Grace Community Church in Howard County Times

Howard County Times ran a brief piece on KatrinaGrace.

KatrinaZone Team III is On!

We currently have 6 people flying down to Trinity Church in Covington using donated frequent flyer miles on Monday 10 October and then returning on Thursday 13 October!

We have 4 slots left; if you are interested in going, please email Beth Shields.

UPDATE: We've spoken with someone at Enterprise Corporate and have also gotten up to 5 rental cars (hopefully trucks) to use for our Team.


image courtesy of freefoto.com

KatrinaZone Team III

We are planning our third trip to the KatrinaZone. If you would be available to leave on Monday 10 October and return on Friday 14 October, please email Beth Shields at beth.shields@gmail.com

If you would be interested in being a Team Leader for this trip, please let Beth know.

The KatrinaGrace Remote Reconnaissance Project

We're looking for volunteers to make phone calls.

Someone has just donated to KatrinaGrace the use of an 18 Wheeler and a driver to take supplies to the KatrinaZone. In partnership with Trinity Church, KatrinaGrace wishes to identify and contact Katrina Victim Relief Centers (Red Cross or not, official or not) that are within a 45 mile or so radius of Covington, LA, which is where Trinity is located.

We're soliciting volunteers to join The KatrinaGrace Remote Reconnaissance Team that would call Area Churches that fit this geographical criteria. Click here to see that list (many thanks to KatrinaGrace Leadership Team member Johnny Long who let us know about Google's powerful local search capabilities that enabled us to develop this list in seconds). We would be asking these churches

• Are you aware of any Katrina Relief Centers in your community?
• Do you have any contact information - names and/or phone numbers - for those Centers or individuals working there?

Then the Team would contact these Centers and ask them what they need for us to bring.

If you would like to volunteer to make these calls, please email Peter Moulton, who is the Project Lead, at peter_moulton@yahoo.com.

Peter will be

• assigning different volunteers to contact various cities (we don't want to call the same place 2x) -
  
• then compiling the information into one document for the KatrinaGrace Leadership Team. The document should have
  
  
• name of the Relief Center
• the address
  
• City
• State
• Individual(s) working there
• phone number(s)
  
• Any organizational affiliation (Red Cross, church, etc)
  
• how long they intend to be operating, if they know

We are aiming to send the truck down in mid-October.

We are also exploring the idea of sending folks down to do local on the ground reconnaissance to identify specific individuals or communities that need assistance.

Thanks!

image courtest of freefoto.com

New Update from Trinity's Michael Sprague

Covington, LA's Trinity Church's pastor Michael Sprague has posted a new update.

Helping a Local Katrina Evacuee Family

Hi, everybody.

Just went and delivered the $250 Walmart card to Trinell Goodlee and her two kids, who stayed in a number of shelters In Louisiana for 15 days, before finally coming up to Maryland. They are living in Odenton temporarily.

Trinell told me how horrible the shelters were, how scary and how one had an entire section of a warehouse labeled "lost kids." Apparently, rescue teams took children but not their parents out of the Katrina zone.

Trinell is a licensed nurse -- and quite a comedienne, too -- who worked in hospice care before New Orleans got clobbered. She has applied for a job up here, but everyone's asking for references, none of which exist now, because everyone in New Orleans is gone, and the only possible connection Trinell has is cell phone numbers, many of which don't work. If you know of a good nursing job that's available, please email me, and I'll give you her phone number.

Need still very much exists in all of this recovery effort. Thanks for your continuing support, prayers, and involvement. You guys are awesome.

Beth Shields :o

We are working now on planning future trips to Covington, LA. Stay tuned.

image from stock.xchng

Rita - Katrina Emergency Prayer Meeting TONIGHT

At 2 p.m. ET, Rita was centered about 190 miles (305 kilometers) southeast of Galveston, Texas, and 175 miles (281 kilometers) southeast of Port Arthur. It was moving to the northwest at about 10 mph (16 kph).

The storm's maximum sustained winds weakened slightly to 125 mph (201 kph), making it a Category 3 storm.

"We still think that the storm will make landfall on the upper Texas coast, potentially as far east as southwestern, Louisiana," said Ed Rappaport, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center.

But he said that the storm could still shift south toward the Galveston/Houston area.

• full CNN Story
  
• Wikipedia on Rita
  

Everyone is invited to meet with us at 7 PM TONIGHT in Room 100 at Grace Community Church to pray about the Katrina and Rita situations.


image from noaa

Local Katrina Assistance

Some folks (including Beth) are helping Katrina Survivors this AM in an East Baltimore Center. We'll post their experience here.

We also are providing financial assistance for a family in Anne Arundel County.

If you happen to find a Howard County Katrina Evacuee, you can send them here for assistance.

We've also added this to the Links on the right hand side of this page.


image from freefoto

New Michael Sprague Update

I finished a meeting on how we would operationally continue our “Free Store.” We were discussing the supply process and as soon as the meeting was over, a woman we helped with food the day before walked in with God’s answer – a Christian group who will drop off supplies daily. Yea, God. (Note: Pray for our “Free Store.” There is a steady flow of traffic all day long. As folks fill up a box, they tell their story. After three minutes they start to cry. Life is so overwhelming. Yesterday, I helped a woman who lost her home totally and her business. Her 3 and 5 year old grandchildren are missing. She was at Trinity Sunday and has moved in with one of our families. She is making Trinity her home church. Pray for Michelle but realize there are thousands of Michelles.

from Trinity's Michael Sprague new pastoral letter that was posted today

The "free store" that Michael mentions is the warehouse that KatrinaZone Teams I and II have been bringing supplies to and then taking material from to deliver to various locations around the area. Nichole Tiede just shared with us that the material Grace donated last week increased the warehouses supplies by about 300%!

We hope to post pictures soon from the trip and more information about what Team II experienced in Covington.


image from freefoto

Rita and Covington, LA

Hi, everybody.

Right now, Hurricane Rita is scheduled to pummel the Gulf Coast sometime early in the a.m. on Saturday. I'm sure many of you have heard, the storm is moving toward our friends in Louisiana, and the possibility of them getting hit *twice* in one month is overwhelming to them. I've just spoken with a friend down there, Kathy Boren, and she said the sense of de ja vu is eery. They're not so much worried about trees -- they're all gone -- but losing electricity, water pressure, toilets, etc., is very real and scary for them, especially since they're just getting back on their feet. If Lake Ponchatrain gets as little as three inches of water, New Orleans and Slidell (on the opposite side of the lake) will flood again. Imagine how devastating this would be.

Please -- PLEASE -- pray for God to stop this hurricane or at least bring its power down to the level of a storm instead of a hurricane. God is the only one who can do this, and we need to ask Him to! God has done so many amazing things through this, let's just ask Him to do one more amazing thing.

Thanks to everybody for pitching in. This has been a heartening project to be a part of.

Beth Shields

Rita and Covington, LA News

We've added some newspaper websites with news from some of the cities in the general Covington, LA and North Shore area under Katrina News on the right-hand column of this site. We've also a new section for Hurricane Rita news.

We've also divided up the section into geographical subsections:

Katrina News

national sources

• Yahoo's Katrina Portal
• MSNBC's Katrina Page
• CNN's Katrina Page
• FoxNews' Katrina Page
• USA TODAY's Katrina Page
• The Baltimore Sun's Katrina Page
• The Washington Post's Katrina Page



covington, la area sources

• Covington News Banner
• Bogalusa Daily News
• The Ponchatoula Times
• Slidell Sentry-News



other louisiana sources

• New Orleans Times-Picayune
• Baton Rouge 2TheAdvocate



mississippi sources

• Mississippi Coast Area News
• Biloxi Sun Herald's Katrina Page
• Hattiesburg American (MS)
• Picayune Item (MS)
• Jackson Clarion-Ledger (MS)



hurricane rita news

• The Weather Channel's Tropical Storm Page

image from freefoto

Rita is now Category 5

Hurricane Rita is the seventeenth named storm, ninth hurricane, fifth major hurricane, and second category five hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm has already impacted Florida and Cuba, and currently threatens Texas and Louisiana. The system reached category five strength on the afternoon of September 21, 2005, the second such storm of the season to do so (the other being Hurricane Katrina) and is expected to make landfall sometime on September 24, between Galveston and Corpus Christi in Texas.

full Wikipedia article

Please keep praying.

image from Wikipedia

Pray for Folks' Protection from Hurricane Rita

Updated: 10:01 a.m. ET Sept. 21, 2005

KEY WEST, Fla. - Rita intensified into a Category 4 hurricane Wednesday with wind of 135 mph, deepening concerns that the storm could devastate coastal Texas and already-battered Louisiana by week’s end.

- full MSNBC story

Please pray for protection for folks in the Gulf Coast from Hurricane Rita.

- Wikipedia Link
- Rita Storm Tracker (NOAA)



image from Wikipedia

Trinity's Michael Sprague's Updates

I found this page on the Trinity site where Trinity's Pastor is placing his updates. And here the updates are dated.

Immediate Need for Katrina Relief Volunteers in Baltimore

KatrinaGrace has just been advised that an East Baltimore Katrina Relief Disaster Center needs folks on Thursday and Friday Morning to help feed Katrina Survivors. If you are itnerested in volunteering for this, please email me and I'll email you back the cell phone of the individual running the program so that you can find out more information.

image from freefoto

OneVoice

UPDATED:

OneVoice - a coalition of Columbia, MD Area churches - announces that on Tuesdays through October the 11th, "there will be a special time of Katrina-related prayer ... from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Family Room of Bridgeway Community Church. At the intersection of Little Patuxent Parkway and Harpers Farm Road, turn away from Howard Community College onto Harpers Farm Road and take the first right. Enter 10910 Little Patuxent, cross the lobby, and go left down a half-flight of stairs."

There will also be prayer on Tuesday Evenings at Grace Community Church in room 305 from 7 to 8 PM every Tuesday from 27 Sept to 11 Oct. Click here for directions.

Kids are welcome!

KatrinaGrace encourages participation in these events to support this Kingdom work. We need prayer support!


image from freefoto

New Update from Michael Sprague

Dear Friends,

Donna and I just returned from the town next to ours called Slidell. Maybe you have heard it mentioned on the news. We have numbers of people attend Trinity from Slidell. By phone I have interacted with a few who had their homes destroyed. The reports I was receiving were dire. However, it is one thing to hear about the devastation and another thing to see it.

We observed community after community of total loss. Imaging home after home with everything in the home piled into the front yard 8 feet high – beds, baby dolls, chairs, boats and clothes – EVERYTHING in a junk heap. Imagine this continuing mile after mile after mile. Imagine communities with signs at the entrance that read, “Come in and die!”

Donna and I both were left with headaches and feeling sick to our stomachs, totally drained. Think of what these folks are feeling. I saw New Orleans early on with miles and miles of homes underwater and that impacted me. The impact of today’s visual was far worse. I shudder to think what New Orleans will be like when hundreds of thousands of people return and will have to likewise, pitch everything they own, creating mountains of loss and misery. I know our lives do not consist of the things we possess but people are hurting. Please pray.

Now for the good news. Trinity has become a major mobilization center. Teams of workers have come in from about 15 states over the last two weeks and have been deployed to do the “Father’s” work. It is amazing the vibrancy and zeal of these servants. They have come from Evangelical Free churches and a few others. Teams are deployed to deliver food, work with our free store, cut trees, mop black mold out of homes, deliver medical supplies, and consult with hospitals, shelters, local pastors, mayors and community leaders. In the process of letting their light shine, people see the good works and glorify the Father in heaven. In the context of servanthood and love everyone asks, “Who are you?.... Why are you doing this?” The answer is the “Love of the Lord.”

A couple of stories may help you to see. For months, one man has been prayed for and has always resisted the Lord because of his involvement with the occult. He talks to ghosts. This man had a tremendous need at his home since 150 trees had fallen on his property. Our teams cut them up and helped him clean up. For the first time he allowed people to pray over him and was so emotionally moved he couldn’t talk the whole afternoon. A door is open and it was a privilege to serve him.

Another 78 year old man had to be rescued off of his rooftop from the flood waters. After a few days he returned to his home distraught and hardened. Our team helped him, showed love and he bowed his head and trusted Christ as his savior. Yea God!

The church is being the church. Opportunities are endless. One by one people are being met and helped in the name of the Lord. God is bringing beauty out of ashes. Praise His name.

Betting the farm on God,

Michael

p.s. Pray for our 10:00 am Sunday service and 11:30 a.m. lunch together as a church family. Some of our people are just returning to town and everyone needs the healing touch of the Lord. Pray for many displaced people and neighborhood people who will join us for the first time.

Click here for all of Michael's Katrina Updates.

link to Slidell Sentry-News

New News Links

I've added a number of news links under "Katrina News" from the affected areas on the right hand column of this page:

Mississippi Coast Area News

Biloxi Sun Herald's Katrina Page

New Orleans Times-Picayune

Baton Rouge 2TheAdvocate

Hattiesburg American (MS)

Picayune Item (MS)

Jackson Clarion-Ledger (MS)

The Montgomery Advertiser Katrina Page (AL)

Pensacola News Journal (FL)

image from freefoto

Metapost: Michael Sprague Updates

We thought it might be helpful to accumulate Trinity Church's Michael Sprague's published updates on the situation in Covington. Many of you know that our initial connection with Michael was that he was a pastor in our area for many years before moving to pastor a church near New Orleans, LA. All of these updates were originally made in the comments of the one post on Trinity Church's News Blog which was set up as a means for Trinity Church community members to communicate with each other. The Updates are not dated.

Reading these updates gives you a chance to hear snippets of some of the amazing events taking place in that area. We'll keep adding Sprague Updates to this metapost and we'll keep this post listed on the right hand of this page under "Important Posts."

• Michael's first Update
  
  
• Update #2
  
  
• Update #3
  
  
• Update #4
  
  
• Update #5
  
  
• Update #6
  
  
• Update #7
  
  
• Update #8
  

More Pictures of Damage from Covington, LA

More pictures of the damage around Trinity Church, in Covington, LA with which Grace Community Church in Columbia, MD is partnering in the KatrinaGrace Project.

Covington, LA was also the destination of KatrinaZone Teams I and II.

Now Over 4000 Katrina Survivors in Our Area

The number of Hurricane Katrina survivors in the Washington region has tripled since Friday, swelling to more than 4,000 through a steady flow of displaced people, according to Red Cross and local officials.

The Washington Post runs an article on Katrina Evacuees in the Washington-Baltimore Corridor (free registration required).

However, the DC Govt has announced that they are no longer accepting volunteers (they received over 10,000 requests to volunteer) at the Armory and they have all the donations they need!

So our focus continues to be on our friends down South though we are always open to better ways to connect with local evacuees.


photo by mamanance

Update from Trinity's Pastor Michael Sprague

"I got a note from a friend yesterday who was hit hard from the hurricane. His wife was living in a different city and he was here on the Northshore digging out. His words were written this way, “No Electricity but we have power! (in the Holy Spirit).” I trust you can say “Amen” from whatever the part of the country you reside, because the people of Trinity Church are experiencing this.

It’s amazing how doors of opportunity are flying open as we serve people.

1. One woman I talked to had lost three children in the last few years and now lost her home. We helped her with supplies and as I prayed that God would put her tears in a bottle as the scripture states, she wondered if God’s bottle was big enough. She needed a church home and said she would come Sunday. Another man had his wife leave him this week and he is homeless. Another woman lost everything.
2. Our “Free Store” has a constant flow of visitors. Each has a story of brokenness, hurt and perplexity. Every encounter is a chance to share Christ, food, prayer, and love. What a ministry!
3. Last night, we served a free dinner and had a powerful sharing service. The testimonies of God’s faithfulness in the midst of pain were Job-like. God’s interventions are marvelous. Work team members have been transformed. People from the neighborhood stood and expressed astonishment that total strangers would clear their lots for free. The Holy Spirit was moving powerfully. Several people confessed that they may have caused the hurricane. They had been praying for the last year that revival would come to Trinity Church and New Orleans….they prayed “God, whatever it takes”….after observing the last week they were convinced the revival had begun.
4. Imagine another set of work teams going into Slidell with buckets, mops and bleach willing to scrub out black mold that is everywhere. All kinds of people are asking “Who are you? Why are you doing this?” Of course the answer is Jesus Christ has changed their lives.
5. It’s hard to describe the joy and exuberance of Trinity folks and team members from 13 states knit together in a purpose far bigger than we can describe. Though we are weary in body, we are not weary in zeal and devotion. There is nothing more important to invest our lives in. The cause of Christ is worth it.

In closing, a thought about those who are saying this is God’s judgment of New Orleans. Someone told me this a few days ago and I’m sure many are thinking this. Far be it from me to fully know the mind of God. He is both righteous and loving. Yet in Luke 13:1—5, I find a similar train of thinking 2000 years ago. It seems Pilate killed a bunch of Galileans and 18 people were killed when the tower of Siloam fell. As usual, religious folks assumed that this calamity was God’s judgment upon the unrighteous. Jesus seems to think they had missed the point. Anyone can be killed. The worst thing in the world is not dying; it’s dying without Christ, our Savior. Jesus is saying during devastating times, “do not point the finger of condemnation at others but check your own heart.” Do you have peace with God? He, of course, is the source of that peace.

My observation is that when people throw rocks at so called sinners, those people get driven farther away. When people get loved and shown grace they are drawn to the One who saves from sin. I believe the people of New Orleans and the Northshore matter to God. I hope you do too!

Betting the farm on God,

Michael"

photo from freefoto.com

Please Talk to God About...

• Trinity Church in Covington, LA.
• Good information about the upcoming KZ Team IV visit with an 18 Wheeler. We want to be efficient and wise about its use.
  
• Wisdom for the KatrinaGrace Leadership Team as they plan next steps.
  

This post will be continually updated and always linked to on the right hand side of this page under ""Important Posts"

image from freefoto

Grace in the Storm

Beth Shields posts her thoughts about KatrinaZone Team I's trip to Covington, LA.

Grace Doctor Travels to KatrinaZone

Doug Mayo, MD - a Grace regular attender - called tonight to let us know that tomorrow morning he's flying out as a part of a State of Maryland medical mission to work with Katrina victims in the Jefferson Parish. He's joined by 6 other doctors in their efforts.

Please remember to pray for Doug and his team.

The State of Maryland's Website that summarizes Maryland efforts on behalf of Katrina comments:

The Ehrlich Administration has deployed roughly 250 medical professionals to Jefferson Parish, one of the hardest hit regions in Louisiana, to staff a school-based medical center to help victims in need.

photo from e3ashig

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

President Bush has declared today a day of National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of Katrina.

• Crosswalk Article on the Proclamation
  
• Associated Press: Many Churches Heed Bush's Call for Prayer
• from the White House: the President's remarks today at the National Cathedral

Pictures from the KatrinaZone Team I Trip 9/9-9/12

Pictures are now available from the KatrinaZone Team I Trip on 9/9 - 9/12 here. You can also view them in a slideshow here.

Team Members were

• Beth Shields
• Rob Poler
• Bill Brettschneider
• Ed Smith

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Thank you, Grace!

20050915 (7)
Originally uploaded by sshields.

Tim Siemens (left) looks over all the stuff that the Grace Community brought to support KatrinaZone Team II that left today at 7 PM to visit Trinity Church in Covington, LA.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU BROUGHT! YOU'RE AWESOME!

KatrinaZone Team II is

• Nichole Tiede - Team Co-Leader
• Chris Tiede - Team Co-Leader
• Jason Tiede
• Tony Russell
• Ryan Donaldson
• Jenny Dettner
• Mike Bonds
• Jason Dillon
• Emily

They took three large trucks and two trailers!

See more pictures here.

KatrinaZone Team II

UPDATE: There no more seats available for KatrinaZone Team II headed down to LA this weekend.

If you'd like to see the Team off and/or help them load, you can come to Grace on Thursday 15 September at 6 PM.


However, if you still wish to go in a vehicle you or someone you know can bring, email Beth. However, every vehicle needs at least 2 drivers and optimally three to kamikaze drive straight through all over 1000 miles to LA. It is a difficult and taxing trip. Moreover, you need to know that conditions on the ground there rapidly change.

We still very much need supplies however. See the post below for details.

Please pray for our Team's safety and that God would use them to bless the Katrina Survivors and those working to assist them on the ground now.


image from freefoto

We Need Stuff.

The Katrina Grace Leadership Team is sending another KatrinaZone Team to Trinity Church in Covington, LA THIS WEEKEND.

They are taking 3 full-size trucks and trailers.

We want to send them down full, so a request:

As many who can and are so inclined, could you bring to Grace by close of business Thursday the following items:

• Bottled Water
• Gatorade
• Juice Packs for Kids
• Canned Vegetables
• Bread
• Plastic Wear
• Paper Plates
• Paper Towels
• Trash Bags
• Flashlights
• Individually Packed Snack Products
• Canned Soup
• Individually Packed Cereal Boxes
• Cots
• Air Mattresses
  
• Elderly Products
• Ensure
• Depends
• Reading Glasses
  
• Toiletries
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes
• deodorant
• lotion
• shampoo
• razors
• shaving cream
• hairbrushes
• combs
• Q-tips
• toilet paper
• dental floss
• soap
  
• Baby Items
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Formula
• Baby Food
  
• Canned Protein Goods
• Tuna
• Peanut Butter
• Salmon
• Beans
• Etc.
• NO CLOTHES. (you can find out where you can drop off clothes here)

Please feel free to email this link to whoever you think might be interested in serving the Katrina Survivors near Trinity in this way.

And please pray for the safety and effectiveness of these wonderful individuals.

Important Announcement

There will be another Covington, LA Katrina Grace Trip this weekend headed by Nichole Tiede. At this time we have three trucks and three trailers that are going down. They plan to be back in the area sometime on Monday 19 Sept. We currently have 4 folks going and have open slots for for a few more, unless you can bring a truck or a car with two other drivers (they are doing what the first Covington Team called kamikaze driving down and back - no overnights).

If you are interested in going please email Beth at beth.shields@gmail.com.

First come, first serve on available seats. The group is either leaving Thursday night or Friday (the group will decide)

Later on today, we will post here what supplies are needed at Grace.

(We do anticipate future trips.)

All Mississippi towns are taken

Hi, everybody.

Just to let you know regarding the earlier Immediate Assistance post, all the Mississippi towns listed are being called to find out what they need and how their towns and outlying areas are. Still need volunteers for the Louisiana and Alabama towns. See here for the list and what we need.

Thanks so much,

Beth & Stephen Shields

Clothing

We had heard from both local and KatrinaZone authorities that they didn't want clothes because of the volume and the time and effort it takes to sort them. A member of the Grace Community, however, has let us know about somewhere where you can drop off clothes that will go to Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. WRBS and the Walk the Walk Foundation are teaming up with this church in Operation 2C8. However, they need the clothes in a certain way:

• sorted into
  
  
• men's
• women's
• children's
• baby's
  
  
• labeled as to size
  
  
• in boxes or bags
  

They will accept new clothes, of course, and they particularly need shoes.

These clothes can be dropped off at His Way Christian Bookstore in Ellicott City, MD on Rt 40. (see directions here).

There are a number of other drop-off sites in MD as well that may be more convenient for you.

They also are looking for some other items that you can find listed here.

Istrouma Baptist Church is now hosting over 600 evacuees and they also run a Distribution Center for other area Katrina Victims.


image from United States Wounded Soldier Foundation

Immediate Assistance Requested

And you can do it from home if you have a phone and a computer and some Google skills.Federal Disaster Declarations for Katrina encompassed over 90,000 square miles, an area covering almost as much area as the United Kingdom (see the Wikipedia article on Katrina for more). The Katrina Grace Team that returned early this morning reported that it's often easier for folks in the affected areas to communicate with people outside their state than with their own neighbors. There are damaged, small cities and towns that are seriously under resourced. The Trinity Church folks in Covington, LA agreed with us that it would be worth attempting to determine where those areas are and what kind of help they need. Then we can partner with Trinity to reach out to help.Moreover, a number of folks with 3 full-size trucks and trailers are interested in traveling to the Katrina Zone this weekend. Consequently, we are asking for volunteers to use Internet Search Tools (such as Google) and their telephones to find out the status of these cities, all within a 50 mile radius of Trinity:

• In Mississippi


• Bay St Louis


• Pass Christian


• Lyman


• Diberville


• Vancleave


• Lumberton


• In Louisiana


• Slidell


• Hammond


• Picayune


• Nicholson


• Bagalusa


• In Alabama


• Theodore Mon Louis


• Citronelle


• Mt Vernon


• Stacton

In these areas, we are asking volunteers to find either

• the Mayor's Office, or


• the City Hall, or


• The Chamber of Commerce, or


• the Police Station, or


• a church in that city

and then find out

• What is the status of your city?


• Are you being helped? Do you have everything you need?


• If not, what do you need now? (This needs to be as specific as possible.)


• Do you know of any specific needs in the outlying areas of your city?

Based on this information we will work with Trinity to determine our next move. We would like to gather all of this information by close of business Wed 14 September for a trip that's being organized for this weekend.If you can help with this, then let us know by emailing beth.shields@gmail.com and tell her specifically what cities you want to call. We will then post which cities have already been assigned. Please wait for a confirmation email before you make phone calls, so we are not doubling up on our efforts.This information might also be helpful for future trips.Thanks!

Michael Sprague Update #7

New Update:

I got a note from a friend yesterday who was hit hard from the hurricane. His wife was living in a different city and he was here on the Northshore digging out. His words were written this way, “No Electricity but we have power! (in the Holy Spirit).” I trust you can say “Amen” from whatever the part of the country you reside, because the people of Trinity Church are experiencing this.

It’s amazing how doors of opportunity are flying open as we serve people.

1. One woman I talked to had lost three children in the last few years and now lost her home. We helped her with supplies and as I prayed that God would put her tears in a bottle as the scripture states, she wondered if God’s bottle was big enough. She needed a church home and said she would come Sunday. Another man had his wife leave him this week and he is homeless. Another woman lost everything.
2. Our “Free Store” has a constant flow of visitors. Each has a story of brokenness, hurt and perplexity. Every encounter is a chance to share Christ, food, prayer, and love. What a ministry!
3. Last night, we served a free dinner and had a powerful sharing service. The testimonies of God’s faithfulness in the midst of pain were Job-like. God’s interventions are marvelous. Work team members have been transformed. People from the neighborhood stood and expressed astonishment that total strangers would clear their lots for free. The Holy Spirit was moving powerfully. Several people confessed that they may have caused the hurricane. They had been praying for the last year that revival would come to Trinity Church and New Orleans….they prayed “God, whatever it takes”….after observing the last week they were convinced the revival had begun.
4. Imagine another set of work teams going into Slidell with buckets, mops and bleach willing to scrub out black mold that is everywhere. All kinds of people are asking “Who are you? Why are you doing this?” Of course the answer is Jesus Christ has changed their lives.
5. It’s hard to describe the joy and exuberance of Trinity folks and team members from 13 states knit together in a purpose far bigger than we can describe. Though we are weary in body, we are not weary in zeal and devotion. There is nothing more important to invest our lives in. The cause of Christ is worth it.

In closing, a thought about those who are saying this is God’s judgment of New Orleans. Someone told me this a few days ago and I’m sure many are thinking this. Far be it from me to fully know the mind of God. He is both righteous and loving. Yet in Luke 13:1—5, I find a similar train of thinking 2000 years ago. It seems Pilate killed a bunch of Galileans and 18 people were killed when the tower of Siloam fell. As usual, religious folks assumed that this calamity was God’s judgment upon the unrighteous. Jesus seems to think they had missed the point. Anyone can be killed. The worst thing in the world is not dying; it’s dying without Christ, our Savior. Jesus is saying during devastating times, “do not point the finger of condemnation at others but check your own heart.” Do you have peace with God? He, of course, is the source of that peace.

My observation is that when people throw rocks at so called sinners, those people get driven farther away. When people get loved and shown grace they are drawn to the One who saves from sin. I believe the people of New Orleans and the Northshore matter to God. I hope you do too!

Betting the farm on God,

Michael

Trinity Church's News Blog Updates are not dated

Michael Sprague Update #6

Friends,

Here is a quick note to keep you in the loop and help you to pray specifically. Here is a sampling of the human toll interacting with folks in the last day:

1. A church family lost their house completely in Slidell. Everything is gone. Yet a couple drove their 5th wheel from Michigan and gave it to them for free. God provided. Yea God!
2. Another family lost their home. Trees destroyed it. Someone is letting them live in their home until December. Yea God!
3. An attorney lost his entire law office. The hurricane set off the sprinkler system and it rained inside the building for 2 days. The building needs to be gutted. Pray.
4. My staff helped a tough 80 year old man remove debris. He started to cry and said this was the first time in his life anyone has ever helped him for nothing.
5. One family stopped into the church after seeing our sign “Free Food, Free Water”. We helped them and then the team gathered around and prayed for a specific family need. One hour later they called and said God answered the prayer and their faith was restored.
6. One man I talked to had yet to hear if many of his New Orleans relatives survived Katrina and he was searching desperately for them
7. One Middle Eastern man wanted to know if Katrina was God’s judgment on the French Quarter and New Orleans for wickedness. This question gave me an opportunity to share the gospel of Christ.
8. One of our men had a Mexican young man show up on his property. He was lonely, disoriented and hungry. He had bicycled out of Slidell in the hurricane to escape the flood waters. He had not eaten for days and didn’t know where to go.

The list could go on and on. Everyone has a story.

Praise:

1. Power is being restored to neighborhoods immediately surrounding the church.
2. Relief teams have arrived from California, Ohio, Maryland, and Illinois. A team from North Carolina comes tomorrow. A man came from Texas to cook for the teams.
3. We had a spirit led, God honoring worship service yesterday. We rejoiced in being alive. The church is being the church – caring, loving, listening, mobilizing.

Prayer:

1. Pray for spiritual revival and renewal. God has our attention. Pray for a spirit of surrender and yieldedness to the calls of God.
2. Pray that we let our light shine in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. This happens one person at a time. As one person said, “Jesus is in us. Now He wants to come out of us.” The opportunities are endless. Last night our half dazed, hot and tired neighbors were outside. With no A/C since the hurricane they weren’t sleeping at night. After getting a generator in our bedroom, we invited them to stay in our bed and we went to another house. They were grateful.
3. Pray for my staff. Burnout is easy in these situations and we have just set up a rotation to get people out for 2 days at a time.
4. Pray for wisdom in setting up organizational structures to sustain the effort over many months.
5. Pray for our church families who have no jobs or who have jobs now in jeopardy. Pray for those who lost homes or have great damage. Pray for wisdom as schools are out and life is difficult. My guess is that over half the church is scattered throughout the south. Some people are moving out of state. Pray for wisdom.

There is so much more. Got to go. Ask the Holy Spirit to take my meager prayers and communicate them right to the Father. He will!

Betting the farm on God,

Michael

Trinity Church's News Blog Updates are not dated

Michael Sprague Update #5

Friend,

My life is being taken through an amazing turn of events. I have worked for months on a major strategic planning initiative. After months of planning, meetings, tweaking and messaging. Finally a couple of weeks ago it was unanimously approved by our leadership. A week ago God decided to blow up my plan with a hurricane named Katrina.

I think He laughed at my plan and said “I can to better.” I think He will get more accomplished by His plan. I believe He wants to accomplish great and mighty things through the road of messiness. I believe He finally has our attention in fact maybe even the nations. I choose to join His plan. Even though I don’t know the future I know the one who holds the future.

In the middle of this crisis, it is evident that everyone everywhere needs the Lord. When we fail to humble ourselves before Him or depend on His strength, He must laugh. He sure has my attention. How about you? If you don’t know Christ, trust in the one who died for you sins and rose from the dead. God loved you so much he gave his only son. If you believe in Him you will be saved, secure and full of peace with God. Stop and call on His name and He will save you. Guaranteed!

If you made a strategic life plan like me and realize God has a different path for you. Turn around. Get off the old path and on to the new. Take the “Father first” path. Voice the words not my will but thine be done. This path maybe a little scary and wild but it will be the ride of a life time. I’m finding that out. Yea God!

Michael

Trinity Church's News Blog Updates are not dated

Michael Sprague Update #4

Time in New Orleans

Yesterday afternoon I crossed through six military checkpoints in the process of assessing the needs and opportunities with our missionaries with Urban Impact Ministries. I accompanied two of the leaders, Scott and Melanie Lundeen. There were 19 military helicopters high above, and a military run city down below. This was not the city of jazz, streetcars, and beignets I once knew.

Our mission was to investigate Urban Impact’s neighborhood, assess damage and opportunities for ministry. Their neighborhood was among the hardest hit. The church building was dry, but much of the neighborhood was under water. Imagine your home and all your things destroyed. We talked to people who decided to ride it out. It wasn’t the storm that did the damage, but the levy break and the water that poured in. The convention center has a stench so bad it was unbearable we were told and yet that’s where the only food and water resided. The military came through every 20 minutes on patrol and urged mandatory evacuation. I can tell you those people of New Orleans weren’t going anywhere unless they were dragged out. They were all worried that everything they had would be stolen if they left. They had pit bulls and guns to protect their minimal earthly belongings. A few blocks over we observed a military operation in process as the Indiana National Guard was searching for a man who had fired shots.
We then went over to Urban Impact’s newly purchased property. What a scene! The superdome was just above them representing New Orleans. Below them was water, ruin, rubbish, turned over cars and crashed vehicles and a broken-down hearse. All this pictured death. I then looked at the new property that through the eyes of faith I could see a beautiful new ministry oriented building for Urban Impact. This represented Life. In the midst of carnage, death and destruction I choose to believe in God for resurrection power and the promise to bring beauty out of ashes. There are tears now but joy will come in the morning. What a day that will be. Pray for New Orleans and our missionaries at Urban Impact.

Michael

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Michael Sprague Update #3

What I learned today

What I have learned today is ask and it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give hi a stone, or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:7-11

Today I spent my life at two ground zeros. Half my day was spent at ground zero in New Orleans with nineteen helicopters hovering above my head, scores of mobilized military units patrolling, 60% of the city under water. Dear people who rode out the storm asking for nothing but ice, treasured well know sections of the city have become ghost towns, there are flipped cars, and building that have been turned to rubbish. A hellish scene to be sure. My heart breaks for the residents of New Orleans yet there is a remarkable determination by everyone to rebuild.

My personal ground zero centered around the command center of trying to pastor a local church in a devastated community on the Northshore of New Orleans. the needs are overwhelming and resources so seemingly inadequate. The situation is so impossible that we who are used to trusting in our own strength, wit and resourcefulness were forced to trust God totally. What a noel idea to depend on the God who provides manna from heaven and the God who raises the dead.

Here is what I learned today

1. We decided we needed 5000 to 10,000 square feet of warehouse space to accommodate truckloads of disaster supplies over the next six months. What does a pastor know about warehouse space? In fact, someone said, “You’ll never find it around here.” We decided to ask the Father specifically. By the end of the day we had secured the space.

2. We needed a semi truck trailer on sight immediately. What do I know about semi’s? I told my associate to get us one. He looked at me like I was crazy. I said, “Go into town and find someone with a semi and tell him God needs a truck.” He found someone and asked and he said, “Well Okay, take it and by the way, do you have a cab and truck driver to get it to the church property?” His answer was, of course “NO” but the man standing next to him had a cab and time to do it. WOW – what a novel idea to ask the Father.

3. We started to make this a habit during the day. It seemed like the Father wanted us in New Orleans. We went to military check point after military checkpoint without official credentials and only a credit card of a food relief worker. At six checkpoints, hardnosed military gatekeepers with machine guns mysteriously waved us through so we could assess needs and talk to the remnant who rode out Katrina. It was the Father again.

4. I had no firm place for my family and three sets of missionary guests to spend the night and plan for food for dinner. I told my wife to take care of it. How? Ask the Holy Spirit to supernaturally provide- Oh? Oh, Okay. Within a few hours the call came that freed a house for one more night. What about dinner? Donna literally bumped into a woman who had just brought food to feed 12 emergency workers who were sleeping on her floor. Yet she was disappointed because they were called out on a security detail in Slidell from 6 pm to 6 am. What would she do with the food? Donna said to her friend, “Michael said the Holy Spirit would provide us dinner for tonight so I guess all that food was designed for us.” Our wonderful friend smiled and provided us the manna God sent from heaven.


5. I needed a generator so I was now getting into this “asking the Father” approach rather than the figure it out myself approach. Within hours I had one generator at my house and another at my office with an A/C window unit thrown in. WOW! But what does a mechanically challenged klutz like me know about installing generators? Call came in, “Michael my husband can stop by and get it set up. Wow again!

6. We needed someone to clear the big pines that had fallen all over the church property covering sections of the parking lot so truck loads of supplies could come through. When I returned 12 S.W.A.T. team members from Indiana had totally cleared the lot, stacked the wood and debris. They thought their mission was to provide security in Gulfport, but FEMA kicked them out. Them someone else didn’t want them. I guess the Father wanted them at our place. We bunked them all in a house where the sign entering the neighborhood read “Looters will be shot.” If looters tried to get into that house last night, WATCH OUT! You should have seen their arsenal of weaponry.


7. I still pondered throughout the day, “how will Trinity Church survive financially?” No offerings, people scattered, many jobs gone, some already not planning on returning, new building under construction, etc, etc. Right at midnight I opened an email. I read it and cried. A young girl in Maryland overheard her mom and dad discussing our plight. She went to her room and brought back her entire piggy bank and said we could have all her money and if they could remove her loose tooth there would be enough money to buy one Barbie doll for a little refugee girl. Again the Father showed He would provide.


I could go on with more stories but you get the point, I trust. This pastor is learning a new approach to living. I’ve gone each day at my ground zero without touching any money, seeing one newspaper and seeing very little news. Yet I have had all I’ve needed and every meal has been provided by the Father. Yeah God! At 10 something at night someone came and asked me for 2 workers to do some tree work in Mississippi tomorrow. My first thought was, “what do I know about tree workers in Mississippi?” Yet what I said was, “I think we should ask the Father for 2 laborers to supernaturally show up tomorrow.”

Whatever your need is today, you might try asking the Father. What a novel idea!

Michael

P.S. This really did happen in one day.

Trinity Church's News Blog Updates are not dated

Michael Sprague Update #2

Friends,

What a good day. I met with Jim Snyder who is the head of Compassion Ministries for 1400 plus churches with the Evangelical Free Church. Trinity Church will be used as a staging area for relief efforts throughout the North shore and New Orleans region. Several staff with the Evangelical Free Church will join our staff over the next 6 to 9 months to coordinate these efforts. Specific information is available on our website, www.trinitychurchonline.net on how people from across the country can get involved giving, sending supplies and manpower.

Work is progressing. Most of the staff is back and we are getting mobilized. One of the guys brought a team into a local town to clean up peoples homes. The mayor was astounded at the generosity. He said, “I used to think all Christians were hypocrites, but now I’m thinking otherwise.” That’s what happens when work is done in the name of Jesus.

Please pray for:

1. Tracking down all of our displaced Trinity Church family. It is agonizing as a church Shepherd, realizing the flock is scattered and unaccounted for. Of course, the good Shepherd knows the whereabouts of each one. If you are part of the Trinity family please email or call us as to your location and needs. Here is also a message board/blog at http://trinitychurch.blogspot.com to report information.


2. Pray for 5,000 - 10,000 square footage of warehouse space and loading dock to collect truckloads of supplies. Pray for 60 men who are working in the neighborhoods and sleeping on the church floor the next few nights.


3. Pray for perseverance, patience and wisdom. We were counseled today to realize that this job will take months or years. As Americans we can get frustrated when we can’t accomplish everything instantly.


4. Pray for revival in our land. Instead of trusting our strength or wits to get us out of this we must trust God. This makes sense since He can split a Red Sea and raise the dead! He has always delivered the needy and He will do it again as we humble ourselves before Him.


Michael

P.S. A possible answer to prayer. Since writing this letter God may have provided a 20,000 square foot warehouse. Pray for the 8 am meeting tomorrow morning. Prayer for a compassionate, generous CEO.

Also pray for the 12 police officers who are coming in momentarily to help wit relief efforts from Indiana.

Trinity Church's News Blog Updates are not dated

Michael Sprague Update #1

Dear Trinity Family,

The wind has blown, the waters have moved through, the sun is shining, the trees are down, military tanker planes are circling overhead refueling helicopters, work crews are beginning to move in and best of all, God is on the throne. I believe God for ALL of His promises. One day, the stories of His faithfulness will be extraordinary.

I'm sure in many ways the pressure of these events ways heavy. Our lives will never be the same but God can bring beauty out of ashes. Donna and I returned to find a tree in the middle of our house and a nuclear explosion of nine downed pines occupies the back yard. In time, God will provide everything we need. The church building is intact with a little water damage and a number of trees down on the property. Again, God will provide in His time.

How are you? We are poised to trust God and pull together as a church family. The web-page ( www.trinitychurchonline.net ) has a new section to collect reports on your location, needs and experiences. Let us know. We need to check on each person. Please let us know. We care! You are loved! We want to know you are O.K.!

Many churches across the country want to help us and use Trinity as a staging ground for meeting needs in our community and region. We have been blessed in many ways and God wants us to extend that to others. Pray for a mighty
spiritual move of God’s spirit.

Finally, remember to trust God, take one day at a time, don?t shrink back, let your light shine and remember God will make a way because He is ABLE. Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary; use words.

Betting the farm on God,

Michael

Trinity Church's News Blog Updates are not dated

The Katrina Grace Covington Team...

....has returned! They drove over 1000 miles yesterday straight in one day, leaving at 9 AM Central and arriving last night around 4:00 AM. We'll be posting pictures and more information this evening. They have a lot of stories to tell.

Thanks to everyone for your support and plans have already begun ab future trips.

Pls stay tuned.

What can the Grace Community do to Help Katrina Victims?

• Volunteer to travel in a group from Grace to Trinity Church in Covington, LA. We anticipate future trips to this region to assist the Trinity Church community as they resource area Katrina Evacuee Camps. One primary goal of the team that left Friday 9 September to visit Covington was to triage the situation and establish contacts for future trips. If you're interested, please email the Katrina Grace Team.
  
  
• Volunteer to help Katrina Evacuees currently at the DC Armory. You can do this online here. And please let us know if you do this.
  
  
• Open your home to a Katrina Survivor. The American Red Cross of Central Maryland is directing those interested in doing this to hurricanehousing.org where they can register their home online. We'd also appreciate if you'd send us a note that you're exploring this. You can also advise the DC Govt that you're interested in housing one or more of the folks currently at the DC Armory by clicking here.
  
  
• Bring toiletries and other items to Grace Community Church. This is what we're told the DC Katrina Evacuees now need. The Katrina Grace Team will arrange for them to be taken to one of the DC Firehouses which have been designated a drop off point for these donations. Specifically, these folks need:
  
  
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes
• deodorant
• lotion
• shampoo
• razors
• shaving cream
• hairbrushes
• combs
• hair oil
• Q-tips
• toilet paper
• dental floss
• backpacks
• duffel bags
• watches
• battery powered radios
• baby supplies
  
  Authorities are specifically asking area residents not to denote clothes. Broadcast reports indicate that these are already being warehoused and that some will simply be sold to generate funds.
  
  
• Give $ to Grace Community Church designated for "Katrina Grace." This money will be used to fund future trips to Covington, LA, possibly other affected areas, and perhaps will also support some local efforts to aid Katrina Survivors.
  
  
• Donate your Frequent Flyer Miles for people to use when flying to the affected areas. If you'd like to do this, please email us.
  
  
• Take advantage of other local volunteer opportunities through the sites listed under Locak Katrina Volunteer Opportunities listed on this page.
  
  
• Give $ online to other legitimate agencies providing direct aid to Katrina Victims such as The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
  
  
• Whatever you decide to do - of if you'd like some help or wish to do it with others - please let us know by sending us an email!
  

image from fema

Churches and Katrina

Looks like Grace isn't alone (free registration required)!

Katrina Grace Covington Team Update - 4 PM

Just received a call from Beth and our Covington Team is very busy.

The Grace Katrina Covington Team dropped off everything at the very organized warehouse the folks have established there and then began taking loads to various other locations in the affected areas that had very specific resource.

Covington is due North of Lake Pontchartrain (just by New Orleans). When Beth called she was driving a load to Slidell Baptist Church to drop off some needed supplies. Slidell is on the east side of the Lake, closer to New Orleans, and has a lot of Katrina damage. The Church needed everything.

Bill Brettschneider brought a load, including cots that were donated here, to Pineville Middle School which has been set up as a shelter. Rob Poler also made a delivery to another location.

One of the team, Ed Smith, was able to connect with his brother who actually lives in this area and sustained significant damage on his property. They are working together today to clean up there.

While there, Beth met or learned of one couple who came down from Michigan to help with a 5th Wheel are giving it to another couple with three children to live in because they lost their home.

The folks in Covington are interested in the possibility of our returning in mid-October. We are going to explore that with them after the group returns. We'd like to take a larger team down for a longer period of time and explore flying rather than driving. Our group drove 1088 miles yesterday and today to reach Covington!.

The folks down there have been very appreciative of our Team's efforts.

The group will be staying this evening at the home of Kathy and Jeff Boren. They plan to leave tomorrow around 10 AM Central and drive to Roanoke, VA. They'll spend the night in Roanoke and then make their way back here on Monday. Beth has been taking pictures and we'll post a link to them here.

I'll post more updates as I receive them.

Covington, LA Katrina Site

Just discovered a new site I've added to the Links on the right side of this page; Covington, LA has set up a Covington Hurricane Katrina Update Site where locals can find out critical information related to Katrina recovery. The Katrina Grace Team is headed to Trinity Church in Covington.

Sat 10 Sept 2005 Update - 10:15 AM ET

After some difficulty sleeping last night because - of all things - a barking dog, our Team left ab 5:30 AM Central and are now near Laurel, MS, which is 134 miles from Covington, LA. Trinity Church has the group to a Warehouse which will be their first stop.

They report that they are beginning to see damage from the storm.

More to come....

MSNBC Covers a Unique Shelter in Covington

The operation, which sprawls throughout various wings of the school, provides food, care and shelter for more than 300 patients with serious medical conditions or other problems that require attention and treatment, but not necessarily hospitalization. Believed to be the biggest shelter of its kind, it is overseen by St. Tammany Parish, La., but is the brainchild of Tobin, a social services coordinator for the parish, and three key assistants.

MSNBC runs a great piece on a shelter that's being run in the same city our team is visiting!


image from msnbc

Matthew 25:31-46

³¹"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' ⁴⁰And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

⁴¹"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' ⁴⁴Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' ⁴⁵Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' ⁴⁶And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

(emphasis mine)

ESV

What Others Are Doing

From Beth's sister and her brother-in-law:

Phil and I have decided to head down to Lumberton, Mississippi. I had read about this small town of 2,000 in our local paper. The article stated that these folks were barely surviving and because they are so small that no agency's had been in to help them. Most of the residents of Lumberton are poor and elderly. Well, I just could not get these folks out of my mind. So after some investigation and a lot of prayer we are going down there tomorrow. It is about 650 miles and will take us about 10 hours.

What we need from you is your good thoughts and your prayers. We are renting an SUV, going to Costco and buying the items that the town has requested. I spoke with a gal (Stephanie) from the Town Hall and then to the gentleman who is running 3 shelters, Bennie Smith. Bennie said that it was only 3 days ago that they had any gov. help and that they are truly relying on privately donated goods. He was so appreciative. You see he's feeding 3,000 people each day, an unbelievable task. The kinds of things they need are: canned goods, peanut butter, depends, ensure, boost, t.p., feminine products, Vienna sausages.
He was soooo grateful.

So, off we go tomorrow. Again, think a good thought for us, pray that we find gas, lodging, and that we get these much needed supplies to these dear people.

Thanks and lots of love,
Bon and Phil

There is a possibility they will connect with the Katrina Grace Team in Birmingham tonight before they each depart for their destinations.