Hope City Update – July 11, 2008
I hope you are enjoying your summer! It seems to be flying by very quickly, but good things are happening despite the steamy temperatures in Mississippi and Indiana.
Another homeowner moves in! Lois Parker is living in her new home that was built by hours of labor from volunteers working at Hope City in Gulfport, Mississippi. Lois moved in last week and the group from Pettisville Missionary Church from Ohio was part of the home blessing on Friday. About 40 people piled into her home and filled the living room, kitchen and hallway to pray a blessing over her home and her life. What a blessing!
Thank you to every volunteer and friend who worked and served as part of bringing this great day to fruition! God builds his kingdom through us just like these homes are built in Mississippi. He uses some to lay the foundation, some to frame the home, some to shingle and side, some to install drywall and others to mud and sand those walls to perfection. Through the work of the each one the church is built and grows and stands in the community as a testament to the blessing of the Lord.
I hope you can rejoice today in the blessing of the Lord which is manifest this week in a new home for Lois Parker.
Continue to pray for our other clients whose homes that are under construction. We have six homes that are about half way to completion and three other homes that are still in the foundation stage. We also have a number of other homes where we are providing repairs for the homeowners. Pray that our staff and volunteers would show the love of Christ through their work and service to our clients and to the community around them. We meet and connect with so many others through our work in Gulfport.
Casework and grant funding continue to be a challenge for some families in Gulfport. This week, county officials said that 4,000 families continue to live in FEMA trailers in Harrison County. Thousands of others have been moved into MEMA cottages which are considered “long term temporary housing”. The need for volunteer labor to rebuild homes is still a serious concern for HCRN and other agencies trying to help meet the continuing needs in Gulfport.
If you are interested in organizing a team to work at Hope City, we have space available this fall and winter. Please take the time today to e-mail or call Kevin Moss at kevinm@hcrn.info or 260-248-3493.
Indiana flood update: HCRN staff and Kevin Cox are working diligently in Indiana as 39 counties are part of the federal disaster declaration. Kevin has helped coordinate and begin the training for 16 different long term recovery programs that are needed around the state. HCRN has played a vital role in establishing these committees who will provide the direct assistance to thousands of Hoosiers who are not be covered by insurance for their losses from the massive flooding. Pray for strength and for wisdom as we provide help, hope and healing in these difficult circumstances.
Thank you so much for your prayers, your gifts and your financial support. HCRN and Hope City, Gulfport are funded by your gifts and donations. You are providing light and life to families and communities that are hurting and lost in darkness. Thank you for joining us in serving.
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Have a great week!
