Our heroes have made it to Birmingham and have gotten 4 rooms for the great rate of $45 a night (Thanks Yashica!).
They about to grab a bite, retire, and then they'll hit it again for 6 hours all the way to Covington.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Rick Warren on Katrina
from dj chuang:
Pastor Rick Warren shares what he learned during his recent three-day trip into the Katrina disaster zone. Read the executive summary or see the video: High-speed | Low-speed (in Windows Media format)
7 things Rick Warren learned on his post-Katrina trip
1. Those who had the least, lost the most.
2. Suffering does not discriminate.
3. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.
4. There is power in presence.
5. Every disaster presents an opportunity for new direction.
6. The church is the only network large enough to handle a disaster like this.
7. This is the time for the church to be the church.
Covington, LA Update: They're Really Roughing it Now
The Katrinagrace Crew is now near Knoxville, TN.
Turns out that Covington, LA has a curfew of 9 PM and our team's not going to make it by that time. Furthermore, hotel rooms anywhere close to the Katrina-affected areas are understandably very hard to find.
Beth and I spent some time a few weeks ago with Anthony and Yashica Smith in Charlotte, NC visiting Warehouse 242. Yashica, as it turns out, works for Marriott. Beth called Yashica and she scored us some rooms at the
Birmingham, AL Residence Inn!
I think they're going to sleep on floors in their respective rooms to, you know, emulate that "We're Relief Workers" experience. :)
They are about 6 hours from there now and then when they rise bright and early (actually it'll probably be dark and early) they'll have another 6 hours to travel to Covington.
Then our team will unload and get to work sorting and then transporting needed supplies and materials to the Survival Camps that Trinity Church is resourcing.
And, in all seriousness, I just noticed on the map how much seriously affected area they must drive thru to get to Covington, so please pray for safety, for the availability of gas, etc. And please pray that what they are doing will translate into blessings for Katrina Survivors.
Thanks.
Turns out that Covington, LA has a curfew of 9 PM and our team's not going to make it by that time. Furthermore, hotel rooms anywhere close to the Katrina-affected areas are understandably very hard to find.
Beth and I spent some time a few weeks ago with Anthony and Yashica Smith in Charlotte, NC visiting Warehouse 242. Yashica, as it turns out, works for Marriott. Beth called Yashica and she scored us some rooms at the
Birmingham, AL Residence Inn!
I think they're going to sleep on floors in their respective rooms to, you know, emulate that "We're Relief Workers" experience. :)
They are about 6 hours from there now and then when they rise bright and early (actually it'll probably be dark and early) they'll have another 6 hours to travel to Covington.
Then our team will unload and get to work sorting and then transporting needed supplies and materials to the Survival Camps that Trinity Church is resourcing.
And, in all seriousness, I just noticed on the map how much seriously affected area they must drive thru to get to Covington, so please pray for safety, for the availability of gas, etc. And please pray that what they are doing will translate into blessings for Katrina Survivors.
Thanks.
Are you Interested in Helping with Katrina Grace?
Then please email Stephen Shields @ sshields@gmail.com.
We're also interested in hearing from you if you go to Grace and you're already involved in Katrina recovery efforts in some way.
image from the Wikimedia Commons.
Some Katrina Survivors in DC Finding Refuge in Area Homes
This article in today's Washington Post (free registration required) details how some of the Katrina folks in DC are connecting with area families.
DC has set up an email address for hurricane inquiries: katrinavolunteers@dc.gov
We have also seen on TV broadcasts that the DC Armory is getting flooded with donations and that some locations are beginning to turn them away.
We'll probably be calling later today to get some more information about 1) volunteering and 2) how to get listed to shelter survivors in our homes, but if you wish to get more information by phone on volunteering at the Armory, you can call the Mayor's Call Center at 202-727-1000.
DC has set up an email address for hurricane inquiries: katrinavolunteers@dc.gov
We have also seen on TV broadcasts that the DC Armory is getting flooded with donations and that some locations are beginning to turn them away.
We'll probably be calling later today to get some more information about 1) volunteering and 2) how to get listed to shelter survivors in our homes, but if you wish to get more information by phone on volunteering at the Armory, you can call the Mayor's Call Center at 202-727-1000.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Covington Trip Update
Hi, everybody. We are leaving tomorrow, 5:30 a.m.! Wow! This has been quite a wild week for us, putting this trip together. Thank you for all the support, prayers, and patience you've shown us, along with all the contributions and offers of help, now and in the future.
Those going on the trip are: Rob Poler, Bill Brettschneider, Ed Smith, and Beth Shields. Please pray specifically for safety for the trip, enough gas to get there, deliver stuff, and get home, protection from disease or illness, restful sleep, and that we would be effective and good representatives of Christ and also Grace as a church. You can add any other good stuff you think of.
Thanks again, and we'll update you as soon as we can with news.
Beth Shields :o
New Link: Saddleback's Katrina Response
Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Site has added a page detailing their Katrina response and thoughts which will include soon details of Warren's recent trip to the area.
We've added a link to the site in this post and in the links list on the right-hand column of this page.
THE TRIP IS ON!
from Beth Shields
Thanks again for your support and patience while we work out this weekend's relief trip to Covington, LA. I have good news, and good news.
First, Rob Poler has volunteered to drive and even scared up a truck to take down for the journey. I have a very likely commitment from Bill Brettschneider to "kamikaze drive," as he puts it. AND -- I just filled my last child care slot between tomorrow a.m. and Monday a.m., so I am making the trip, too!
I spoke to Kathy at Trinity half an hour ago, and she expressed to me that this is a very fluid situation, with the church's needs changing on a daily basis. If you've already purchased the items mentioned in the previous post, please take them to Grace's office before close of business today. Nothing will be wasted that's already been purchased.
As mentioned previously, manpower is still the number one need. They are receiving donations but need us to sort and deliver items to the local shelters down there. So if we arrive with less than a vanful or a truckful of items, that's not a problem. Our items will be added to theirs, and we will definitely be put to use.
If you haven't already purchased the previous list's items, the new list of what is needed is:
bath towels
bedding
*cots* -- major, major need
small Bibles
sleeping bags
We are going to drive straight through, taking advantage of the extra drivers. Then we will probably be sleeping on the church floor Saturday night, unless some of the parishioners' homes are in okay shape and they take us in. Again, this is a very fluid situation. The church has electricity but still no water. We plan to leave midmorning to early afternoon Sunday, kamikaze driving home again.
That's the update for now. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to serve.
If you are interested in going with or without your own vehicle, pls email Beth Shields at beth.shields@gmail.com. Please bring your sleeping bags!
Trinity Church in Covington, LA has set up....
...a blog so that they can keep everyone up with their latest news.
I'll add it to the links on the right.
Be sure to read the comments to hear what these folks are dealing with.
I'll add it to the links on the right.
Be sure to read the comments to hear what these folks are dealing with.
Oh, and perhaps this goes without saying....
….but please pray for the folks going down to Covington and for those whom they wish to serve.
Possibility of a Friday 9 September Trip to Trinity Church
WHAT TRINITY NEEDS
from Beth Shields after speaking with Trinity Church in LA:
The *biggest* need they have is for manpower. Apparently, they have some supplies but no way of distributing them. That's the number one need right now. The following is a list of what is needed this weekend:
----------------------------------------------------------
from Stephen:
There is a possiblity that someone with a truck will go to Trinity tomorrow morning with several folks who have said they'll go, but we only plan to send them if we can gather enough supplies. If you can delivery any of these items to Grace to be picked up tomorrow morning, pls email Beth Shields as soon as you can @
beth.shields@gmail.com
We'll announce here when a final determination is made as to tomorrow's trip.
Obviously we'll be doing more with Katrina Survivors in future - there will be a lot of need for a long while - , but we are exploring ways we can address extreme needs immediately (so if this seems slapdash, it's because it is!)
from Beth Shields after speaking with Trinity Church in LA:
The *biggest* need they have is for manpower. Apparently, they have some supplies but no way of distributing them. That's the number one need right now. The following is a list of what is needed this weekend:
- cleaning supplies (like bleach)
- paper towels
- feminine products
- plastic spoons
- canned goods, espec. protein, like beans, tuna fish, etc.
- bread
- water (not as great a need as was previously)
----------------------------------------------------------
from Stephen:
There is a possiblity that someone with a truck will go to Trinity tomorrow morning with several folks who have said they'll go, but we only plan to send them if we can gather enough supplies. If you can delivery any of these items to Grace to be picked up tomorrow morning, pls email Beth Shields as soon as you can @
beth.shields@gmail.com
We'll announce here when a final determination is made as to tomorrow's trip.
Obviously we'll be doing more with Katrina Survivors in future - there will be a lot of need for a long while - , but we are exploring ways we can address extreme needs immediately (so if this seems slapdash, it's because it is!)
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
No Katrina Survivors Yet in Baltimore Shelter
Hundreds of beds in the Baltimore area have been readied for families fleeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, but it was unclear yesterday whether anyone would take the region up on its offer.
Reggie Scriber, Baltimore's deputy commissioner of housing, said 500 beds had been set up at the Clarence H. Du Burns Arena but that no victims of the storm have arrived seeking shelter.
About 45 affected families have traveled to Baltimore, Scriber said, and are staying with relatives.
"We don't know what we're getting," Scriber said.
See the rest of today's Baltimore Sun article (free registration required).
Reggie Scriber, Baltimore's deputy commissioner of housing, said 500 beds had been set up at the Clarence H. Du Burns Arena but that no victims of the storm have arrived seeking shelter.
About 45 affected families have traveled to Baltimore, Scriber said, and are staying with relatives.
"We don't know what we're getting," Scriber said.
See the rest of today's Baltimore Sun article (free registration required).
Introducing the KatrinaGrace Discussion Group
If you would like to join the KatrinaGrace Discussion Group where you can keep up with all the KatrinaGrace goingson, just click here or use the yellow YahooGroups signup box on the right hand column of this page.
How to Help Katrina Evacuees Now in DC
Please Note: The D.C. Government is asking people not to show up at the Armory with donations for the evacuees expected to come here from New Orleans and other states. Spokeswoman Jo'Ellen Countee says they don't have time to sort through individual donations there.
Countee says the city is trying to coordinate all donations and volunteers through the mayor's call center at 202-727-1000. That's also where you should call if you're willing to offer housing to an evacuee.
Accepting donations of personal hygiene items, water, cleaning items, food and supplies:
926 Wayne Ave
301-589-5491
Accepting donations of clothes, personal hygiene items, water, cleaning items, food and supplies:
Leesburg Food Lion (next to Home Depot on Fort Evans Road)
- The Foundation will be collecting items, Sept. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sept. 6-9 from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
this information from WTOPNews.com
September 1st EMail from Mike Sprague - Pastor of Trinity Church - Covington, LA
Friends,
The reports of devastation continue to intensify. We talk to people with
missing spouses, brothers and children. People are confused, shell-shocked,
and perplexed. It is so hard to get information. The reports suggest that
life will not be the same for months and the truth is probably that it will
never be the same.
Donna and I plan on returning to Mandeville/Covington tomorrow to be part of
the solution. We are told one in 20 trees are down in our area and that
Slidell looks like it has been through a nuclear explosion. Much ministry
awaits in physical and spiritual needs.
We are reminded in this that life does not consist in the things in which we
possess. Jesus is our life and sufficiency. We are "betting the farm on
God." The Old Testament illustrates that God does some of His best among
refugees and He is always faithful. My prayer is that this season will see
the church being at its best - serving, loving, caring and pointing people
to a deliverer.
Betting the farm on God,
Michael Sprague
Trinity Church
The reports of devastation continue to intensify. We talk to people with
missing spouses, brothers and children. People are confused, shell-shocked,
and perplexed. It is so hard to get information. The reports suggest that
life will not be the same for months and the truth is probably that it will
never be the same.
Donna and I plan on returning to Mandeville/Covington tomorrow to be part of
the solution. We are told one in 20 trees are down in our area and that
Slidell looks like it has been through a nuclear explosion. Much ministry
awaits in physical and spiritual needs.
We are reminded in this that life does not consist in the things in which we
possess. Jesus is our life and sufficiency. We are "betting the farm on
God." The Old Testament illustrates that God does some of His best among
refugees and He is always faithful. My prayer is that this season will see
the church being at its best - serving, loving, caring and pointing people
to a deliverer.
Betting the farm on God,
Michael Sprague
Trinity Church
Blood Drive Opportunity
Across the nation there is a desperate need for blood of all types to help the tremendous number of victims who are coping with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
On Tuesday, September 13, 2005, during the hours of 2:30-7:00 p.m., Inova will set up a Blood Mobile donor station at Historic Oakland at the Town Center Community Association, located at 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, Maryland.
Inova Blood Donor Services is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and that association is monitoring the blood needs of hospitals in the affected area. The need for blood is ongoing for both our own communities and those affected by Hurricane Katrina, where the need will be ongoing into the coming months, as the disaster victims require additional care.
Please call 410-730-4744 to schedule an appointment in response to this critical need for blood. This effort is sponsored by the Ten Villages of Columbia and the Columbia Association.
from Pamela Simonso
Disaster Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County
410-715-3179
On Tuesday, September 13, 2005, during the hours of 2:30-7:00 p.m., Inova will set up a Blood Mobile donor station at Historic Oakland at the Town Center Community Association, located at 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, Maryland.
Inova Blood Donor Services is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and that association is monitoring the blood needs of hospitals in the affected area. The need for blood is ongoing for both our own communities and those affected by Hurricane Katrina, where the need will be ongoing into the coming months, as the disaster victims require additional care.
Please call 410-730-4744 to schedule an appointment in response to this critical need for blood. This effort is sponsored by the Ten Villages of Columbia and the Columbia Association.
from Pamela Simonso
Disaster Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County
410-715-3179
Hundreds of Katrina Survivors Have Arrived in DC
One by one, the New Orleans survivors of Hurricane Katrina arrived in Washington yesterday, welcomed with smiles and applause from emergency workers and District leaders. Some came on stretchers or makeshift wheelchairs. Others could move on their own but looked tired and dazed.
Washington Post reports on the DC Arrival of Katrina survivors.
We'll find out how to volunteer to assist them and post that here.
Washington Post reports on the DC Arrival of Katrina survivors.
We'll find out how to volunteer to assist them and post that here.
Trinity Evangelical Free Church
In his Sunday 4 September sermon, Mark Norman mentioned a church in LA that was serving the Katrina survivors in the affected area. The name of that church is Trinity Church in Covington, LA. Covington is 42 miles from New Orleans.
The pastor there is Michael Sprague. Here you can read a letter that he wrote two days ago on his church community's efforts to help.
We've spoken with Trinity today and they have invited us to help. There is a possibility that some of us will be going to Trinity this weekend. If you are interested in going either this weekend, or sometime in the future, please email either Beth or myself.
The pastor there is Michael Sprague. Here you can read a letter that he wrote two days ago on his church community's efforts to help.
We've spoken with Trinity today and they have invited us to help. There is a possibility that some of us will be going to Trinity this weekend. If you are interested in going either this weekend, or sometime in the future, please email either Beth or myself.
Announcing Katrina Grace
The Katrina Grace website was created to support the efforts of Grace Community Church in Columbia, MD to serve the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Helpful links can be found on the right-hand column with
Helpful links can be found on the right-hand column with
- Opportunities for giving
- Opportunities for serving,
- Background information on Katrina, and
- the Latest News on the the aftermath of Katrina.
The Katrina Grace Team will be meeting soon to evaluate who wants to do what and to strategize the best way to apply Grace available resources to Katrina needs.
Yet we also realize that Grace folks will be and already are doing various things to help on their own initative. That's great! If you'll let us know, we'll post those efforts here! Perhaps your ideas and efforts that will inspire others!
Thanks for thinking of, praying for, and serving the survivors of Katrina.
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