URGENT: WORKERS NEEDED

Sovereign Grace Homeland Missions Update

Our relief work continues here in the Slidell/New Orleans area. The Lord has answered our prayers by bringing to us the needy, both spiritually and materially. We have been ministering to the household of faith and to the lost, to the elderly, poor, and handicapped and even the upper middle class. The social stratum has been equalized by the providence of God. Ministering opportunities abound.

Our hearts are full of thanksgiving to God for all of you who have supported our relief efforts by coming to work with us, giving financially, and petitioning the Lord on our behalf in prayer. Our community outreach continues to grow and we need more help.

We are receiving more requests than we can handle. Unbeknownst to us, our name and phone number were given to the local television station and the newspaper resulting in an average of twenty calls per day!

The predicted crack has widened and as time moves on many are falling through it. Most have forgotten the hundreds and thousands of people who are still without homes, jobs, and/or resource. Insurance companies are slow, underpaying benefits and rejecting legitimate claims. Most have not gotten any funds. FEMA, while doing many good things, has still shown itself to be a mass of confusion and doublespeak. Hence, the local church continues to function interdependently through the aid of other Bodies as the primary non-government aid.

Our three main areas of concentration are as follows:

Work Crews

1. TREE WORK AND CHAINSAW TEAMS
Basic tree removal and limb clearing as well as a huge need to top damaged trees and remove stumps.

Specialty Needs

• Any experienced / professional tree removal personnel willing to donate time.
• Heavy equipment such as Bocats, track hoes, and stump grinders.

If you can assist in these areas or know of anyone who can please call us at (985) 643-8215.

Tools required Chainsaws, pruning shears, ropes, come alongs, crowbars, heavy work gloves

2. DEMOLITION AND DEBRIS REMOVAL TEAMS
Many homes still need gutting (Using crow bars, sledge hammers, and shovels to remove sheetrock, carpets, and house debris). Properties need to be cleared as well of miscellaneous debris.

Tools required Wheel barrels, crow bars, sledge hammers, flat shovels, utility knives, mold rated masks/respirators, disposable work gloves

3. EVANGELISTIC COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Physically going out to affected neighborhoods and meeting face to face those who have been afflicted by the storms. This involves assessing needs, setting up appointments for aid, and engaging in conversation. A unique and wonderful way to bring the word of reconciliation to the area.

Materials required We have tracts from Mt. Zion ministries and Justin Erickson as well as booklets from Jim Elliff and John Blanchard available to hand out.

WORK CREW SCHEDULING

We can house up to twenty workers dormatory style at once in our church building which has a full kitchen and shower. Three homes are available for use in the local area as well on a limited basis.

The ideal schedule is to have a work team come in midday on Wednesday and have a half day orientation. This would involve a tour of the area to see where we will be working and to get a feel for the devastation that the locals have been dealing with for weeks. Then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are work days whereby each crew is given work orders to complete. Sunday at 10:00am is our worship service and by noon the teams can begin to head back home.

Variations to this plan are of course acceptable as we do not refuse any help given. The above plan is what we have found works best as many of you have asked us about how a work crew would function once here.

We pray that the Lord provides us with ready hands for the labor ahead. If you desire to be a part of our work call us at (985) 643-8215 and let us know. We will coordinate a trip of any size and time frame.