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Gulf Coast Response ContinuesHouma, LA. - "Always remember - don't ever forget: BE FLEXIBLE." Anyone who has ever done any kind of mission work, disaster or emergency relief work, and even just plain church work in general has heard this mantra over and over. It's the best advice anyone can give and receive in these situations. And even seasoned veterans need to share this same advice from time to time. BE FLEXIBLE.
On January 30, 2010, a team of 17 people from Mountain Valley Mission Community journeyed one more time to Houma, Louisiana, south of New Orleans, for their eighth trip to the Gulf Coast on a disaster relief work trip. They came from 5 congregations and included 10 returning veterans of previous trips to the Gulf. The seven new people came after hearing the stories and reports from the veterans which moved them to want to share their skills and gifts in the recovery efforts.
Their rebuilding work expanded from repair to homes devastated in the August 2005 hurricane Katrina to include damage from hurricanes Gustav and Ike which hit the same region in 2008. They repaired interior walls and floors, tiled a bathroom, installed wiring and plumbing, and did a lot of painting and staining.
It was a work trip but it was much more. They stayed at the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Volunteer Village in Houma where they have stayed many times before. Managing the work assignments for this trip was the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The Mountain Valley team provided additional support to the village by cooking, cleaning, and sharing devotions.
Maybe the most important gift shared by the team was conducting a "ministry of presence" as they provided spiritual support to hurricane survivors and other disaster volunteers. Members of the team were also enriched and fed spiritually as they shared experiences each evening around meals and times of devotion.
They have already planned to return one more time to continue sharing the love of Christ with the people of Houma, LA.
Think Iowa for Mission DestinationYes, that's right - IOWA. Nearly two years after flooding devastated much of eastern Iowa, rebuilding continues in effected cities and towns around the state. Much help is needed.
Following flooding and heavy snow melt in the spring of 2008, Iowa was hit hard. Then tornadoes hit followed by more heavy rain and an historical series of floods have left cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City with devastation that will take years to repair and rebuild.
This spring PDA is participating with Church World Service in hosting a 6-week ecumenical work project in Cedar Rapids. They will be working with local organizations to help at least 10 families return home.
Project dates are weekly from April 11 through May 22nd. To join this focused effort, call Sarah Dyck at (319)321-4165 or email her at sdyck@peia.org to learn how your mission team can join the effort. Register your volunteer team by calling the PDA Call Center at (866)732-6121.
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Support the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Easter Sunday.