Vol. 6: Special Edition 13
November 14, 2017

Click here for a printable bulletin insert or poster of this report

A team of volunteers in Houston

Hurricane Relief:
Loving Our Neighbors

by David Nakhla

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 10:25-37b (ESV)

How often do we have occasion to show love to our neighbor – really serve them?  Yes, we may provide the cup of sugar needed to complete a recipe or lend them our mower when theirs won’t start, but how often do we have opportunity to really come alongside our neighbor in the fashion the Lord described in the story of the Good Samaritan, the parable our Lord used to illustrate what it is to love your neighbor as yourself? 

A beautiful aspect of disaster response is that it provides that “Jericho road” opportunity, when we come upon a neighbor in a significant state of need, and they welcome us in to serve them, even with what little we may have to offer.

The updates below highlight how neighbors are being served by hurricane relief efforts on various fields. May I take this opportunity to thank you for your neighborly participation - financially, prayerfully, and physically. May these actions be a reflection of our Savior’s ultimate act of neighborly love that He poured out on us!

PUERTO RICO
Hurricane Maria Relief:
"A Need for Encouragement,
An Opportunity for Outreach"

Bradney Lopez, Dick Ellis, David Nakhla

"The biggest problem is the significant economic setbacks that individuals have experienced due to the devastation of the island’s infrastructure, including destroyed roads, loss of jobs, lack of electricity, water, and internet, etc. They are also experiencing the physical, mental, and emotional drain of living without the everyday western conveniences they always took for granted, as we do, while still trying to maintain western standards of living.​

"We would like to see individuals and teams visit Puerto Rico to bring encouragement and to assist in outreach opportunities. There are many occasions to point to the true hope found in Jesus Christ as many are wracked with despair over their circumstances."

Click here for the full report:

NAPLES, FL
Hurricane Irma Relief:
"For the Benefit of Our Neighbors"

Eric Hausler, Pastor, Christ the King OPC, Naples, Florida

"Because of the work that we were able to do on behalf of our neighbors, the reputation of our works of service and our church have risen significantly. We are praying for many opportunities to invite neighbors to worship the Lord and visit us at Christ the King OPC..."

Click here for the full report:

KEY WEST
Hurricane Irma Relief:
"Still There and Praising God!"

Joel King, Regional Disaster Response Coordinator, Key West, Florida

"The church sign is destroyed but a temporary banner hangs instead, telling the neighborhood that the church is still there and praising God! The Lord has already seen fit to use this storm for Keys OPC Pastor Bill Welzien and others to witness to neighbors and friends further, and our hope continues to be that the Lord would see fit to use this time to call others unto Him..."

Click here for the full report:

HOUSTON
Hurricane Harvey Relief:
"God Continues to Open Doors"

Steve Larson, Regional Disaster Response Coordinator, Houston, Texas

"In addition to helping families in our churches recover from Hurricane Harvey flooding, we have been introduced to several families that God has providentially brought to our attention in different ways. We were able to enter the home of one neighbor to help with drying out her home, which allowed us to pray with her and share our burden for her and the neighborhood. These kinds of conversations happen regularly and God continues to open doors for ministry and outreach through our hurricane recovery and relief efforts."

Click here for the full report:

California Fires Update

Update from the Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada

"The presbytery diaconal committee has sent our church’s diaconal fund some money to be disbursed for fire relief here at our deacon’s discretion. So far, we’ve been focusing on helping the PCA in Santa Rosa and the reformed Baptist churches in our area that have had members affected by the fire. Our deacons have also received a fire relief contribution from two other OP churches, one in our presbytery.​" -- Pastor Reid Hankins, Trinity OPC, Novato, CA

"Our church took an offering that is going to the PCA church as well." -- Pastor Mike Dengerink, Delta Oaks, Pittsburg, CA

Volunteers:

Many thanks to those who have served
with OPC Disaster Response
in Key West, Naples, and Houston!

Key West:

• Patricia Baldeo
• Peter Bartuska
• Mark Brintnall
• Matt Gertler
• Taylor Imperi
• Joel King
• Chad Mullinix
• Zion Needham
• Matt Neumann
• Elisabeth Neumann
• Eric Pastorek
• Jerry Poulette
• Rhonda Riffe
• Michelle Strassel
• Bonnie Sturgis
• Tevis Thompson
• “Rescue” Raun Treible

Naples:

• Andy Baker
• Alex Brummel
• Pete Faber
• Demadrea Fuller
• Donna Hausler
• Eric Hausler
• Tim Hausler
• Ryan Heaton
• Myron Palmer
• Jeff Rosendall
• Michael Smith 

And, the "Haitian Hurricane Heroes" (all brothers from one family!):

• Emildo Antoine
• Jephte Antoine
• Nehemy Antoine
• Pierre-Paul Antoine
• Standley Antoine
• Valdano Antoine

Houston:

• Dale Bickering
• Chris Bonner
• Jason Bonner
• Brian Brown
• John Buma
• Bob  Canode
• Lauren Canty
• Jim Cassidy
• Jason Chase
• Gloria Davis
• Jeff Davis
• Marcus Ditsworth
• Will Duff
• Steve Etheridge
• Joe Fraught
• Kurt Franje
• Dan Harp
• Anneliese Harriman
• David Hitchner
• James Hobbs
• Blake Hughes
• Colin Johnsen
• Kyler Johnsen
• Barry Johnson
• Jim Kozlowski
• Rebekah Kozlowski
• Forrest La Belle
• Steve Larson
• Kenley Leslie
• Sean McGinty
• Brian Murphy
• Alexander Patois
• Martin Pelayo
• Brad Salie
• Jason Schuringa
• Mark Sumpter
• Peggy Sumpter
• Cheryl Van Beek
• Chris Vander Zee
• Joe Vander Zee

Thank you, too, to those of you who have
scheduled a time to volunteer!

Volunteer Skills Needed

Update on what is needed at this time on these fields:

Puerto Rico:  

• Individuals or teams to bring encouragement to our OP churches and/or participate in outreach opportunities.

Key West: 

• Individuals or teams skilled in drywall, roofing, soffit/flashing work, electrical work, scaffolding/ladder work.

Houston:

• Individuals or teams skilled in taping and floating drywall, finish carpentry, or electrical work.

Volunteers with other skills, as well as unskilled volunteers, are needed, too! Click below for a complete list of skills and jobs.

Houston Volunteer Openings

Volunteers at Work in Houston

Poster:
Call for Volunteers

Click on the image below to print a Disaster Response poster you can use as a
bulletin insert or to post on your church bulletin board. Thank you!