OK&TX Disaster Response

WE GOT A NEW FORKLIFT CAGE AT THE DALLAS DEPOT SO WE CAN REACH NEW HEIGHTS! WE HAVE ALREADY USED IT TO REPLACE BROKEN WINDOWS, CLEAN OUT EQUIPMENT, AND SORT OUT SUPPLIES.

We recently received hand sanitizer and baby wipes that were donated to the Salvation Army. This is an example of partners in disaster response sharing with one another. We were then able to share some of the items with Greg Jones of GEM ministry. Blessed to be a blessing!!

We continue to add Sheds of Hope to our inventory in anticipation of the next disaster! The sheds are given to victims of disasters who have lost almost everything and need a place to store what they can salvage. We prebuild the sheds, then flat pack them, and finally shrink wrap them for storage. We now have 16 at the Dallas Depot ready for deployment.

We recently completed training on the Doosan forklift and the Bobcat MT 85 at the Dallas Depot. Nine completed forklift training and seven completed Bobcat training so we now have qualified operators who can move Sheds of Hope, trailers, supplies and equipment at the Depot and move debris and branches at disaster sites. More training coming soon so stay tuned!!!

A Mission to North America Webinar on Mar 11, 2021, hosted by Tracy Lane-Hall, answers some questions you may have about responding to disasters. Keith Perry, MNA Regional Disaster Response Specialist, Florida, and Rick Lenz, his counterpart in the South Central Region (TX, OK, parts of LA, MO, and AR discuss how we respond and how you can volunteer. You can now view a copy of the Webinar below

If you would like to volunteer, register now before the disasters strike. Go to https://resources.pcamna.org/resource/how-to-volunteer-with-mna-disaster-response/

Mark Becker, a ruling elder at Christ Church PCA, Katy, TX, was recently added to the South Central Region staff as the Associate Regional Specialist. He brings a wealth of experience in management and organization which proved itself when he completed a stint as the site manager at our Disaster Response site at Bethel PCA in Lake Charles, LA, following Hurricane Laura’s destructive path through southern Louisiana followed by major flooding from Hurricane Delta. He organized and supervised teams in felling trees, removing debris, gutting out Bethel PCA, and building Sheds of Hope. He was greatly aided in this effort by his wife, Suzan, who took care of the volunteers, prepared donated casseroles, cleaned the bunkhouses and shower trailers as well as helped to clean the church. They make a great team. They have also traveled to our Dallas Depot several times to help organize and clean the warehouse to better enable us to respond in the future.

Contact him at mbecker@pcanet.org or call 225-456-4977 or me, Rick Lenz, rlenz@pcanet.org or call 817-690-8107 if you need help after a disaster, like to pray for us, seek to volunteer with us or wish to contribute to our ministry.

To contribute to Mark’s ministry, text MNA 1866 to 76959 or go https://give.pcamna.org/to/1866/.

To contribute to Rick’s ministry, text MNA 1340 to 76959 or go to https://give.pcamna.org/to/1340/.

Our Disaster Response Depot in Dallas is up and running! Located just a few blocks south of Love Field, the Depot is being organized and equipped. We have two 12 person bunkhouse trailers, two shower trailers, a mini Bobcat, two flat-bed trailers, and four utility trailers to respond quickly in setting up volunteer sites in disaster areas. We also have such supplies and equipment as generators, fans, flood buckets, hygiene kits, trash bags, dehumidifiers, Sheds of Hope, tools, roofing tarps, etc. We will soon have an open house where you can meet us and see the capability we have.

We are in the middle of a very busy hurricane season with what looks like more storms to come. Right now we are watching Marco and Laura which look like they’ll deliver a one-two punch to LA and TX! If you are affected by a disaster, please contact us!

We need volunteers in S TX to address staggering needs resulting from Hurricane Harvey!  Soon we will need people with experience to install, tape and float drywall. Consider assembling a team now to come to Grace PCA, The Woodlands or Christ the King PCA, Houston. We have housing and showers at both locations. Both are close to stores and restaurants so don’t bring huge amounts of food or water.  We also have tools but we can discuss when you sign up your team. Go to MNA Disaster Response at today to pray, give and or go!

Devastating flooding and water rescues continue in S TX as water from reservoirs is released after the flooding from unbelievably heavy rains. We have prepositioned equipment and will be receiving flood buckets and hygiene kits soon for distribution. We are meeting with leaders from PCA churches in the area on Tuesday to discuss volunteer sites, those needing help and how we can best respond. One PCA church was flooded and approximately 50 families had flood water come into their homes.