Several team members of a group from the Ohio and Indiana Brethren Church Conference, who had previously served with us in MS, joined us this week. Bill and Sam pastor churches with this conference, and they, along with Derek, Kara, and two other gentlemen assisted us in bringing some of our equipment from KY and MS.
Along with these long time friends and partners, several of our long-term volunteer staff arrived onsite. James and Mary came from MO for the week, and Steve and Lezlie and Mary Edna returned to join us in our long-term efforts. Alan also arrived, and will be serving long-term. We are beginning to see how God is forming this new team who will serve over the next months and year(s) here in Galveston.
We had several short-term local teams join us this past week. Debra and a team from Arbitron Ratings came from Houston, and were such a blessing, with their servant’s hearts and kind spirits. Zachary and Melinda are both from here on Galveston. They all have blessed us, and so many of the Galveston residents with their service.
Volunteers worked on projects here at the church, as well as homes in the community. One home where a lot of work was done this week belongs to Mary and Manuel Garcia. Their home is where they raised their children and lived for over 30 years, and now serves as their daughter’s primary residence. During Ike, they suffered water that flooding the entire first floor and two feet into second level. Everything was basically lost! Volunteers have been working to gut out the house, and kill the mold which has completely engulfed the entire house.
Mr. and Mrs. Garcia are senior citizens, and members of Church of the Living God where we are based. Mr. Garcia suffers serious health issues and disabilities. Without volunteers to assist them, they were not sure how or where to begin the recovery after the storm. Volunteer assistance has allowed them to find hope in the midst of the devastation. This past Sunday, Mary shared with the congregation at church how she felt that “angels” had showed up to help them! Her appreciate for the volunteers is beyond words.

Starting Relief in Galveston

Update 10/11/08
Tuesday morning, September 29th, our first volunteers arrived. The very next morning, the team arrived at Church of the Living God, Galveston at 10:30 AM, and by 11:15 the first lunches were being served. Praise God! Mouths are being fed, and lives are being touched.
Ginger, Mama Passarelli from Seattle and president of “The Soup Ladies,” served with our ministry many times in MS. She and two guys from the Seattle area were our first team in TX. Ginger’s knowledge, as a restaurant owner, was priceless in getting the kitchen set up.
As Ginger’s team packed up to head home at the end of the week, our next volunteers were arriving. A couple from Willis, TX, Bruce and Casey, have been serving with us since, and have been a true blessing to our ministry.
The next day, our first YWAM team arrived, and another storm hit the coast! Only this time, it was a “storm of blessings,” as things were getting done. Within the three days they served, I was amazed at all that was accomplished, and how different things look around the church. This group of young people were a great inspiration to everyone they came into contact with, and nothing was left untouched! YWAMers rock!!!
It has also been a week of reunion with old friends. Jim Heaton with Foundation of Hope, and some of the guys from CA stayed with us, as they were mucking out houses. It was great to reconnect, and we look forward to partnering with them on the relief efforts again.
God is moving and lives are being touched, with the love of Christ. We are serving around 250 meals per day, and that increases daily. It is such a privilege to be His hands and feet extended!
Story of the Week: Maria is a local resident, who lost everything. When I first met her, she was broken and very desperate for some baby supplies for her 10 month old son, Baby Sammy. She had lost her crib, along with everything else, and was needing somewhere for him to sleep, where he would be safe and not risk harm, as they were staying with friends who live inland since the storm.

I was touched, when Time Square Church from NY made a donation to help us meet this need. We were able to purchase a port-a-crib, high chair, clothing, diapers, and other baby supplies. Baby Sammy will be safe and happy now.

Vicki Weesner
Executive Administrative Director