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.