Helping Tornado Victims

We have been blessed with a team of 5 guys from Faith Bible Church in the Phoenix, AZ area.  They got in contact with our church to ask if they could coordinate coming out to help the tornado victims in the area.  And you know us, we opened up our home to house them while they are here.

It has been Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  And the ride has been a blast and exhausting.  These guys drove 27 hours in 2 days to get here last Saturday!  And their humor and commodore has been great.  They started working out in Oatchee (or something like that...I'm too tired to find out the exact spelling).  Between yesterday and today they tore down the remaining structure of one couple's home:

They are using a winch to remove the last rafter.

 Men from our church helping remove nails from reusable boards.

AZ team removing debris.

AZ team, our church team (Andrew in front of Bill and I), and another team 

in front of the last wooden frame.

Cleaning up ladders and misc.  Now the family can build a new home on the foundation.  Woo Hoo!

Here are just a few photos of some other devastated homes around the same area:

And here is the base where volunteers come to get "marching orders", drinks, and lunch.  All operated and put together (including the tent) by other volunteers.  Was pretty amazing.

This is where they will be working tomorrow (July 20) to help sort through and throw away debris.  Lots of work ahead of them!  (I will be staying home with Josh and Andrew, but Bill and Robert will help out).

We have enjoyed having the AZ team here.  They have also enjoyed our lake and field:

One of the men playing baseball with Andrew.

Getting some fishing in.  Seems the duck want in on the action too!

It was  pretty exhausting today, but so worth it to help these folks out.  And now is the time to help when FEMA and other organizations have pulled out.  As you can see, there's still a lot to do.  Hopefully some of the people being helped will be encouraged.

The AZ team will be leaving Friday morning to head back to their homes.  Meanwhile we have enjoyed laboring and fellowshipping (especially the wonderful meals that our church family have been bringing over for us to enjoy!)  Tomorrow will be a Brazilian meal and we will also share some of our ministry videos.  We have enjoyed talking about ministry, both sides.  It's neat to see fellow believers work together for the common good.

Well, I wanted to update folks on what's been going on in our little part of the world.  Seems we never hold still.  Although, I am looking forward to some down time tomorrow while the crew is out working. 

 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21