The Bellvue area in particular was one of the hardest area’s hit in Nashville. “In a matter of 30 minutes, everything you worked for, everything you thought was valuable, it all looks like trash,” said Hill, a 39-year-old surgical technologist and mother of four. The family’s furniture, clothes, bedding and rugs sat in the front of their north Nashville home, soaked and contaminated by the dirty water. She said there was no chance at saving any of it.

Eager to respond, the Bellevue Church of Christ has established a relief operation. They have already been helping some of their own members, but are beginning to be overwhelmed. Please volunteer or donate to this important effort.

Video of Bellvue… >Video Link (click here)

Conditions there are very bad.  The landscape is bleak.  Parts of the area look like a giant hand has come down and smashed all the buildings flat.  Part looks like that giant hand just swept everything away.  Other areas look like “normal” flood-damaged land–ruined homes with a bizarre variety of debris littering house and yard.  The water is not safe to drink.  Electricity is still out in many neighborhoods.  The only aid available on the peninsula has been at the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department, where three volunteers from other states have been giving out cooked meals, bottled water, and any other donated supplies on hand. They have spent time not only cooking and running the distribution center, but also sitting and talking with anyone who came in, letting people cry out their despair, and sometimes offering to help with clean up.  Mike and Eva 1 and Eva 2, thank you.  Thank you for the example you set for everyone who crossed your path.  Thank you for your servants’ hearts.  Thank you for feeding the Hilltop Rescue volunteers hot lunches.  We will miss you as you pack up and leave for home.

Conditions there are very bad.  The landscape is bleak.  Parts of the area look like a giant hand has come down and smashed all the buildings flat.  Part looks like that giant hand just swept everything away.  Other areas look like “normal” flood-damaged land–ruined homes with a bizarre variety of debris littering house and yard.  The water is not safe to drink.  Electricity is still out in many neighborhoods.  The only aid available on the peninsula has been at the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department, where three volunteers from other states have been giving out cooked meals, bottled water, and any other donated supplies on hand. They have spent time not only cooking and running the distribution center, but also sitting and talking with anyone who came in, letting people cry out their despair, and sometimes offering to help with clean up.  Mike and Eva 1 and Eva 2, thank you.  Thank you for the example you set for everyone who crossed your path.  Thank you for your servants’ hearts.  Thank you for feeding the Hilltop Rescue volunteers hot lunches.  We will miss you as you pack up and leave for home.

Associated Press journalists based in Port-au-Prince said the damage from the quake – the most powerful to hit Haiti in more than 200 years – is staggering even in a country accustomed to tragedy and disaster.

Read more….
      Healing Hands Responds (click here)
 

There are occurrences in all of our lives that defy logic. There are moments that define our day as well as moments that define our purpose. I would like to share with you one such moment.

Wednesday in Shoreacres was a “normal” day as relief work goes. After almost 2 weeks of trying to synchronize our schedules we finally got to assist Terri with cleaning out her house and yard. A very stoic and self-sufficient woman, Terri’s heart was softened considerably by the Southeast coC (Aurora, CO) youth group’s enthusiasm. The work went quickly and it was evident that we would finish by lunchtime. My full intention was to use this time to pre-run ahead of the team’s job schedule to insure that the upcoming jobs were as reported.
As I ran (yes, ran) to the truck  my cell phone rang. I paused to answer so that the oh-so-very annoying warning alarm of the truck wouldn’t disturb the caller (or me) only to notice that during this pause that one of the kids had an item that Terri wanted to save. After correcting this I started once more for the truck. Sitting on the seat was the Release form for the homeowner to sign. I ran back to the house again to get the signature. Sprinting to the truck like a man half my age (cough, cough) I reached for the keys when I remembered that Terri had some new shovels that we were using and they would surely be mixed up with our tools. Terri said as I entered the house “Ain’t you gone yet?” No, but I asked her to watch for her shovels and hugged her once more. On my way at last -except that I turned left out of the driveway instead of right and was going the wrong way. Sigh.

About 4 doors down I spotted a semi-clear driveway to turn around in but there stood a short woman pushing a very full wheelbarrow of moldy drywall. I hit the brakes, rolled down the CRANK windows on the truck (none of them fancy push-button things for us) and asked if she was the homeowner. Yes, she said, with sweat rolling off her face.
Would she like some help with her house, I asked?
“No, I couldn’t afford that.”
“But this help is free, there is a gaggle of teenagers a few doors down.”
As the look on her face turned to disbelief, I backed up the street to ask the kids and sponsors if they would help, and help they did. As I finished my errands they moved furniture, took out drywall and cleaned up the mess. Only later did I learn that her young daughter was very seriously ill and  in the hospital. It is my understanding that she and her husband and family take turns staying with her and cleaning up the house from the flood, in which they lost most everything. The kids were touched deeply and one later offered a book she had brought as a gift to take to the daughter, since all hers were ruined. Grateful tears came to this woman and the volunteers alike.
My point is this: Had my grand plan of getting these IMPORTANT things done for the Lord gone even remotely like I envisioned, I never would have met Edith Sanchez. Five seconds in any direction would have caused our paths to miss.
At least now I know who is really making out my itinerary!
Praise to the One whose ways are higher than our ways!
Ed Perry