We've Moved in Tennessee

We've finished our Needs Assessment in Jackson and have moved over to Gallatin to help another group with their NA. A lot of the homes in Jackson were homes with insurance and, right now, look like they would be covered. We did reach 310 homes and filled out 15 surveys. There will be more for the local comittee to get because some of these people were not home and green call back slips were left on their doors. There is a place in the Gallatin area here where the tornado was on the ground for 51 miles. We start here tomorrow (Tues) to knock on doors and the group also will man two walk-in centers. The leaders of this group said they did 16 surveys just today, which was their first day in the area. We'll work here through Friday and then take off to meet the Youth Group in Franklinton, LA on Saturday for a good week of work with them. We'll write more later. Love~ Doug & Mary

Second Week in Belle Glade

Hi, everyone. Well it is Saturday and another week is gone. Time goes by fast. We have a great group; Rich and Phyl are very busy keeping the group happy by giving them work to do! Also bring supplies to the jobs after many trips to Lowes. Dan is still coating trailer roofs. The roofs are very weak so they have to stand on ladders and put it on with rollers from the sides. Many of the other men are working inside putting up new walls and ceilings. Gerda and the painting group do the painting after the guys get done. It really changes the place. It is hard to imagine living in the conditions they have been for 3 to 4 years. Most of the people that own the places are Spanish. It is surprising how you can communicate with them by actions and gestures, and also many hugs. We will be praying for the young people of the church as they prepare to go down south for their mission project, too. God Bless all of you. We are so proud of you all. Love and prayers~ Rich & Phyl, Dan & Gerda

We Are in Jackson, Tennessee

We arrived in Jackson on Wednesday afternoon, but we didn't do a ride around until this morning when we began our Needs Assessing. We have an area out in the country, so we ride from house to house and stop at each to ask about their needs after the tornado. We covered about 7 roads today. Some people had very good insurance and are well on the way to recovery with a new roof or new siding. Then the house next door has the whole top floor gone or the next house is gone completely. Tornadoes do amazing things! It skips here and there and takes what it wants. The stories we hear are also quite something and they tug at your heart. But this is the Bible Belt, and the people and their Faith in God is amazing! The huge trees that have been scattered around just leave you in awe. I hope to have some pictures in a couple of days. We have some appointments tomorrow for surveys, so I am sure we will hear some more stories. Doug's leg is holding up but it is swollen at night. Thanks for remembering us in your prayers. Love~ Doug & Mary

Happy Easter from Belle Glade

We wish all of you a Blessed Easter!

We are all doing very well. Rich and Phyl have kept our team busy in 6 houses, and keeping supplies coming when the team needs them. Dan and Gerda put down a tile floor and that went well. Dan has been helping shingle a roof and also coated a trailer roof. Gerda worked on ceilings, mudding and painting. We hope each one of you are safe-- we heard you had a snow storm. We had rain yesterday but the rest of the week has been good. We will be praying for your safe trip to Tennessee, Doug and Mary. Love to you all~ Rich & Phyl, Dan & Gerda

Howdy from Belle Glade

Hi everyone: The four of us made it to Florida. Rich and Phyl got here Wednesday, and Dan and Gerda got here Saturday. We have a lot to be thankful for-- no storms or accidents! We are working for two rebuilt organization; C.R.O.S. and C.R.E.W. Rich and Phyl are the construction managers and they find the houses the organizations have set up to be worked on. Dan and Gerda are sent out to the homes and work on them with the rest of our group. There are 17 of us total. This morning we went to the Methodist church for their Palm Sunday service. Some of our group sang in the choir. This afternoon we went to take a look at the houses we will be working on in the morning. We will write you again soon to let you know how thing are going. Thank you all for your prayers! Love~ Rich and Phyl, Dan and Gerda

Happy Birthday!

I know you're not on a work site yet, but you will be soon in Belle Glade. We just want to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Do something nice for her, Rich. She's not only getting older but better. Have safe travels and we wish you God's blessings on this day! ~Love, Wes & Darlene, Dean & Carolyn, and Doug & Mary