Texas Tornadoes

Many have been praying for and wondering how to respond to those affected by the tornadoes that ripped through DFW this week. You may have also heard that flooding and hail last week did a lot of damage in the Rio Grande Valley, one of VRBC's mission partnership areas, as well. Here are some opportunities to work with VRBC mission partners to serve those most affected by the storms:

TEXAS BAPTISTS DISASTER RECOVERY

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!

 

Texas Baptist Disaster Recovery

Marla Bearden, Disaster Response Specialist

Chris Liebrum, Disaster Response Director

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Long Term Recovery Missions Opportunities

Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery - Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus to those who need a touch from God...

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

 DISASTER RESPONSE FUNDING IS NEEDED...
We are experiencing the largest Disaster in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in many years. Funding will be needed to assist with responding by Texas Baptist Men and Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery. Please go to www.texasbaptists.org/give click on Disaster Response. Or mail checks to the BGCT, Disaster Response, 333 N. Washington, Dallas, Texas 75246.

There will be many volunteer opportunities. Once these are discovered we will keep everyone informed. Texas Baptist Men and Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery are engaged with the State of Texas and the (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) in this response.

Volunteers are needed now at the following places:

• To Volunteer in Lancaster contact Spencer Harvey at 972-978-5918 of the Lancaster Public Safety Department. He will be coordinating volunteer opportunities and making assignments. The volunteer Reception Center is located in the Lancaster Public Library, 1600 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Lancaster, TX.
• Volunteers are needed in Forney. To volunteer contact Mustang Creek Community Church at 972-564-4250 located at 13851 FM 548, Forney, TX. This church is coordinating volunteer opportunities and giving orientation to assist volunteers.
• Donations are being accepted at Mustang Creek and the churches listed below. Go to the Forney Disaster Relief Facebook Page and click on docs for an up to date list of the items that are needed and where to take them.

*Please call before traveling to these towns to volunteer or bring donations. Volunteers and donations will be needed for many weeks. If you are traveling from out of town you will need to be sure of lodging.

18 Tornadoes Hit DFW April 3, 2012

Currently Disaster Response, Texas Baptist Men, are responding to needs in the Lancaster area with a feeding unit. Chain saw units are standing by. Some areas are still assessing the damage and do not need volunteers right now but that will change. We are working to discover any churches or church members affected and volunteer opportunities. Please call Marla Bearden at 214-537-7358 if you have any information about needs and volunteer opportunities in our Texas Baptist Family.

 

Watch for more information on this Disaster Recovery e-news letter as the days and weeks progress into this recovery.

Flooding and Hail in The Valley in McAllen, Texas.

On the evening of Thursday, March 29th a huge rain and hail storm struck the city of McAllen with flooding and 6 inches of hail, 1,100 homes and businesses were affected. The Director of Missions with the Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association is working to coordinate volunteer opportunities. Many elderly folks homes were flooded and are in need of assistance with clean out, removal of furniture and boxing up home goods. If you can volunteer call Robert Cepeda at 956-371-8516 or email him at rgvdom@gmail.com Volunteer housing and meals will be at the Rio Grande Valley Retreat Center at a cost of $120 per week.

Click on the link below for news stories from local news about our Texas Baptist Response to McAllen.

http://www.krgv.com/news/volunteers-helping-woman-with-storm-damaged-home/#.T3uZmdWylG4.email