August 29th Update

Hope Crisis Response Network – August 29, 2008

Today is the somber anniversary of the most devastating natural disaster to ever strike the United States.
Beautiful weather is gracing Gulfport, Mississippi today and yet a cloud of fear is wearing on the minds of many residents.  Today marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and Hope City, Gulfport will host a barbecue and worship service to share hope with the community.

However the threat of another powerful storm is over-shadowing the thoughts and actions of many local residents.  A recorded message went out Thursday to Mississippi residents from Governor Haley Barbour and it portrays the sentiments of so many.  He said, “We are praying for the best, but we must prepare for the worst.”

Hope City Camp Directors Monte and Kim Brenneman are hosting friends and volunteers in camp for the dinner tonight, but today Kim said local residents are very scared.  Several have already called and said they are leaving town today to be out before the evacuations might be required.  Gas prices are jumping about 20 cents a day and lines are long at local stations.  Lines are also long at local grocery stores and they are running out of basic supplies because of the fear that is setting in.

Forecasters are still leaving the projected path for Hurricane Gustav wide open and urging residents from Texas to Florida to prepare.  They do expect the storm to become a category 3 storm as it moves through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Please pray today for the Gulf Coast residents.  This is a dangerous and frightening time for them.

I also have very tragic news regarding the Wetzel family. Ken and Dawn Wetzel have worked with HCRN and other volunteers since the moments after Katrina, they live in Biloxi and were informed by police this week, that Dawn’s sister was killed at her home and then the home was set on fire to cover up the murder.  Her boyfriend was arrested Thursday in Florida and is the main suspect at this time.  They are reeling today from this terrible news.

Volunteers from Hope City went to their house Thursday and helped them board up and prepare for the possible hurricane.  The Wetzels will leave Saturday to return to Houston where Ken’s father is hospitalized in the final stages of terminal cancer.  The men also helped the salvage what they could from the burned out home.  They did locate several important documents, including the property deed in her car, rather than in the home.  A miracle in the mess.

Please be in prayer for Ken and Dawn and their three children.  Our hearts are so heavy for them at this time.

I was almost hesitant to send this update today, because of the sadness it includes, although I believe it contains very important information for our friends.

So I am reminded that God is always faithful. He is our refuge and strength.  Thank you for your prayers today and each and every week along this journey.  Hope City is a blessed place.  God set it apart for ministry following Hurricane Katrina.  Thank you for being part of this ministry and this blessing.

Be blessed today!  We love you!

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46:1-3, 6

August 18th Update

Hope Crisis Response Network – Update

A tropical storm is churning across the Caribbean today and experts say it will soon  cross Florida.  Please pray that the storm would diminish and not grow in strength.  Please pray for protection for Hope City, Gulfport.  We are not currently in the path of this storm, but the storms this summer have moved rapidly and gained in strength as they have approached land.

The hot Mississippi weather is continuing but the teams have been doing a fabulous job on the various projects that we have open at this time.  Teams are struggling a bit though because the ice machine is not working correctly.  Please pray that the problem can be corrected as cool drinks are VERY important!

A great team was in camp this week from Pine Ridge Church Michigan, St. John’s Church and from Woodburn Missionary Church, who also had a great time in camp last week.  The teams have been painting at Ira Rowell’s and Orlanda Booker’s.  They began the framing work at Carolyn Raymond’s and installed siding Cheryl Henry’s and Orlanda Booker’s.  They are also installing trim work at the Morse and Rowell home.

Volunteer teams this summer have made tremendous strides in building on these homes and we are so thankful for all the time and talent that goes into each home.  Thank you for bringing teams to Gulfport and helping with all these great projects.

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!

August 29th, the Third Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Please be our guest as we remember the past, celebrate the present and
share Hope for the future.

Dinner and worship beginning at 5 p.m.

We would love to have you in camp for this anniversary.  There is no charge, come down to Gulfport, stay in the bunkhouse and visit with friends and family as we consider what God has done in the days since this devastating storm.

We want you to see the progress, celebrate the restoration and see what is still to come.

Call 228-896-2811 and talk to Monte or Kim or email valerie@hcrn.info for more information.

Gulfport Prayer Requests: Please pray for the Morse family as they are struggling with some disappointments and illness with family members.  Pray for Richard Waite, he needs direction as they consider how to care for some family members.  Pray for Rushell Williams… He has a MEMA cottage and so does his elderly brother, but his paperwork appears to have been misplaced by the case management agency for the third time.

Indiana update: Recovery work is progressing very well in Indiana.  Eleven long term recovery programs are underway and poised to provide help and assistance to nearly 17,000 Indiana residents affected by flooding this year.

Thanks again this month to WBCL.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to share the work and ministry of HCRN and I always enjoy my visits with Jim and Phil.

As for the Cox family, we’ve sent Travis off to college.  He’s settled in at ORU in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Classes are underway and he’s been cast in his first college production.  School starts this week for Jordan and Megan as well.  I pray that your back-to school activities go well too.

God has a special plan for you and for me.  I pray that you walk in his plan for you, because all of our lives, in every season, God is working and he is always faithful!   Thank you for sharing part of your life with HCRN and Hope City.

We are blessed for being connected to you.  Thank you for your prayers!  Thank you for your love!  Thank you for your financial support.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Have a great week!

August 1 Update

Hope City Update – August 1, 2008

Can it already be August? The summer is going so quickly, back to school is right around the corner.

Another truly great week of work and blessing at Hope City in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The group in camp this week is made up of teams from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ohio; Lakeview Church, Michigan and Warsaw Community Church, Indiana. They have worked together beautifully!  They installed framed and installed windows at Joe Lewis’s house; installed siding at Cheryl Henry’s, painted, drywalled and sided at Orlanda Bookers; painted and cleaned at three other homes as well.

They even got to bring new furniture to Brenda McDonald’s home. She’s been living in the house for about six weeks, and they were still sleeping on the floor because she couldn’t afford new furniture.  Finally, Hope City Camp Director Monte Brenneman was able to obtain some items for her from the local warehouse and the group this week also paid for some additional items, like a bed frame and mattress, a kitchen  chairs.  Brenda is opening up to the volunteers and requested prayer this week for her sister who is beginning cancer treatments.

Last week’s team from Fellowship worked so hard and accomplished so much on several work sites.  They laid block at Carolyn Raymond’s home and even spent one afternoon packed into the tool trailer because of a heavy downpour!  They framed, sided and painted and were generous in giving of themselves to the community as well.

Our summer intern, Kody Currier headed back to Michigan and will be missed in camp.  I understand that little Sophie Brenneman was especially fond of Kody and kept track of him around camp.  Thanks for your work this summer and continued blessings on your life!

The volunteers come to Hope City and pour out living water from camp, into the homeowners and into the community. The work and the love is forever changing lives in the name of Jesus.    From Camp Director Kim Brenneman came this note today:  This week’s team has been amazingly giving: of themselves, of their riches and of their love for the Lord.  They have been the hands and feet of Jesus… another footprint on the heart of Gulfport and Hope City.

Thanks to all our volunteers, your work and your generosity is so amazing!

Indiana Update: The work in Nappanee is just about officially over.  The long term recovery committee held their final meeting this week and expressed their thanks and appreciation to so many who helped in the recovery effort.  New Beginnings Assembly of God hosted a celebration on Sunday as they were thankful for their progress since the tornado destroyed their building.  They purchased a former school, brought in volunteers for renovations and have a neat facility.  Operations Director Jeff Fater was part of their celebration as they were able to burn their mortgage on Sunday and are looking forward to new growth.

The southern half of Indiana is adjusting and learning to work together through eleven long term recovery committees that are assisting the thousands of Hoosiers who were affected by flooding.  Recovery is moving forward and state leaders are beginning to use technology to help expedite meetings and trainings via video and the internet.  HCRN Director Kevin Cox has been facilitating some of the state-wide trainings this week.

Rev. Bill Lepley from Grabill Missionary Church, one of our partner churches, has been preaching this week at Prairie Camp in Elkhart and I’ve had the privilege to hear several of his sermons.  He’s focused on what the Jews consider the greatest commandment.  They say this to start their day, end their day and during any difficulty or challenge.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength….Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mark 12: 29-31

Have a great week!