Gail DeGray: October 6, 2024
It is impossible to prepare for a storm like Hurricane Helene. The depth of devastation caused by this storm continues to boggle our minds many days after its landfall in Florida and its tromp across southeastern United States. Like many disaster responding organization, Reach Global Crisis Response is beginning by assessing the needs and the opportunities that God may put in our path. We know that by planning carefully and acting prayerfully the Lord will lead us to the people and places where we can provide needed assistance, build long-term relationships, and share the love of Christ with those in need.
The first objective of ReachGlobal Crisis Response is aways to “Restore the Body of Christ”. Our leadership team has been reaching out to churches in impacted areas to find out how they are doing and how we might come alongside to help. They are focusing their attention in two directions – Florida, where we have been serving since Hurricane Ian, and western North Carolina.
Our friend Ryan has taken a small team to a EFCA church in Mills River, NC, about 30 minutes south of Asheville. They are helping as needed and seeing if God has more for us to do there down the road. Until power and water are restored to the area, we cannot bring volunteer teams in to help even though the needs are great. Please pray that connections with local churches will lead to opportunities to share the love of Christ in western North Carolina.
Last weekend and again this weekend, Bob traveled with Katrina and Eloise to connect with EFCA churches around Tampa, an area impacted by the damaging storm surge. Northwood church in Clearwater has seen both their need for help and the opportunity to enter the mission field that is created in the wake of every crisis. This week conversations are on-going and the trip this weekend was an opportunity to provide training and help the church organize their assistance efforts in ways that are both relational and sustainable.
In the meantime, the work in Fort Myers is continuing and even expanding. One of the homeowners we helped after Hurricane Ian flooded again in Hurricane Helene. Several members of our staff have been able to come alongside this couple once again to support, encourage and continue to share the love of Christ as they clean up and start rebuilding – again! Just down the street there are several more families that had water in their homes – just a few months after finishing up their Ian repairs. Ugh! A crew of staff and local volunteers helped them remove the damaged flooring and make their home somewhat “liveable” as they wait for their insurance company to initiate their claim. Bob had the opportunity to work alongside Lynn and Wanda, two homeowners we helped following Hurricane Ian – two lovely women who want to pass the blessing they received along to others.
Although we are distressed along with those who have been impacted by yet another storm, we are asking the Lord to use us to serve Him in on the holy ground of suffering. Hard times invoke hard questions about the goodness and power of God, and we have written a Bible study that addresses such questions with compassion and grace. Our hope is to begin a new Bible study group in this neighborhood that God has brought us to for a second time. The opportunity did not present itself during our last season of service there, but now the time seems right. Please join us we pray for opportunities. Our desire is to invite men and women to turn toward God rather than away in their hour of need, for He alone is able to bring help, hope and healing to wounded hearts and lives.
If you would like to participate in the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts you have several options:
1) Come and serve with us! ReachGlobal Crisis Response is actively serving in Florida, and is making plans to serve in western North Caroline. For more information about coming to serve, just drop us a note or give us a call! Gail 281-797-8932; gail.degray@efca.org; Bob 281-787-7130; bob.degray@efca.org.
2) Give to our ministry with ReachGlobal Crisis Response. Gifts sent to our ministry account enable us to travel, live and serve in places that are impacted by crisis. One-time or monthly gifts are always welcome. Here is our link: The ministry of Bob and Gail DeGray
3) Give to ReachGlobal Crisis Response Hurricane Helene Fund . These funds will be used to serve hurting people in the mission field that follows crisis. EFCA Hurricane Helene Response