One Year

You most likely have forgotten but one year ago Ike crashed onto the shores of southeast Texas. It came in with winds of a category 2 storm but the surge of water was a category 4. Galveston County will never be the same.

Yes, alot of progress has been made over the past year. The photo shows how we used to work in the homes when we arrived. Thankfully nearly all the homes have been gutted, not all but nearly all. We are in the rebuilding stage with most.

As I think back over the past year alot of thoughts and emotions come into my mind.

I remember when the remains of Ike hit Indiana. We were there still working in the recovery of the June 2008 floods. First Assembly of God had planned their church picnic for that Sunday afternoon. The day started out beautiful, perfect for a picnic. But . . . the weatherman had been warning all of us that Ike had actually restructured himself and was headed our way by about 5pm. And oh how right they were. The picnic started at 3pm with the cookout to begin at 5. It did begin, along with the rain and winds that nearly blew us all from our seats. By 6 we all but gave up and headed home. Power lines were down and clear up north in Indiana we felt the effects of this storm!

By the time Monty and I arrived here in Texas by mid October we realized Indiana was blessed! But . . . this time we knew exactly what needed to be done, how to get it done and how it would look when it was done. God had taught us so many lessons after Katrina and those Indiana floods! Once again He called us to take that knowledge, combine it with more compassion and love and get to work!

One year later we have rebuilt some, blessed homeowners as they moved back "home" and continue working on more. We've seen thousands of volunteers and have them scheduled nearly to Christmas. We've watched God change both their lives and the lives of the homeowners. And He has changed ours . . . even more.

I am still waiting for the day when I physically see His Hands. I see them working through so many others but the day will come!

As you say your prayers this evening please include all those here along the coast who are still rebuilding; physically and emotionally. It will take more time, more money and more volunteers. But most of all it will take prayers!!

To those of you who have donated money, volunteered your own time and have prayed numerous prayers -- we thank you and the homeowners thank you! YOU are God's hands and heart and we are forever grateful!

Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty