108

108. That’s how many plain white FEMA trailers sit on the lot. They are located about two blocks down the street from our church building. These are people who have no home left. No yard in which to place a FEMA trailer. Some of them have been living with friends or family. Some have come off the Holiday cruise ship with nothing but the clothes on their back. Now they are gathered together … one hundred and eight families … just down the street from us. We are now trying to get the basics into these trailers as people move into them. Sheets, pillows, blankets, utensils, groceries, cleaning supplies, mop, broom, Bible and an invitation to worship. A small inexpensive set of cooking pans will also be needed. Electric skillets are very helpful. These supplies are now taking priority. It would be great to have a brother who could go door to door and pray with these people. I was thankful to have my friend Otis Bowman to visit with me this week. He left for home tonight. Otis helped Margaret put together a table and four chairs at our house. He also put in some door knobs and helped me deliver some appliances. He helped install an ice machine donated by the University Church of Christ in Conway, Arkansas. Thanks, Otis. And thanks, Sandra, for your work at home while Otis was away. Pray for Cecelia, who has sacrificed to send us supplies ... but had a car wreck this week. Pray also for Danny Dodd, who is on a mission trip to Guyana. A church in Newton, Alabama sent some nice blankets. Then in a second box there were several containers of instant coffee, a few bricks of Folgers coffee, Swiss Miss Instant Cocoa and some York Peppermint Patties. The note said: "Who says coffee's not a necessity? Didn't know what kind of chocolate. Enjoy!!" Now I do not know the name of anyone at Newton, Alabama - but they sure do know how to bring a smile to this man's face! Thanks!!! Well, there’s always a story to tell. I don't know the details at this point, but there are about 1400 people living on the cruise ship Holiday at the Port of Pascagoula. Some of those people didn't have shoes, so David took some shoes out there today. We have requested to hold a worship service on the ship on Sundays. Pray that God would open that door. Although it's a cruise ship and they are fed three meals a day, it is hardly luxury. The local paper is reporting that the police have been called out to have to deal with disturbances on the ship. It is hardly a Holiday to be on that ship. Because of a mention in the Magnolia Messenger, we may be getting some help from Tupelo, Mississippi. More on this later, but if you'd like to adopt a family for Christmas - this is the time to let that be known. More on this later, but I am trying to locate a Christian who owns a furniture store that can offer deep discounts and/or donations of couches, loveseats, and other furniture. As people's homes are repaired, they are emptied of furniture of any kind. Someone call me on this and let's talk about a truck-load of furniture. Here are a few sites where you can see pictures and videos of Hurricane Katrina: http://www.katrinahelp.com/index.html http://www.stormvideo.com/ CURRENT NEEDS: *New: size 1-2 diapers - we have not had any for a long time now. This seems to be the size most requested. Pull-Ups are also requested often. *Volunteer workers, both skilled and unskilled. Carpenters, plumbers, roofers, electricians, sheet-rock hangers, and painters can all be kept very busy! We can use ladies and those who are older to sort clothes, load the bus for bus runs, and go with us on the bus runs. *Ministers who can give up several days to come and pray with the community members, conduct Bible studies as available, and fill in on work as needed. *Youth ministers who can bring their teen groups (mature teens willing to serve, please) for one or two days on the weekends. *Small electric heaters *Towels, Sheets, Pillows, Blankets *Deodorant *Laundry Detergent in boxes or bottles we can give away easily. (Note: The big 5 gallon buckets of detergent are nice, but we would rather have smaller quantities to spread it further!) *Plastic tableware (forks, knives, spoons) and napkins. The FEMA trailers come with no items such as these. *Snacks, drinks, and other foods that can be kept in our Dining Hall for workers as they labor here on a volunteer basis. *Cleaning supplies (pine sol, mops, brooms, buckets, etc.) *Delivery Truck. At some point State Farm will come get our totaled church bus and we will need a delivery truck with shelves to make daily deliveries through our neighborhoods. This is from the "I doubt anyone can help with this, but it doesn't hurt to ask" department. *Large Print Bibles - thanks to James Guy and the Demopolis, Alabama Church of Christ we no longer need these. Will let you know if the need arises again! *Chocolate and Coffee. I do promise to share ... some of it! *Dont' know what to send? Send Wal-Mart or Lowes gift cards. They can be used to purchase a wide variety of items as needed - and can be passed on to needy people on occasion. All of my contact information is to be found at http://www.123jesus.com/. My picture page is located at: http://community.webshots.com/user/jedobber I appreciate everyone who reads. Thanks for your interest!