treating. They advertised it as best they could, decorated the open trunks of their cars or beds of their pickup trucks, and parked side by side. To their surprise, other folks also came with candy mobiles. They hoped to get maybe 50 kids, but over 2500 people showed up! Someone had been inspired to bring a truckload of candy, a genuine miracle, because otherwise they’d have run out in the first 5 minutes. Trunk or Treat has become a D’Iberville tradition, and we were invited to help distribute the Volunteers Foundation’s candy. Two carloads went over, and Irv Lindsay and Jack Loucks really got into the spirit of it, greeting each and every child who came by with great enthusiasm!
We go to bed exhausted this evening but filled with the assurance that God’s Spirit continues to give us the strength and joy to carry on.
Debbie McCanna said,
November 1, 2007 @ 10:49 am
Thanks for all the great work you’re doing. The Trunk or Treat story will be East Brady’s Minute for Mission this Sunday! Blessings are upon you, and our prayers are with you!
Donna Doutt said,
November 1, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Hello to all my friends out there! I’m reading with interest your daily adventures. I only wish I was there with you! Blessings to all of you. These time you spend working and meeting this people will make a difference for their lifetime.
Matt Jones said,
November 1, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
The “Trunk or Treat” story brought me to my knees. The thought of such devastation, debris everywhere, folks shocked by the utter destruction of their homes and in some cases the loss of life… and still their hearts, minds, and arms went out to Jesus’ favorites… the children… chokes me up. How wonderful that it has continued!
And how wonderful that all of you have sacrificed your time, talents, and in many cases treasure, to reach out in love and compassion to help others. You are all in our prayers daily, for your safety, your strength, and the uplifting of your spirits.
You are indeed the heart and hands of God. May your days and nights be filled with blessings!
Boyd Edmondson said,
November 2, 2007 @ 8:50 am
Forgive a bit of theologizing by this pastor, but here is a quote I came across recently from Philip Yancey (one of my favorite authors): “In my own travels overseas, I have noticed a striking difference in the wording of prayers. When difficulties come, Christians in affluent countries tend to pray, ‘Lord, take this trial away from us!’ I have heard persecuted Christians and some who live in very poor countries pray instead, ‘Lord, give us the strength to bear this trial.’”
Obviously God did not deliver these dear people from this terrible trial. But you all, through your love and hard work, are helping them to get through this ordeal. What you have done and are doing will make an eternal difference. May God bless you! You continue to have my greatest respect. God is at work through you; caring for His people. We are upholding you in our prayers. Keep up the good work!
First Presby said,
November 2, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
This entry illustrates so clearly that yours is truly a mission that puts the people first, not the program. The stories have touched us all and we continue to pray for you and those whose lives you are impacting! : )