OK&TX Disaster Response

Finished the last of the 27 Sheds of Hope we built in Spicewood TX.   Many thanks to all who donated and participated to build the storage sheds for wildfire victims.  What a great example of cooperation – PCA churches in N TX and S TX as well as local churches and organizations working together!  Give God the glory!

In Dallas on Saturday, Nov 26th, 75 people from 8 N TX Presbytery churches partially built 14 storage sheds for victims of the TX wildfires. These sheds and 6 more kits will be sent to Spicewood, TX, where S TX Presbytery churches have built 7 sheds.  The sheds give the homeowners assurance that they are on the road to recovery and it’s a great way to spread God’s love.  MNA have built over 650 Sheds of Hope across the nation since Katrina. Thanks to the volunteers and the churches and individuals who provided the funds to purchase the sheds.

We can ask volunteers to toil in the muck, dust, and soot but they deserve a hot shower at the end of the day. The region now has a shower trailer thanks to generous donations by individuals and churches!  Once a site is set up to house volunteers following a disaster, we can send the shower trailer if no shower facilities exist on site.  If you’d like to volunteer to deliver and return the shower trailer to Dallas, please let me know.

The warehouse in Bastrop is full; they cannot take anything else right now.    A warehouse has been established to amass donations at 610 North Austin, Georgetown, TX.  Call 512-331-2200 for a list of what is needed before collecting and delivering donations.  They will tell you what is needed and how it must be packaged. They are not taking any clothes! 

The TX wildfires continue to grow. The situation in Bastrop is very fluid. Over 1300 homes have been destroyed. About 50% did not
have insurance. Volunteers have only been allowed into a small area until the firefighters have the fire under control. As soon as we get word when and where volunteers are needed, we’ll let you know.  There is also hotline for volunteers and updates: 512-331-2600. 

Just got back from week in Joplin with team of 13 from N TX – great trip!  The team painted, sided, built, shingled, sheetrocked, and cleaned up – had to be flexible!  Lots of cleaning and rebuilding going on but much remains.  Hopefully we can take several more N TX Presbytery teams to support the rebuilding and Christ the King PCA’s outreach. Thanks to all who prayed for us and supported the trip.

The workshop at Faith PCA went well with people from four PCA churches and one Baptist church attending. Also, over 45 adults attended Sunday School to hear about MNA Disaster Response.  If you or your church would like to hear a similar presentation, please contact me at rlenz@pcanet.org or call me at 817-690-8107.

We will conduct a free disaster response workshop at Christ the King PCA in Norman, OK, on May 7th starting at 8:30 a.m.  Great information on preparing and responding to disasters both as a church and as a family.  Reserve your spot now by emailing rlenz@pcanet.org

Click on the “Tools” tab and checkout the tools available.   Sample presbytery and church plans, a family guide to disaster preparedness and a devotional guide for disaster response volunteers are now available – more to follow!  Also, note the presentations.  If you would like to take the disaster response lead at your church, you could give the presentations as an introduction.  Contact me for more information.

There will be a Disaster Response Workshop at Ft Worth PCA on Sat, Apr 2nd at 8:30 a.m. and one at Faith PCA in San Antonio on Sat Apr 16th at 8:30 a.m. Sign up at slanier@pcanet.org or rlenz@pcanet.org.