C4C Brings Hope in the Midst of Recovery
We have a new look in our format, but this is minor compared to the exciting things that have been happening around here over the past week. It is so encouraging to see things being done, and lives being touched.
We have had a great week of serving those who are hungry with meals, cleaning up debris, gutting homes, and skilled construction projects. Our volunteer staff- Mary Edna, Chris, Steve, Lezlie, Vance, Ryan, and myself - have been overseeing the operations here on Galveston, and coordinating short-term volunteers.
This week, we have had the Nipper family, volunteers with FriendShips, serve with us. Elena, Danielle, and Lorna are from Texarkana, TX, and were here for the week. They were such a blessing to our kitchen staff.
Meryle Lee-Gregory, daughter of Gwen Lee who had served with us several times in MS, brought a group of ladies on Thursday from the Houston area. Meryle, Chrissy, Wendy, and Bessanne all have children who attend the same school, and came down to help on the island while their children were in school. They worked in the kitchen, and plan to bring more volunteer teams on a regular basis, to assist in the kitchen. They were so refreshing and a blessing in the kitchen.
We also were blessed by two wonderful guys from Florida, Steve and Sheldon, as well as very entertained. They have done everything this week from opening cans for our ladies in the kitchen to the repairs and rebuilding here at the church. They were great teachers, and even taught Chris some greatly desired drywalling skills. They brought humor to the atmosphere, and will be welcomed back in January when they plan to bring a team to work on houses. We can hardly wait to hear the new jokes they have mastered by then.


In addition, Lakewood Church, Houston, blessed us with a group of 27 youth and their leaders on Saturday. When they arrived in Galveston, they were ready to conquer the world, and it was quite an experience for these young people to demo a couple of houses. One young man was overjoyed at the thought of taking a sledge hammer to the interior doors which were covered in mold, while others were overwhelmed with the sadness of witnessing so much loss.
It is sometimes bitter-sweet, to see so many hurting, yet be so blessed with so many who will give up their own luxuries and conveniences to come and serve their fellow man. Our motto has always been “Many Churches, One God” and what a joy it brings to the many hearts, when God’s people can come together in His name and meet practical needs while touching lives and hearts.
Some of our special blessings this past week…. Dreyers donated 6 pallets of ice cream!.... We celebrated Chris’ “half birthday” since we got some ice cream cakes!!!... The sanctuary of the church has drywall rehung…. Chris has new skills in the drywalling industry…. And we’ve had FUN!
We still need help with our Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches. Volunteers, turkeys, potatoes, yams, breads, butter, milk, pies, 3-compartment “to-go” containers, hams, baking supplies, and cash donations are needed.
In addition to that, we have committed to assist with the local Toys for Tots distribution. We are collecting new toys, wrapping paper, candy, cookies, hot cocoa, crayons, printer ink, photo paper, etc. for this even. We are also in great need of volunteers who would like to assist us in these efforts, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, of making this year’s Toys for Tots events the greatest it has ever been on Galveston Island. Please let us know if you can partner with us in these efforts.