Dear friends in Christ,
 
In a recent e-mail from Dale and Jean Peercy, LDR Construction Coordinators,
Jean writes that "Summer has ended and schools are in session, football the
big discussion topic for many and our homeowners are waiting for the much
needed volunteer to help with the repairs needed on their home. It has been
over a year since the first flood left its water mark, followed by another
water mark for many in September and October, as well as a tornado to mix
things and resources up really good. There are projects funded-some still
waiting on funds to arrive, volunteer housing is available, but where are the
volunteers? Many are taking care of disasters closer to home, some even their
own. Dale and I are working on more estimates as well as projects as we can,
but we need the help that comes from the smiling faces and Received: from ELCA52-MTA by elca4.elca.org
        wicaring hearts of
the volunteers across the country to give us a hand."
 
Recently Susan Kim wrote a fine article for www.disasternews.net entitled
"South TX needs volunteers."  I would like to share her words with you:
 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<start of Susan Kim article>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
SOUTH TX NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
SUSAN KIM 
 
SINTON, Texas (October 8, 2003) 
 
When floods hit the southeastern Texas coast – and they often do – the
Rev. Bill Jackson often has to help his congregation cope with the effects. 
 
Jackson, pastor at the Sinton Presbyterian Church, said flood damage seems
almost inevitable. "In this area, they allowed people to build homes where
homes never should have been built," he said.  Sinton, in San Patricio
County, is part of a flat coastal area that bears the brunt of hurricanes,
tornadoes and thunderstorms. 
 
And just up the road in Nueces County, recovery is still underway from a
trio of disasters in 2002 – floods struck in July, Tropical Storm Fay hit
in September, and a tornado touched down in October. 
 
More than two years later, the area needs volunteers, said Dale Peercy of
Lutheran Disaster Response. 
 
"We have only two volunteers for the rest of the year," he said. 
 
Local churches and disaster response teams are working through a group
called the Disaster Recovery Interfaith of the Coastal Bend. The organization
has a warehouse located in Robstown, just north of Corpus Christi. 
 
The group has funded repairs for at least 12 homes, and it already has
building materials for six of those, said Peercy. 
 
"We just need willing workers," he said. 
 
The Disaster Recovery Interfaith of the Coastal Bend is also working with
Mennonite Disaster Service and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
to recruit volunteer teams. "But there is nothing definite yet," said Peercy.

 
During the summer – when volunteerism usually peaks – southern Texas
didn't see much action. "There were so many disasters in everyone's home
state, or one state away from people, that the folks who usually travel
across the country to help us out traveled nearer their home," Peercy said. 
 
Many residents in Robstown are particularly vulnerable, Peercy said. "This
is a really poor community," he said. Many homes were in a state of disrepair
before floods even hit, he said. 
 
But the Disaster Recovery Interfaith of the Coastal Bend is trying to use
its limited funds to focus on disaster-related repairs, he said. "We try to
keep that as our priority," said Peercy. 
 
Peercy suffered his own setback a year ago when he was helping with flood
recovery in Houston. Someone stole his whole truckload of tools. 
 
But with the help of Lutheran Disaster Response, local churches and
volunteer groups, Peercy has restocked his tool chest. It shed a new light on
how people who lose everything to a flood must feel, he said. 
 
"I can relate to people who lost personal items in floods," he said. "I
still remember how my favorite tools felt in my hand." 
 
The Disaster Recovery Interfaith of the Coastal Bend has a small warehouse
in Robstown where donations of building mater
ials are gladly accepted. "We
can always use stuff like drywall," said Peercy. 
 
And monetary donations are another welcome option, he added. "We have
another 40 homes we're ready to go estimate," he said.
 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<end of Susan Kim article>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Your help is needed.  As Jean Peercy continues in her note, "Repairs to a
home can be done by a contractor, but the helping hand of the volunteer is
where the true healing from disaster begins. The difference comes from the
heart of the volunteer. By listening to the story of the homeowner, as they
survived and discovered that the Lord really does care, by calling each of us
into our own mission, of spreading the gospel by our actions and only using
words if we have to. Anyone interested in giving a little of themselves to
the many in need please call Jean Peercy . We have projects for teams up to
15-20, a variety of skill levels, and experience."
 
To Volunteer:  Call Jean Peercy, at 361-767-7608, or e-mail her at
[log in to unmask] 
 
To provide financial support, send your contributions designated "Texas
Floods" to 
 
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response 
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764 
 
 Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
 Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster 
 
LC-MS World Relief and Human Care 
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
 
 Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438 
 
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
 
Gilbert B. Furst  (Written on 10/15/03, at 3:00 PM)  Director for
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (Division for Church in Society) and
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631  PHONE: 773-380-2719 
Please visit our websites:    www.ldr.org    www.elca.org/dcs/disaster