Updates
Mississippi Relief Update - September 16, 2005
Friends:
Following is a brief update from Mississippi District Superintendent,
Rev. Rob McDonald.
Victory Praise and Worship Church of the Nazarene
in Pascagoula is now open as a distribution center for supplies for
the neighborhood. After being submerged in 3-4 feet of water Disaster
Relief Teams have removed the sheet rock, flooring, platform area,
sprayed for mold, and inspected the structure. The gymnasium area
is now open to disperse goods that Nazarenes and Christians have donated
from around the country.
Meridian Fitkin Church of the Nazarene continues
to feed up to 100 daily. The Red Cross who had been previously providing
the food has ceased. They are in the process of helping these stranded
evacuees from the New Orleans area.
Hattiesburg First Church Staging Area is beginning
to wind down as the needs are reduced and the community gets back
to some semblance of normal. They are dispersing supplies into rural
areas in proximity to their city.
Laurel First Church of the Nazarene Staging Area
is still supplying much needed food, baby supplies, toiletries and
the like to needy neighborhoods.
Laurel Bresee Church of the Nazarene had a 150
foot tree fall on the back side of the church. It took a crane to
assist the removal of this old tree. They suffered roof damage and
it is being repaired by a team from Kansas.
Crossroads Church of the Nazarene continues to
be our hub of activity on the coast. They are hosting Disaster Relief
Teams from around the country as they come in and commit to work.
We have over 50 teams who have come or are in the process of coming
to assist in the clean-up areas. Their parking lot was covered with
supplies. We have been able to get 90% of them to neighborhoods in
need or to our distribution centers.
Columbia Church of the Nazarene sustained some
roof damage. A team from Sarasota, FL First Church of the Nazarene
brought supplies, fixed the damage and did extra work around the state
before heading back.
Gulf Coast Family is a Staging Area for food and
supply distribution. There have been teams working on that church
and pastor's residence from Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, California,
etc.
Diaster Relief Teams have also stripped and gutted the entire Nazarene
church facility at Long Beach. We are now able to get special passage
permits to get work teams into the area. A family from California
donated an RV to assist the pastoral housing arrangements until the
house can be reconstructed. It will enable the pastor to stay onsite
as reconstruction begins.
Needs:
We could use a larger camper, 5th wheel or RV for our pastor at
Gulfport. The insurance company told them not to re-inhabit their
parsonage until it was deemed safe.
As we are getting ready to rebuild, one of the great needs is sheetrock
and roofing materials. Any donations would be appreciated.
We encourage you to continue your prayer support for these hurricane
victims and urge you to send support for the relief efforts. Persons
and churches wishing to make a donation for relief efforts can mark
their checks payable to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene
with "ACM1801 Hurricane Katrina Relief”
in the memo line.
 On-line
using VISA or MasterCard- OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
- and mail to:
General Treasurer
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131
- In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
- and mail to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office
will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.
NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the
individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand
that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want
to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in
projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.
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