Hurricane Irene Relief Jacksonville, NC 2011
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Just as there was some uncertainty as to where Hurricane Irene would finally
hit, Curt and I headed to North Carolina not knowing exactly where we would
end up. We packed the truck and trailer, picked up Brian Brodil, who has
traveled with us before, and Saul, a friend from the Barnabas House, and
headed north. We arrived in Wilmington, NC around midnight, just as winds
were picking up and rain was being driven sideways. We were blessed to stay
with Pastor Mel from CC Wilmington and his boys for two nights while we
waited out the storm.
Wilmington suffered minor damage, so after one job, we headed to
Jacksonville, NC, home of the Marines’ Camp Lejeune. There we met Pastor
Greg and his wife Cory from Calvary Chapel Jacksonville and their
wonderful congregation. We asked if we could stay at the church, but Pastor
Greg and Cory took us into their home and cared for us like family. We were
all touched and inspired by their selflessness and generosity in
accommodating us. They are true servant leaders.
During the first week, we were joined by Bob Ball, who had attended our
hurricane training in Sarasota in May. Our first job was to clear a tree that
had fallen across the road. Because it was tangled in the power lines, we had
to wait for a go-ahead from the county. A cul-de-sac of homes had been
blocked in since Saturday and it was now Monday. The neighbors really took
care of each other –one made coffee each morning, one with a generator
made meals, and they all checked on each other. The couple whose tree had
fallen across the road was Del, a retired Marine gunny on oxygen, and
Jackie, who was in bed because of multiple health issues. We hooked up a
generator for them so they could have refrigeration and a few fans. Del was
in tears as we took care of the tree. We loved hearing his military stories,
and Brian really enjoyed talking to him. We could see Del’s countenance
change and relax as the yard was cleared.
After Bob left, a van full of Bowery men arrived. They were put up in a house
that a family in the church is trying to sell–it was empty but the utilities were
still on. Several families stepped up to loan air mattresses, linens, etc., and
to prepare meals for the guys. The seven men were a huge help to us, and
we enjoyed daily devotions together. Many of the guys really asked some
thought-provoking questions as we studied God’s Word together to see what
He had to say on some real life issues!
In two weeks, we completed twenty-two jobs. The majority of the damage
came from trees that had fallen on houses, or across roads, driveways or
fences. Sometimes, it was only the four of us working, but at other times we
had as many as twenty people on one job site. We were tremendously blessed
by Stephanie Allen and her children, and Kelly Anderson and her children.
They just kept showing up to help out! Abi, Izzy, and Skyler raked, dragged
large branches, and pushed wheelbarrows. Christian, Clay, and Richey got
right in there and seemed to think the bigger and heavier the log, the better.
Dahlia was my own personal hug support. The homeowners always seemed to
be affected by the kids. The adults were great, too. Stephanie organized
meals for the Bowery guys and cooked us a delicious chicken dish. Kelly
baked treats for everyone. Terri, Glenda, and Jennifer not only made lunches
for us, but also delivered them to us at different job sites. Hiedi made us
lunch and we enjoyed fellowship under her trees. Tom (Navy) and Jim
(Marines) worked with us and also connected us with some very strong
recruits who always seemed to show up just when we were starting to tire
out. We were honored to serve alongside those who serve our country and
risk their lives for our freedom. All told, over fifty volunteers came from
the church or came through someone at the church to help us.
It is always interesting to see how the Lord leads on these trips. One day,
God sent us six Marines to help out, but the job we had lined up was canceled.
I prayed, wondering why we had all this help but no job. It turned out that
one of the Marines knew someone who needed help so that was where we
went! We had to have the Marine in order to have the job! Another day, we
were finishing a job in Maysville. I called our next job, which was back in
Jacksonville, and the homeowner told me it was pouring there. Since it was
not raining in Maysville, Curt drove around to look for another job there. He
hadn’t found anything and was just about to give up when the Lord urged
him to go a little farther. Sure enough, he found a house with a tree across
the driveway. He knocked for a long time before anyone answered. (Later,
Cynthia told us she almost wasn’t going to answer the door!) Cynthia was
very discouraged because nobody in her neighborhood had come to see if she
was okay. We were able to share that God saw Cynthia’s need and came right
to her doorstep with help. Her mother, Madie, was a born-again believer who
encouraged us with her love for the Lord and charismatic personality.
We also saw God’s leading among our team. It has been awhile since Brian
has traveled with us, so we marveled that God “just happened” to send Brian
on this particular trip to the place where he was once stationed as a Marine.
He had some opportunities to share that we did not have since he had the
military background (and the haircut). He also turned out to be an excellent
tool guy. Saul was skilled with a chainsaw (in fact, his name has been
modified to Sawl) and worked tirelessly all day long. Bob was a great help to
us, and was also greatly encouraged in his own walk with the Lord through
the fellowship and sharing that took place during the week. The Bowery guys
attended Clay’s high school football game, and Kelly said (with a few tears)
that it really touched her heart and Clay’s.
We met many wonderful people in Jacksonville. We really felt like CC Jax
was our home church, and found it very difficult to say goodbye. We feel like
we made some special friends in the church and the community. We wanted
to take Stick and Debbie Lewis, a couple whose home had a tree through the
roof, home with us! We are especially excited because the church body at CC
Jax really seems to have caught the vision for continuing the work that was
begun—they are the remnant who must continue to encourage and disciple
those who have heard the Good News. (There have already been follow-up
visits and cookie distributions!) Pray that the Lord would bless and multiply
the good work that is being carried out in Jacksonville, NC; that the seeds
that were planted would bear much fruit; and that those who blessed us with
love and meals and accommodations would be blessed a hundred times over
for their kindness.
hit, Curt and I headed to North Carolina not knowing exactly where we would
end up. We packed the truck and trailer, picked up Brian Brodil, who has
traveled with us before, and Saul, a friend from the Barnabas House, and
headed north. We arrived in Wilmington, NC around midnight, just as winds
were picking up and rain was being driven sideways. We were blessed to stay
with Pastor Mel from CC Wilmington and his boys for two nights while we
waited out the storm.
Wilmington suffered minor damage, so after one job, we headed to
Jacksonville, NC, home of the Marines’ Camp Lejeune. There we met Pastor
Greg and his wife Cory from Calvary Chapel Jacksonville and their
wonderful congregation. We asked if we could stay at the church, but Pastor
Greg and Cory took us into their home and cared for us like family. We were
all touched and inspired by their selflessness and generosity in
accommodating us. They are true servant leaders.
During the first week, we were joined by Bob Ball, who had attended our
hurricane training in Sarasota in May. Our first job was to clear a tree that
had fallen across the road. Because it was tangled in the power lines, we had
to wait for a go-ahead from the county. A cul-de-sac of homes had been
blocked in since Saturday and it was now Monday. The neighbors really took
care of each other –one made coffee each morning, one with a generator
made meals, and they all checked on each other. The couple whose tree had
fallen across the road was Del, a retired Marine gunny on oxygen, and
Jackie, who was in bed because of multiple health issues. We hooked up a
generator for them so they could have refrigeration and a few fans. Del was
in tears as we took care of the tree. We loved hearing his military stories,
and Brian really enjoyed talking to him. We could see Del’s countenance
change and relax as the yard was cleared.
After Bob left, a van full of Bowery men arrived. They were put up in a house
that a family in the church is trying to sell–it was empty but the utilities were
still on. Several families stepped up to loan air mattresses, linens, etc., and
to prepare meals for the guys. The seven men were a huge help to us, and
we enjoyed daily devotions together. Many of the guys really asked some
thought-provoking questions as we studied God’s Word together to see what
He had to say on some real life issues!
In two weeks, we completed twenty-two jobs. The majority of the damage
came from trees that had fallen on houses, or across roads, driveways or
fences. Sometimes, it was only the four of us working, but at other times we
had as many as twenty people on one job site. We were tremendously blessed
by Stephanie Allen and her children, and Kelly Anderson and her children.
They just kept showing up to help out! Abi, Izzy, and Skyler raked, dragged
large branches, and pushed wheelbarrows. Christian, Clay, and Richey got
right in there and seemed to think the bigger and heavier the log, the better.
Dahlia was my own personal hug support. The homeowners always seemed to
be affected by the kids. The adults were great, too. Stephanie organized
meals for the Bowery guys and cooked us a delicious chicken dish. Kelly
baked treats for everyone. Terri, Glenda, and Jennifer not only made lunches
for us, but also delivered them to us at different job sites. Hiedi made us
lunch and we enjoyed fellowship under her trees. Tom (Navy) and Jim
(Marines) worked with us and also connected us with some very strong
recruits who always seemed to show up just when we were starting to tire
out. We were honored to serve alongside those who serve our country and
risk their lives for our freedom. All told, over fifty volunteers came from
the church or came through someone at the church to help us.
It is always interesting to see how the Lord leads on these trips. One day,
God sent us six Marines to help out, but the job we had lined up was canceled.
I prayed, wondering why we had all this help but no job. It turned out that
one of the Marines knew someone who needed help so that was where we
went! We had to have the Marine in order to have the job! Another day, we
were finishing a job in Maysville. I called our next job, which was back in
Jacksonville, and the homeowner told me it was pouring there. Since it was
not raining in Maysville, Curt drove around to look for another job there. He
hadn’t found anything and was just about to give up when the Lord urged
him to go a little farther. Sure enough, he found a house with a tree across
the driveway. He knocked for a long time before anyone answered. (Later,
Cynthia told us she almost wasn’t going to answer the door!) Cynthia was
very discouraged because nobody in her neighborhood had come to see if she
was okay. We were able to share that God saw Cynthia’s need and came right
to her doorstep with help. Her mother, Madie, was a born-again believer who
encouraged us with her love for the Lord and charismatic personality.
We also saw God’s leading among our team. It has been awhile since Brian
has traveled with us, so we marveled that God “just happened” to send Brian
on this particular trip to the place where he was once stationed as a Marine.
He had some opportunities to share that we did not have since he had the
military background (and the haircut). He also turned out to be an excellent
tool guy. Saul was skilled with a chainsaw (in fact, his name has been
modified to Sawl) and worked tirelessly all day long. Bob was a great help to
us, and was also greatly encouraged in his own walk with the Lord through
the fellowship and sharing that took place during the week. The Bowery guys
attended Clay’s high school football game, and Kelly said (with a few tears)
that it really touched her heart and Clay’s.
We met many wonderful people in Jacksonville. We really felt like CC Jax
was our home church, and found it very difficult to say goodbye. We feel like
we made some special friends in the church and the community. We wanted
to take Stick and Debbie Lewis, a couple whose home had a tree through the
roof, home with us! We are especially excited because the church body at CC
Jax really seems to have caught the vision for continuing the work that was
begun—they are the remnant who must continue to encourage and disciple
those who have heard the Good News. (There have already been follow-up
visits and cookie distributions!) Pray that the Lord would bless and multiply
the good work that is being carried out in Jacksonville, NC; that the seeds
that were planted would bear much fruit; and that those who blessed us with
love and meals and accommodations would be blessed a hundred times over
for their kindness.
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the
darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10
darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10
