The Hurry Up and Wait in Midland
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"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12
Volume 9 No. 6
June 17, 2020
- The Latest
The Hurry Up and Wait
in Midland
What used to be Sanford Lake behind the Moots' home is now virtually vacant of water. Remnants of docks and trees that used to lay under twenty-six feet of water are now all that is left behind after the dams broke.
Midland, Michigan
Not unlike other disasters, it's been a bit of a "hurry up and wait" game in Midland. Initially, the damage assessments needed to be made quickly, and then soon after cleanup help came for the Moots and Kennedys. But now things have slowed down as we wait for the homes to dry out, the skilled tradespeople to come in to strategize the rebuilding plan all while volunteer schedules formulate. We're excited for all of the volunteer interest this has provoked---we'll need the help and energy for the months ahead.
The Immediate Needs
Job Site Foreman
There is an immediate need for a Job Site Foreman in Midland, Michigan. Ideally, this volunteer would need to commit one to two weeks at a time, possibly tag-teaming with other foremen volunteers throughout the effort's timeline. Below is a description of the experience and availability this volunteer would need to have.
- Experience in construction is essential
- Handy (able to work alongside trades)
- Able to identify and solve problems
- Serve 1-2 weeks or more at a time (depending on the volunteer's schedule)
- Work closely with Site Coordinator
- Oversee teams
- Manage the day-in-day-out workings of a particular disaster site (homes)
- Interact with homeowners
- Ensure supplies are available for teams
- Available on-site (in Midland) when teams are scheduled
Skilled Carpenters
There is also a great need for skilled carpenters (ASAP) to pick up and continue the excellent work our first carpenter has done.
Does either of these describe you? Contact Sam Phillips: midlandvolunteers@opc.org
There are many more opportunities to come, so we have created a calendar of volunteers for the Midland effort. If you are a registered OPC DR volunteer, you can go to the calendar to see what dates are open and then fill out the form at the bottom of that page to let us know you would like to plan your trip! (Please don't make travel plans until your time slot is confirmed!)
We realize not all are called to leave their everyday lives to go rebuild flooded homes. But has the Lord blessed you in other ways that you can in turn share and bless others? Due to the many other matters that have gained our attention these days, we are not yet seeing the amount of giving to the Midland Flood Response Fund as we have seen given toward past disasters. And yet, the impact of this flood on the OPC is comparable to the large impact of Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Florence. As such, any donation toward this effort will be a great blessing to those affected. Checks can be made payable to "The OPC", designated for "The Midland Fund" on the memo line and sent to the OPC Office, 607 N. Easton Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA, 19090, adding “Midland Flood Response Fund” to the memo line.
The OPC Families in Need of Your Help
Rebekah, (Mom) Michelle, (Dad) Glenn, and
Andrew Moots
What Has Been Happening in Midland, You May Be Asking?
In the last several weeks OPC Disaster Response has been hard at work with the beginning phases of disaster response, serving two families: the Moots and the Kennedys in their time of need. OPC DR and the Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario assessed the situation and needs, oversaw demolition, provided equipment and filled several volunteer spots.
- Sam Phillips is the Volunteer Coordinator. Born and raised in Dover, Delaware, he went to school in Hillsdale, Michigan where he studied Classics and met his wife, Annie. Now happily married, they live in Goleta, California, where Annie is pursuing a Ph.D. in Classics, Sam works for a local non-profit (where he also coordinates volunteers), and the two of them are trying their best to keep up with their daughter, Willow. They are members of El Camino OPC. In the past, Sam has volunteered with several Mission to North America (PCA) construction crews in Alabama, New Jersey, and Georgia.
Linda and Tom Kennedy
- Mike Greene is the Site Coordinator. He has been a member of Christ Covenant OPC in Midland, Michigan for more than ten years where, among other duties, he chaired the building committee. He was an engineer at Dow Corning’s joint venture known as Hemlock Semiconductor, a company specializing in manufacturing components for solar power. His last project before retiring was overseeing a $2 billion expansion of the plant. He lives in one of the neighborhoods that was hit hard by the flooding. Thankfully, his house remained dry.
- Rhonda Sarafolean has graciously agreed to take on the job of Hospitality Coordinator for the Midland effort. Rhonda is married to Pastor Dave Sarafolean of Christ Covenant OPC in Midland and is the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Northwood University.
OPC Disaster Response CPR Fund
Mark Richline handing out food.
The Committee on Diaconal Ministries’ COVID-19 Pandemic Response (CPR) Fund has collected over $20,000 in generous donations to date! With these gifts, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries been able to respond to financial requests for assistance.
As we shared last month, gifts were sent to our brothers and sisters in Kenya and Uganda. Additionally, we have been able to send funds to Uruguay and Ethiopia.
The Richlines, in Montevideo, Uruguay, have been handing out baskets of basic food items and soap once a week. When their local diaconal funds for this ministry ran out, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries was able to contribute from the CPR Fund enough to continue this ministry for another six months. This has been a significant blessing to their community.
In Ethiopia, we have been able to send funds to provide basic food and household necessities to church members in rural areas. Due to COVID-19 regulations, many church members are unable to leave their homes and have no access to online means of communication.
Snapshots
Boardwalk Chapel: Training week #2 with Rev. Al Baker has finished up! The staff has been consistently going out and evangelizing, street preaching, and handing out tracts to all who are willing to accept. This week of "practical evangelism" has been beyond rewarding and helpful for the staff.
News From the Short-Term Mission Fields
- Boardwalk Chapel: There is a 3-week training session going on right now. Anyone is welcome to contact the Chapel about attending their training sessions, or about coming for any length of time for any of their openings this summer. They are excited to see how this unusual summer plays out.
- Asia: Praise the Lord for raising up a missionary associate to Asia! Due to COVID-19 regulations, and not being allowed back in the country after her service, she will be serving remotely online. She will begin teaching next week continuing through the beginning of August.
- Key West, Florida: Pastor Bill Welzein reports that the beaches are open as of June 1st, and that he will be back to open-air preaching as soon as people start arriving in Mallory Square. If anyone is interested in leading a team in open-air evangelism this summer, please contact Pastor Welzein directly. He is open to having teams but will need to coordinate directly with them based on the COVID-19 regulations at the time.
Check our website for updates for each of these mission fields.
Short-Term Missions
OPC Disaster Response
Committee on Diaconal Ministries
David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and
Disaster Response Coordinator
215-935-1007
david.nakhla@opc.org
Trish Duggan
Communications Coordinator,
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Trish.duggan@opc.org
Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Sarah.klazinga@opc.org
