Disaster Relief Update - Monday, September 21, 2009

"You have encircled me; You have placed your hand on me." (Psalms 139:5) HCS

What a great Psalm. In Psalm 139 we find the Psalmist talking about how well the Father knows us and loves us. In this verse even saying that He completely encircles us and has placed His hand on us. How important it is to be surrounded by the Father and to feel His hand on us in times of disaster. This is the comfort that Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers bring to others when they respond to disasters. The comfort that God knows exactly where you are and He "will never leave you.”

New York: Silver Creek Flooding

New York volunteers along with volunteers from many other states finished their work several weeks ago in Silver Creek. Lamar Duke, with the Baptist Convention of New York shares the story of a young woman who escaped her home by carrying one child in her arms and one on her back through chest high water. He says that she was praising God for the safety of her children in spite of losing most of her belongings.

Texas: Eagle Pass Flood

Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief Volunteers continue to serve in Eagle Pass, Texas from the First Baptist Church in response to the recent flooding. As of September 21, SBTC Disaster Relief Director Jim Richardson reported volunteers have served 128 days and completed 46 clean up jobs.

California: Volunteers Needed for Auburn Fire
Don Hargis, State Disaster Relief Director for California announced that volunteers are needed beginning Monday morning, September 21 in Auburn, CA. They have assessed 16 properties which they hope to clean in a timely manner. Volunteers are asked to come to assist for the entire week (Monday-Saturday) or for any part of that week. At this time California is not asking other states for assistance.

All volunteers are meeting at Bell Road Baptist Church, 707 Bell Road, Auburn by 7:30 am each morning. Breakfast and supper will be served at the church for volunteers daily. California trained Disaster Relief volunteers are asked to call Reneé McKinley (530) 265-3621 for more information.