Please Visit our New Web Site

www.disasterassistancecoc.com

Talked with our contact at Disaster Relief in Nashville, we will stay in touch and let each other know if anyone needs our help

Don has talked with the Minister of Bayside CoC, Mike Lucas in Virginia Beach. Mike said that they are watching the conditions there and will not know what they need until later today or tomorrow. He will stay intouch with us.

EX - Ida Pounding Virginia Beach and other Areas

Forcast is for 12 plus inches of rain in some areas. Our Director of Evangelism Don Hudson is on the phone as I write this to his contacts in those areas to have them keeps us updated on the conditions and if there is any need for our help.

A NEW LOW PRESSURE CENTER IS CURRENTLY FORMING NEAR MYRTLE BEACH
SOUTH CAROLINA...WHICH SHOULD BECOME THE DOMINANT CENTER OF
CIRCULATION LATER TODAY. THIS NEW LOW PRESSURE CENTER WILL TRACK
SLOWLY EAST-NORTHEASTWARD OFFSHORE THE CAROLINAS THURSDAY
NIGHT...BEFORE DROPPING SOUTHWARD ON FRIDAY.

Hurricane Ida weakens, heads toward U.S.

Hurricane Ida weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico early Monday, forecasters said.
Its maximum sustained winds are 90 mph (145 kph), with higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center said.
Additional weakening is forecast for the next 24 hours, but Ida is still expected to be a hurricane when it approaches the Gulf Coast on Monday or early Tuesday, the center said.
A hurricane warning is in effect from Pascagoula, Mississippi, eastward to Indian Pass, Florida, forecasters said. The warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.
Measures to protect life and property should be undertaken, forecasters said.
Ida is moving toward the north-northwest near 16 mph (26 kph). It is expected to bring a total of 8 inches of rain across the central and eastern Gulf Coast.

La. under state of emergency as Hurricane Ida strengthens

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency Sunday as the U.S. Gulf Coast braced for the arrival of Hurricane Ida, which was making its way across the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 storm.
A hurricane watch was in effect from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, meaning hurricane conditions were possible in the next day and a half. New Orleans was not included in the watch area.

The emergency declaration is a precaution that frees up state resources for any emergency situations. The National Guard and state agencies have been put on high alert so personnel and vehicles are available if needed.

Coastal stretches of southeast Louisiana, particularly areas outside levee protection, are the main concern. Forecasts indicate those areas could see winds, rains and high tides that could create localized flooding.


CRUISE LOG: Hurricane Ida forces cruise ships heading to Mexico to alter course

Officials in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama were also keeping a close eye on the storm's track, though no emergency declarations or other measures had yet been issued.

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ida's winds are now near 100 mph, and Ida could get stronger later Sunday.

Hurricane Ida is getting close

Don Hudson is on the phone right now with our friends in Bayou La Batre to let them know we are watching the storm and will be there if we are needed.

Late Season Hurricane Ida Giving Us Something To Watch

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS ISSUED ADVISORIES ON RECENTLY
UPGRADED HURRICANE IDA...LOCATED ABOUT 60 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF
BLUEFIELDS NICARAGUA.

Rossville Mission Recap

Our mission work in Rossville, GA is complete. The following is what we accomplished.
Don setup over 300 Bible studies and conducted several each day we were there. We made arrangements with Cox Blvd Church of Christ to send a team to Rossville to help with the studies if the Elders of Rossville CoC want their help. Two semi loads of food, cleaning supplies, cloths, water and other item from Nashville were handed out and another semi load of water was also delivered. One semi load of bed frames, box springs and mattresses were unloaded for distribution. 1285 meals were cooked and delivered in the community.

On Thursday and Friday Don delivered 78 meals to the people he is conducting Bible studies with.

conducting

Thursday we received 110 bed frames, box springs and mattresses

Photos are of people waiting in line for food and than picking it up. If you look close you can see Rosemary in the orange shirt helping

Wednesday we prepared and delivered 357 meals.

Channel 3 Called Me Today Than Came Out and Did Story While We Were Handing out Meals. Should Be on News Tonight

Don has over 100 Bible Studies setup now. We delevered 415 meals today.

Last night and today Don has setup over 30 Bible studies. Today we served 177 meals.

Don said he need 400 meals tomorrow at one complex that has over 500 people living there. Also we were contacted today by the Red Cross telling us that there is a apt complex that has been condemned. All of the people must be placed in shelters until they can find a new home. They asked if we can help with meals while these people are in shelters. We need your help to do this. We need funds to buy the food.

Don and Rosemary arrived hare today around 4pm. We had a meal after church service tonight and Don already has 7 Bible studies setup.

We also found another area about 7 miles from the church here where around 600 families were affected by the flood waters. We delivered food boxes and what cleaning supplies we had left. We most likely will get another semi load from Nashville.

Today we served 140 meals and passed out almost all of the cleaning supplies we have

We served 114 meals today and unloaded another semi from Nashville Relief

Above are photos of the distribution area after we were finished unloading the semi.

We Served 70 Meals Today for Breakfast at Heritage Christian University

After we cleaned everything up we were off for Rossville Church of Christ. I arrived there mid afternoon, had meeting with Elders and than went grocery shopping. The semi load of supplies that they received yesterday is almost gone and we have another comming on Friday.

Flooding in Georgia

We are heading to Rossville Church of Christ in Rossville, Ga to assist them in the flooded areas. They are unloading a semi of supplies from Nashville at this moment and will be receiving another load over the weekend. I am at Heritage Christian University and will leave here after we serve breakfast tomorrow so I will arrive in Rossville Thursday afternoon. Will post more later. If you can help us with any donations to buy food and supplies please send to the address here to the right of this blog.

Heritage Christian University

Don, Rosemary and I just arrived here and have our RV's setup. Don will be speaking tomorrow and on Thursday we Disaster Assistance CoC will be sponsoring, cooking and serving the breakfast for all who want to attend in the college cafeteria starting at 7 am.

Don has talked with Phillip Satterfield, Pastor of the Macland Road Church of Christ of Marietta, Ga. Bro Satterfield is in the process of assessing the needs and will get back with us.

Two Dead Due To Flooding; Flood Warning Remains In Effect

At least two people have died as thunderstorms rumbling across north Georgia Spawned heavy downpours that flooded roads and homes.

Don Hudson our Director of Evangelism has been talking to churches in the area to find out if there is anything we can do. Will keep you posted.

Heritage Christian University 38th Annual Evangelism Workshop

Our very own Director of Evangelism Don Hudson will be speaking on Wednesday 9/23 at 2 pm. Don's topic will be (Disaster Assistance) Sometimes the best opportunities for evangelism come in the worst times in people's lives. Through work with Disaster Assistance CoC, people are being helped through natural disasters and taught the gospel of Jesus.

Still Watching Bill

Tornado Touches Down in Minneapolis

A tornado has been reported in downtown Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon and there have been reports of damage in south Minneapolis.
The weather services said it received reports of the tornado at 2:11 p.m. Wednesday. Radar showed the storm moving north at about 20 mph.
It reportedly damaged Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.
A witness at the church said, "We saw the tornado, it was turning, real fast, it got real black out here and had the trees coming to us on the left, the windows were shaking real bad and all this stuff across the street in the church, they had a little dinner there, it tore it all up, and it was just lifting off the ground. And it just disappeared. It just disappeared."
In response to damage and severe weather reports, Minneapolis has partially activated its Emergency Operations Center. There have been no reports of injuries.

Sudden tornado cause damage in West Beaumont, TX

The Beaumont Fire Department is responding to a report of several injuries at Kohl's Department Store on Dowlen Road.

Officer Crystal Holmes with Beaumont Police said a possible tornado touched down at Kohl's, jumped over to Wal-Mart, and continued to Parkdale Mall.
The primary damage at the scene, as reported by Ashley Rodrigue was to the roof at Kohl's Department store.
Rodrigue also reported large pieces of debris in the parking lot. She reports that there's one vehicle on top of another vehicle in the parking lot across the street at Wal-Mart.
A dispatcher first told KFDM News after 2:00p.m. there was a report of some type of weather-related damage to the building.
Police are shutting down Dowlen Road and wanting people to stay away from the area.

Bills Path

Surprise Tropical Storm Claudette threatens Fla. Panhandle

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — Brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Claudette threatened to bring heavy rain to the Florida Panhandle later Sunday, likely becoming the first tropical storm to strike the U.S. mainland this year.

Claudette had winds of at least 50 mph, but was not expected to cause significant flooding or wind damage. Lurking more ominously in the Atlantic were tropical storms Ana and Bill, which was quickly turning into a powerful storm over warm waters in the open Atlantic.

At This Time Ana Is Not Expected To Reach Hurricane Speeds

THE WAVE BEHIND ANA IS ONE WE WILL NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS OR SO

This past weekend I drove up to Don's house in TN and dropped off the Disaster Assistance cooking equipment trailer. I attended church with him on Sunday and gave a short recap of our first years work to his congregation. I than left for KY to spend some time at my parents house. If a storm approaches we will meet at Dons and head toward the projected landfall.

It is that time of year again

Above is a photo showing 3 possible storms just two days ago there were none.

Because You Asked

Don's name gets brought up often in my emails and many of you have asked me who is that guy. Below is a little about Don.

Don Hudson, Director of Evangelism for “Disaster Assistance” lives in Middle Tennessee, where he preaches for the Howell Church of Christ when he is home. The Howell Church is very interested in evangelism and supports him in the many weather related disasters that he and his wife of 46 years, Rosemary, help in each year. This is their fifth year in helping in natural disasters. Don, a graduate of David Lipscomb University ‘63, is responsible for helping in visitation and setting up bible studies as “Disaster Assistance” works in feeding those who are affected by various storms. During last years hurricane season, due to the work of “Disaster Assistance”, many bible studies were established. Don states, “While tornadoes, floods and hurricanes are often horrible, we can share in the heavy loads people bear by helping them with a good hot meal and a good word about Jesus. When we meet people in this sorrowful time, we want them to know that Jesus cares and we Christians care too.”

Here is Don's contact information:

donhudsoncoc@gmail.com 931-698-3150

Don would be glad to talk with you about the Disaster Assistance Mission anytime.

Disaster Assistance CoC First Year Recap

A little over a year ago plans were put in place to start Disaster Assistance CoC. Here is a recap of our first years mission work. On September 6, 2009 I left Florida for Goodwood Church of Christ in Baton Rouge. We spent a little over 2 weeks there setting up bible studies, handing out food boxes and supplies and cooking meals for the people affected by Gustav. Then Ike hit Texas and we move to Lake Jackson,TX and setup at the Lake Jackson Church of Christ. There we did the same things we were doing at Goodwood. Serving meals at the church, taking to go meals out into the community and than preparing meals and taking them to Surfside and serving them there. We held church services there at Surfside two Sundays. From here we moved on to Galveston, TX and setup up at the Broadway Church of Christ. This turned out to be a real challenge. There still was no electric there at the church and everything in the church building had been removed because of the flooding. We setup outside on the street and sidewalk than started cooking with the power of generators using roasters. El Campo Church of Christ brought us a refrigerator/freezer that ran off a generator also. This effort quickly grew until we were serving between 800 and 1000 meals each day. This was made possible only because of the help of many volunteers and churches two numerous to mention because I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. From there we headed over to Port Bolivar and setup up at the Bolivar fire station. The Church of Christ there at Crystal Beach was totally destroyed by the storm. Many truck loads of supplies were passed out and many meals were served. I headed back home on December 6. Our next mission was in Murfreesboro, TN where we worked with the Kingwood Heights Church of Christ after the tornado there. Than a few weeks later we were off to Hemly Road Church of Christ in Bayou La Batre, AL, to spend a week of follow up Evangelism work there. The results of these missions were hundreds of Bible Studies were setup, numerous Baptisms, 11 semi loads of food and supplies were passed out and over 40,000 meals were cooked and served. Now the next couple of months Don has a lot going on at his home church in Howell, TN and I will be mowing, taking care of the pool and picking up supplies for the summer youth camps sponsored by the Church of Christ which starts the 2nd week of June and runs for 6 weeks. I will also continue to update and add new email address to the Disaster Assistance mailing file which now stands at over 10,000 email addresses. We also plan to get everything serviced and be ready for the upcoming Hurricane season. This will probably be the last email you will receive for a few weeks unless a mega disaster happens that would require us to change all our scheduled plans.

If you would like to help us prepare for the upcoming hurricane season you can send donation to:
Disaster Assistance CoC, C/O Church of Christ, 14505 NW 145 Ave, Alachua, Fl 32615.

You can reach Don Hudson our Director of Evangelism at 931-698-3150 or donhudsoncoc@gmail.com

The Sojourner Story

The Sojourner program was a dream of Paul and Peggie Scott. Paul was a carreer Navy man and as such, had been in many places where the congregations of the Lord's people were small in number and struggling. It was his dream to do something to alleviate the situation by helping these congregations to become self-supporting and strengthen the Church.

While living in California they worked with congregations of all sizes and conducted workshops statewide. At the time he retired from the Navy, he was serving as an elder of the Pacific Beach Church of Christ in San Diego, California. He still had the dream and hope of a particular type of mission work, but had not fully decided just how this would be accomplished. They moved to Lubbock, TX and attended the Sunset School of Preaching to better prepare themselves. They worked for a short period in Wyoming and Kansas. While in Kansas, Richard and Georgie Jones joined them. They had a RV as did some others and an idea began to grow that this would be the way to accomplish what had become known as "Paul and Peggie's Dream".

The Conroe Church of Christ in Conroe, TX sent them to a mission field in South Carolina where they worked for three years. When they completed the work there, they went to Staten Island, NY for a 3-month mission effort before returning to Texas. Another couple shared in the dream with Paul and Peggie. They were Marvin and Linda Hall from San Diego where Marvin was serving as an elder with the Pacific Beach congregation. They left San Diego and attended the Sunset School of Preaching to participate in a study course for which Paul had made arrangements. In 1978 these two couples held the first workshop in Weslaco, TX. In January 1979 the group adopted their identifying name of NATIONAL EVANGELISM WITH SOJOURNERS. The number has continued to grow year after year. However, there are always more requests for help than there are Sojourners to do the work.

The congregation in Conroe, Texas sponsored the Sojourner program of work for 13 years. From 1991 to 2005 the work was under the oversight of the Elders of the Church of Christ in Burleson, TX . It was sponsored by the Eastern Hills Church of Christ in Marshall, TX for 2006. It is now back under the eldership of the Burleson Church of Christ in Burleson, TX. However, individuals are encouraged to remain under the oversight of their local elders, whenever possible. Every effort is made to maintain a scriptural mission of the Church of Christ and always do everything to the glory of God.

Above information is a reprint from the Sojourner web page http://www.sojourning.org

Goodwood Church of Christ

Building Up the Faith
By Doug Burleson

Last week was one of those weeks when it was easy to count our blessings. We rejoiced that two souls were added to the Lord’s church through baptism. Sydney Rametta was baptized by David Gregor on Wednesday evening after Bible classes. Sydney did not come to class that night anticipating being baptized, but in Katie Hedglin’s high school girls’ class she was involved in a discussion on baptism and was convinced that she needed to have her sins washed away. We give thanks that Katie Gregor brought her friend to class and that Sydney responded to the Lord’s invitation. We also rejoice with Rickey Garrett who was baptized by Bob Bayham on Friday afternoon. Rickey grew up a preacher’s son in rural Alabama and through the study of God’s Word on Friday determined that he needed to be baptized. Isn’t God’s Word powerful? Let’s give thanks for the power of the message and the reality that when the seed of the Word is planted it will come to fruition. Let us make sure to welcome Sydney and Rickey to our church family.

As of Wednesday morning there are over 35 TEENS AND ADULTS heading to Camp Maywood this coming Sunday. I wish that all of you could see this beautiful campground operated by the churches of Christ in Northwest AL. Summer sessions of Camp Maywood have been going on there since 1965 and the camp has been expanded to hold up to 400 campers at once (three new girls cabins will welcome us this year!). But even more beautiful than the camp or the cabins is the Christian spirit that is evident when young people from all over the SE United States come together to grow in faith through the study of God’s Word. This year I will be teaching a morning Bible class, speaking on the summer series at the Hamilton Church of Christ on Wednesday evening, and speaking at the camp devotional on Thursday evening. I especially appreciate Brian Egerton (the summer youth intern), Marcine Lanier (member at Zachary), Terry Peeples, Nicholas Stacks (the preacher at Zachary), and of course Kristi and Eden for going with us this year. The group will leave at 6:00 AM on Sunday morning and return on Saturday evening, June 6.

I just got off the phone with Larry Cline, Minister Holly Hill Church of Christ. He called me to follow up on the conversation with Don. They are still reviewing the needs in their area and will get back with us if they need our help.

Don our Director of Evangelism has been intouch with the Holly Hill Church of Christ in Holly Hill Florida and they have cancelled church tonight because of the weather. They are checking to see if there is a need for our help and will be getting back with us.

Keeping an eye on the storms and flooding here in Central Florida

Update from Don

"Disaster Assistance" has just completed a short mission with the Hemly Rd. Church of Christ in Bayou La Batre, Al. Just a couple of weeks, ago Brs. Dave Neal and Doug Oaks from the Somerset Church in Somerset, Ohio spent time in BLB. There they taught and baptized 5 people. A call came to us, to come and help teach these new converts as well as several new Christians more about the doctrine of Christ. This church does not have a regular preacher. Thanks to your support in these spiritual matters, we were able to go there and really be a big help to this young growing church. As you may recall, prior to hurricane Katrina, the only congregation in BLB had ceased to meet some 2 yrs before the hurricane. When "Katrina" came to BLB, shortly thereafter, several Christan's came there to help. Out of this help, the church began to meet again, Christians bought another building, have a dynamic outreach program, are now a center of activity in the community and this past Sun. had 80 people in worship service. Your help greatly aided in the development and growth of this congregation. Br. Mike Baumgartner, Director of "Disaster Assistance", with the help of Rosemary and others cooked and fixed some really good meals, 460. The church invited the community in and was the community ever impressed by the friendliness of this church? We inter mingled with them and talked them about the Church of Christ at the supper time meal. We invited them to worship with us Sunday.Several of them who had not visited the church before came to worship that Sunday morning and I personally know some that have expressed an interest in studying God's word. This was an excellent outreach project that you helped make possible. With our spiritual outreach arm of "Disaster Assistance", while there we had 21 in attendance during 12 different bible studies. Now while our effort there was to help "ground" new Christians, one was baptized and I believe two more will be baptized shortly. We left the Hemly Rd. Church of Christ with a renewed appreciation for the outreach of this church, esp. with young people. Of the 80 people who were in attendance at worship Sun. I believe over half of them were young people. I went around to the Sunday School classes Sun. morn. and was deeply impressed with the dedication of the teachers. Sun. Ev. we went to the Creekwood Congregation in Mobile. Br. David Sargent had an excellent lesson on Christian's caring We had an opportunity to renew old acquaintances there from our work in Katrina.
As we are back home now for awhile, I think, we have a lot of activity planned this summer at the Howel Church where I preach and which sends and supports Rosemary and I on these various home missionary trips. Our gospel meeting is in June, I am in a meeting at the Mc Burg Church in July, we have our Super Sat. Bible School in July and then there is the upcoming Sycamore Bible Bowl in Cookeville, Tn. in early Sept. then I speak at the Heritage Christian Un. Lecturship in late Sept. In between all of these activities, "Disaster Assistance " remains ready to "Drive at Dawn"to help organize and work for the local church should disaster strike. We can always use volunteers "at the ready". I must tell you, this is work. We start early in the morning and it is usually nearly dark, when we finish. That's 7 days a week, with time off to go to worship. While it's work, it has, I believe, the greatest reward of all on this earth, the knowledge that you helped make a difference in someone's life physically and you also and at the same time had and used the opportunity to show and teach people about Jesus. If you would like to be a part of this Home Mission Work, email me or call me at 931 659 6643 cell 931 698 3150 or email Mike at disasterassistance@gmail.com

Bayou La Batre Mission Trip Recap

1 Baptism, 21 attended bible studies and 460 meals were served. We also attended church services at Creekwood Church of Christ in Mobile Sunday night. Don gave a good presentation to the congregation about Disaster Assistance.

Sunday 1 Baptism and 144 meals served

Saturday 3 more attended Bible studies and 44 meals for dinner

Members of Hemly Road Church of Christ went to Mobile today to work at the local food bank. They help unload trucks from 2 until 5. Because they were gone we only had one bus picking up kids so our total number of meals served was down.

Friday 4 Bible studies and 78 meals served.

Thursday we had 6 Bible studies and served 87 meals

Update from Bayou La Batre

We arrived at Hemley Road Church of Christ on Tuesday. Yesterday Don had Bible studies in the AM and PM with a total of 8 involved. We served 107 meals last night and 75 to 80 stayed for singing. Above photos are of the meal and the singing.

Update from Dave Neal

Tuesday April 21

Doug and I left Tuesday morning about 7:00am and drove to mid-Alabama before stopping for the night. It was a lot of windshield time for us to talk about almost anything you can imagine. It was an easy drive, but yes long. As we entered northern Alabama Chris called us about Rosemary’s request to be baptized. This was great news. Doug and I called Larry’s cell following the baptism and congratulated her.

Wednesday

We talked with Daphne on Tuesday and decided to be at the Church building by 9:30 to help with food distribution though their pantry. What a program they have in place as an outreach. Lord willing, you will hear much more about this when we return home. We drove to the food bank just north of Bayou La Batre and purchased food for distribution at the Church building. Wednesday through Saturday, we distributed approximately 500 pounds of food to the community. While people were waiting for their food to be packed, we asked them about having Bible studies.

How can I begin to express the emotion and appreciation for what the Bayou La Batre Church is doing? Bottom line, the Lord must be so pleased with their dedication and commitment to the lost. I am humbled beyond expression. This small group of faithful followers of our Lord, work where extreme poverty abounds. Yet, we see the attitude of Jesus in these faithful Christians that compels me to do more. Hemley Road church of Christ is truly that City on a Hill, that Light to the world that cannot be hidden. Let me give you an example of a new convert since I was here last year. I know only a little of her past but she answers the question daily of “What Would Jesus Do?” She has had a difficult life to say the least. Last summer she came in contact with this Church who led her to Jesus. She works at the building it seems every day, calling people to invite them to church, cleaning the building, driving the church bus, contacting people who need food, whatever the need, this lady is there. I gave her a break from driving the church bus this evening. She went with me to find all the homes of probably 35 kids and all the while I was driving, she was calling people inviting them to Church.

With Daphne’s help, we visited (4) families late in the afternoon inviting them to Church and set up two Bible studies for Thursday.

Wednesday night Church was challenging because there were more non-Christian than Christians (what a “great” opportunity). I have so much admiration for the leadership of this congregation. Surrounded in Bayou La Batre by unemployment, hunger, and human suffering brings me to my knees, yet they are certainly focused on the objective of Heaven and leading people to Jesus rather than the obstacles. I have a Bible study scheduled for Thursday morning.

Just when we thought the day was over, Daphne called and asked me to turn-on the heater for the baptistery because she is expecting a baptism on Thursday.

Thursday

Pictures are worth a thousand words: two new sisters in Christ. Both studies were set-up by the congregation (thank you), not Doug or I. These were the first of five baptisms this week.

Praise God and the power of the scriptures (Rom 1:16) for these two new sisters. You also need to know the effort made by the congregation here to set up the studies. Church members here are regularly calling people to come to Church or setting up a Bible study. When other Christians work like this, the actual study of God’s Word becomes much easier.

This evening, we had an adult Bible study with 22 people. Church, this was a Thursday evening after we already had the regular Wednesday evening study. Daphne and others (I helped a little too-made ice tea and opened cans of food-big help ha ha) cooked dinner before the study with the understanding that a Bible study would follow. People were very eager to study. That’s when the sister (above right) asked to be baptized.

Well, today is gone and we now look with anticipation for more Bible studies on Friday followed at 6:00pm by a meal and devo with the teens. Doug and I miss you very much, but are also praising God for this opportunity: our spirits are full tonight. Hopefully you can see why we continue to be excited about the work at Bayou La Batre! By-the-way, the Church here is planning TWO vacation Bible schools THIS year. More tomorrow.

Friday

Something I didn’t mention in Thursday’s brief is that one of the above ladies baptized was lead to Jesus by her daughter. Needless to say, it was a great day.

Friday night was teen night: food and devo. I am not as young as I used to be, but don’t tell anyone. Leslie, does this bring back memories?

We went to the food bank earlier today to get more food for distribution at the church building. What a great outreach program. I hope we can duplicate it at home. Some of the BLB members went door knocking to invite people to our Super Saturday. With the invitation to Super Saturday came a pastry. The picture below is our load of pastries purchased for this purpose.

We had one Bible study today. She is coming back for more study tomorrow with her husband: expect both to be baptized. A third study is also scheduled for tomorrow. That’s all for today.

Saturday

Friday afternoon, Billy, Daphne, Doug, and I made a schedule for today. This is what Billy and Daphne usually do every Saturday over breakfast. This one went something like this: check-on this person who is in need of help, arrange a ride to church for a sister, deliver a tool trailer to a group of volunteers working on a house, schedule people to pass out flyers for the Super Saturday event this evening (Gospel sing and meal for those attending- an outreach program), schedule Bible studies (There are 3 people scheduled), and cook/clean for the sing this evening. These Christians have a zeal for teaching the lost. It’s 6:35am as I write this update. Doug and I will be leaving soon to meet Billy and Daphne for breakfast to confirm the schedule for today. We are excited about what is planned for the day, but we look forward to tomorrow worship and starting our trip home.

At 10:00am I started a Bible that one of the members scheduled. The lady had been encouraged by one of the members to study and had the desire to learn. Within a few hours of study, she was ready to be baptized: it was my privilege as pictured below.

Two more Bible studies were held-one a continuation from the night before. The study was with a husband and wife (Doug taught the study) who decided to be baptized during the Sunday worship.

The sing was well attended. We had a great fellowship.

Praise God! Another great day of service.

Sunday

I taught the Bible study and Doug had the sermon. Worship was great accented by the baptism of the husband and wife pictured below.

We started our journey back to Ohio following the AM service. One regret, we learned Sunday about another request for a Bible study. My God forgive us that we couldn’t get to it. But here is what we have planned. I talked with Don Hudson about a follow-up trip to BLB. Don and Rosemary along with Mike Baungatner are planning to go to BLB next week to follow-up with additional Bible studies with the new Christians and hopefully conduct new Bible studies. Follow-up for the new converts is critical and the focus of the next week. I know that the congregation in BLB does follow-up, but it is small and they are limited in time and people with all the work they do. As I said earlier, this congregation is truly a Light to the community. It is a blessing to us to know them and learn from them.

Disaster Assistance's Director of Evangelism Don Hudson will be speaking at Heritage Christian University's 38th Annual Evangelism Workshop

Don will speak on Wednesday morning September 23 at 10:30 AM. If you are planning to attend the workshop or in the area please stop by and say hi to Don.

Houston Flooding

We are keeping an eye on the flooding and storms in Texas. We have numerous churches in that area that worked with us during Hurricane Ike last year.

Headed Back to Bayou La Batre

All of us realize the importance of follow up teaching with new converts. It is absolutely essential. Sometimes, however preachers and other church workers are so very busy that this does not get done. We all probably know of many cases where follow up could have made the difference to a new Christian. We in "Disaster Assistance" are working to help fill this vital need. Evangelism is a vital part of this mission and we want to improve in this area of service. We want to help. You have placed a lot of trust in our mission and we want to help spread the borders of God's Kingdom. We will be contacting churches which we have worked with in disasters and have helped "teach much people there"to see if they could use our help as opportunity is granted us. As Mike, Rosemary and I have worked in disasters in Bayou La Batre and there has been many new converts due to the work of many, we plan to go to BLB May 5th - 11th to work with several new Christians. This new church is looking forward to our coming and our work in helping in this area. Bro. Dave Neal and his preacher Doug from the Somerset Church of Christ in Somerset, Ohio have just completed a weeks work there and there have been, I believe, 6 baptisms. Follow up teaching is needed as soon as possible and we are going to do our best.

How did we decide to do this followup?

We have thought of many things: we could hold personal evangelism seminars, attend various meetings where we could set up a booth about "Disaster Assistance", publicizing our work, or other worthwhile activities. We have chosen to use our "spare time" in helping churches do follow up with new converts. As time allows, and no disasters are occurring, we plan to make ourselves available to congregations to do follow up teaching after a person becomes a Christian, just as we make ourselves available in disaster work. It is our hope this effort will be of help in "grounding "new Christians in the faith "that was once delivered to the Saints." Please pray for our efforts together in this mission.

South Carolina Wildfires

Don Hudson our Director of Evangelism has talked with Elder of the Myrtle Beach Church of Christ and he tells us that they have brought in more fire fighters and with the winds being calm overnight that things are in better control. He said that most everyone that had been evacutated were being taken care of. He will let us know if there is anything we can do in the area.

Recap of Kingwood Heights, Murfreesboro TN from 4/11-4/18

193 Family Care Packs Delivered, 15 Different areas work in during the week, 19 different homes worked on Saturday 4/18, 1804 meals prepared and delivered, 519 volunteers helped from 14 different churches. Thanks to everyone

Update from one of our wonderful volunteers today

HAD A GREAT DAY. GOT IN A GOOD CREW WITH A BOBCAT AND 3 CHAINSAWS AND 3 COLLEGE KIDS. I RAN A CHAINSAW QUITE A LOT. THE GUY WITH THE BOBCAT, FROM MY COUNTY AND THE CHAPEL HILL CONGREGATION IS A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ABOUT 30 YEARS OLD. THE CITY LEFT A GREAT BIG JOHN DEERE WITH AN EIGHT FOOT BUCKET NEARBY FOR THE WEEKEND. HE HAD A KEY THAT FIT IT AND WE USED IT ALL DAY AND DUG UP SEVERAL HUMONGOUS TREES THAT HAD BLOWN OVER IN A COUPLE OF YARDS. THEN I HAD A GREAT LUNCH YOU GUYS MADE. I'M WORN OUT AND KNOW I WILL FEEL IT TOMORROW, BUT WE GOT A LOT DONE WITH A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. I WENT WITH A FARMER ABOUT MY AGE FROM MILTON, A LITTLE PLACE THERE IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY AND HE AND I WERE A GOOD MATCH. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT COMPANION AND WORKER. HIS NAME IS LANIER LESTER.(LANNIE) JUST HAPPENED THAT ONE OF THE PLACES WE WERE SENT TURNED OUT TO BE A LADY WHOM HE HAD GRADUATED WITH. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND TAKE CARE. RANDY

646 Meals Delivered Today

Today we have over 225 volunteers along with chainsaws and 5 Bobcats working in multipule areas. Photos below are of the volunteers signing in, volunteers by Bobcat and other equipment and volunteers packing lunches.

253 Meals Today

We are expecting 250 volunteers here tomorrow to help with the cleanup. We are buying enough food to prepare 600 meals to be delivered tomorrow.

250 Meals taken out today

This afternoon we had meeting here at Kingwood Heights which was attended by members of 7 different Churches of Christ and 1 rep from the Red Cross. The meeting was planing and review for this weekend. There will around 150 volunteers here working with us. They will be divided up into groups and sent to different houses for cleanup, chainsaw and some tractor work.

260 meals delivered out to the affected area today

Tomorrow we have a meeting here at Kingwood Heights with several local Churches of Christ to review plan for the upcoming weekend. Many volunteers will be coming into the area to help. Today Elders from Kingwood Heights are out surveying the area to know what is needed.



Photos are of the distribution area, kitchen and 2 of Kingwood Heights Elders.

Assistance Work at Kingwood Heights CoC

Today we served 185 meals out in the areas that cleanup work is being done. Last night I contacted some of the TV stations and this morning Fox was here at 8AM with a crew to film and talk about what we are doing here. Should be on Fox Nashville tonight at 9AM. Also last night at 9PM there was a knock at my door and it was 3 deacons from one of the area Churches of Christ. They wanted to know how they could work with us. We went back into the church and I gave them a overview of our work. They will probably be working with us starting this Friday.

Disaster Assistance and Kingwood Heights CoC

Today members from Kingoowd Heights and other churches delivered 155 meals and other food boxes and supplies out into the community. So far today the bad weather has missed us. Don and Rosemary Hudson just arrived and are setting up their motorhome.
I have a meeting setup for 3PM today for Don and the Elder here that oversees the Spiritual outreach program. They are going to review how they want to handel the Bible Studies that we setup.

Arrived at Kingwood Heights in Murfreesboro Safely

I arrived around 4PM local time and was given a tour of the church and review of what they are already doing. Got RV setup and than went to church. After church we had Elders meeting witch was attended by Walter Hill Church of Christ. They are one of the Churches of Christ that we are also working with. After meeting I headed to Walmart with one of the Elders to start planing our meals. Tomorrow morning starts off with early trip to Sams Club and than a 9 AM meeting with city officals to review when all streets will be open and get passes if needed. There is 80% chance of heavy rain and stomrs here tomorrow so not expecting to have many workers out. We plan on delivering some meals tomorrow and meeting with several churches that are wanting to help. Kingwood has their distribution center open from 8AM to 9PM. Also they have members taking supplies out to the areas.

Disaster Assistance Headed to Murfreesboro TN

I will be arriving tomorrow for Kingwood Heights Church of Christ, Murfreesboro TN. They have a load of supplies from Disaster Relief already there and another one will arrive on Monday if needed. We are also going to serve meals to the people affected, volunteers and workers that are in the area. With all the areas in need around the country we realize that we can't cover the entire US at the same time. So what we have done is contact over 50 Churches of Church in the Murfreesboro area and let them know that we will be cooking lunch and if anyone from their congregation wants to help deliver meals around the affected areas that all they need to do is give us a call and tell us how many they need and what time they can pick them up. If we could get 15 or 20 Churches of Christ out delivering hot meals that would be wonderful.

Waiting this morning to hear from our spotters in AL, TN and GA

Tornado kills 2, injures 41 in Tenn.

A tornado killed a woman and her 9-week-old infant and also injured dozens Friday in central Tennessee as a line of storms lifted homes, ripped off roofs and dumped hail in the Southeast.

I have talked with Don Hudson several times today about the tornadoes in his home state TN