A team of 8 people spent 5 days in Iowa, doing disaster relief work following the recent floods there. The team was composed of Jamey Killingsworth, Lloyd Boone, Janet Luisi, Karen and Don Webster, Gale Koven, Tem Marshall and Paul King. Gale Koven is from this area and her parents treated the team to a wonderful dinner at their home one night. Our work assignment was mostly cleanup of debris and other yard work. We worked on 17 different properties while there. A Presbyterian church hosted the team and made the trip very enjoyable for everyone. Ask anyone of the team about the Mission trip if you would like to know more.
MBUMC has a long history of providing timely help when disaster strikes! Over a decade ago, south Georgia had a streak of tornados and floods. Mt. Bethel bused teams to Albany among other places, to clean debris and chainsaw fallen trees. Some of our members, including a Youth Team, went to the Florida panhandle after Ivan to help down there. Our members sent a truckload of gifts to Pennsacola the following Christmas.
We all remember the response to Katrina, sending truckloads of bottled water and other donations to Gulfport, MS and sending numerous teams, twice weekly for the first few months. We are still helping to rebuild on the Mississippi coast.
Our latest efforts are in flood ravaged Iowa. We donated 200 flood buckets that we have been storing and are now planning on collecting 400 more. You can help by writing a check for $50 or by shopping for the supplies yourself. Go to www.umcor.org to find the list or stop by the “bucket table” outside the Sanctuary or CAC on Sunday morning.
We have already sent Paul King to Iowa to “scout” for us and are sending our first team to Iowa on August 24 to 29. If you want to go, please pay $225 by August 3 so we can purchase the tickets. Contact the Mission Office at 678-560-7527 if you are interested in joining a team.