Hurricane Harvey Relief: A Long-Term Proposition

Vol. 6: Special Edition 12
October 20, 2017

Hurricane Relief in Houston:
A Long-Term Proposition

by Steve Larson
Regional Disaster Response Coordinator
Presbytery of the Southwest

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,
and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 (ESV)

Our desire here in Houston is to respond in some way to everyone who asks for help. In the spirit of Galatians 6:10, we seek to do good to all, and especially to those within the household of faith.

Although the scope of what we can do may sometimes be limited by available labor or finances, there are always opportunities to visit people and offer spiritual care and assurance that there is a God who offers hope in the midst of discouragement.

With every family we help, we make it clear that we labor for them in the name of Christ and for the glory of God.

No End in Sight:

We are so thankful for the many volunteers who have already come to Houston from all over the country, and to those who have indicated their interest in coming at a future date. We have also been blessed by many donations of materials, supplies, and funding.

But, we definitely see Hurricane Harvey relief as a long-term proposition. We continue to be contacted on a regular basis by individual homeowners seeking help, and there is no end in sight.

Please prayerfully consider how you may be able to get involved! See our volunteer needs, below, and feel free to contact us at HarveyVolunteers@opc.org with any and all questions.

Just a sample ...

... of many volunteers ...

... at work in Houston!

Volunteer Opportunities in Houston

The current need for volunteer help is from those with reconstruction skills such as:

installing insulation
hanging/taping/floating drywall
carpentry
electrical
cabinet making
installing tile
wood flooring and carpet
painting including texturing
installation of plumbing fixtures and appliances

Unskilled volunteers are also welcome as there is much lifting, moving, and cleaning up to do.

If a church wishes to send a group, we can potentially focus their efforts on a single project, if there's a match between the skills needed and the skills offered. If the group comes with their own resources (materials, tools, funds), all the better!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at HarveyVolunteers@opc.org, or click below:

HarveyVolunteers@opc.org

Houston:
Shared Work, Prayer, and Generosity

by Mark Sumpter
Regional Home Missionary, Presbytery of the Southwest

Two OPC Volunteers from Arizona work with homeowners in Houston

What do you get when six OPC volunteers join a family of four for a brief moment of reflection on the hard work accomplished in their home the day before?

A brief season of thanksgiving to God!

The group included two of our deacons, one of whom led us in prayer. Then we gave the family a door-step gift bag of Bible reading resources, gospel booklets, and a $25 gift card, before we left.

The family comes from a Roman Catholic background. As two of us headed down the driveway, the wife caught up with us. She wanted a hug. She teared up, and said, “I can’t believe the help we’re getting.”

She not only had in mind the reconstruction work we'd done (our OPC crew worked alongside this family, shoulder to shoulder, putting in insulation and hanging dry wall), but the additional gift cards they'd received to purchase building materials at a local home improvement store.

Jeff Davis, our current Site Coordinator in Houston, commented a little later, “This is exactly what we want our outreach to look like — sharing the work with a family, combined with generosity in the name of Christ.”

God is answering prayer!

A travel way for storm water behind this family's house overflowed, resulting in 3 feet of water in the home. Photos show water as it began to recede, and then fully receded.

In other news ...

Update:
Key West

Joel King, Regional Disaster Response Coordinator, reports that Keys OPC Pastor Bill Welzien was impressed with the amount of work a combined team of OPC and PCA volunteers was able to accomplish in just a few short days!

A friend of Bill's who doesn’t normally attend Keys OPC was so overwhelmed with the support shown to him that he came to church the following Sunday!

Key West Update

Update:
Naples, FL

OPC Pastor Eric Hausler of Naples, Florida, reports that his team of local volunteers recently tarped a roof that was damaged in Hurricane Irma. They are also busy clearing away debris for people facing steep fines if it is not removed soon.

"We are thankful to be able to serve our neighbors in this way!"

Naples Update

Update:
CA Fires

OPC Pastor Reid Hankins of Novato, CA, reports: "I praise the Lord that none of our church members have suffered any property loss in these fires, despite several close calls."

CA Fires Update

"Now we begin the work of trying to help our community rebuild, and especially to minister to our fellow saints from other congregations in the area who have suffered much loss ..."

Current Opportunities
in UGANDA

MISSIONARY ASSOCIATE

Mark and Carla Van Essendelft, will soon join the OP Uganda Mission and will need a Missionary Associate to join them in Uganda to help with household duties like cooking, cleaning, babysitting, homeschooling, shopping, etc.

All inquiries about Missionary Associate service should be directed to:
Rev. Douglas Clawson
Associate General Secretary
Committee on Foreign Missions
douglas.clawson@opc.org

TEAM OF THREE SKILLED MEN

The OP Uganda Mission is seeking a team of three skilled men to travel to Uganda for one week or more to refurbish and make repairs to two of the missionary residences in Karamoja.

All inquiries about this project should be directed to::
Rev. David Robbins
OP Uganda Mission
davidandrashel@gmail.com

Click below for further detail on the skilled team:

Skilled Team Needed in Uganda

Hurricane Relief Resources

Contributions To Date

The OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries has received over $350,000 for relief efforts for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria! Thank you!

Donate

You may contribute financially to Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria relief by CHECK or ONLINE.
Click below for further information:

How to Donate

Volunteer

Contact our Volunteer Coordinators for information on how you can provide skilled or unskilled labor in response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria:

How to Volunteer