Diaster Assistance

Disaster Assistance: Florida and Mississippi April 19 – 29, 2007

Injury to the spirit is hidden and painful for the heart.

For the past week or so, I have been working with others in disaster areas of Florida and Mississippi. Florida had tornado damage and Mississippi hurricane damage. The physical damage is evident everywhere. The spiritual damage is felt by the souls of those who lived through the disasters and the ones who are working with them to repair their souls.

Dave and Miriam Barrie are the Village Managers in Deland Florida. They are very loving and caring people. They are from Canada and have farmed and been missionaries in Malawi. Now, they have been called to serve the people of Deland and other local towns that were damaged from the tornados in February 2007.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Village is under construction with PODS for volunteers to stay and help. The progress is going slow to assist victims. Your prayers for relief and awareness of the needs of these individuals are needed. Help is also needed to complete the village. People in the areas that were destroyed feel left out and would love a cool cup of water.

After working a few days in Florida, Rob Dancy and I went to Gulfport, MS to join others from Bethel Presbyterian Church to mud sheet rock in Miguelina Ott’s home. Mig has been taken by contractor on past repairs not completed and is reluctant to trust. She survived the storm by climbing in her attic as the water rose, then to the roof. She slept in the attic the next morning and found her neighbor was not as fortunate.

Miguelina, her daughter and dog “Baby” are moving forward and need our prayers and support to continue to get on her feet. We were fortunate to work in her home and shared with her a prayer shaw and a quilt. These are small gift to let her know others love and care for her.

For me continued growth in the spirit of the Lord and that I have to trust in him. I can not understand everything and am asked to love one another each and every day with whatever I am asked to do.

Peace and Love,

David

PS: See more pictures