Disaster Relief Team
I don’t know why God allows natural disasters to destroy homes, communities and even lives, but in all my years of disaster relief work, I have come to believe it is to give others the opportunity to serve and minster to those suffering during one of the most difficult times in their lives. It is during these times when people need to know, or maybe just be reminded that God loves them and is still in control.
The Living Hope Disaster Relief team was created just for that purpose – to be a serving ministry to the hurting and to offer relief so they can experience God’s grace and love.
When floods, tornados, hurricanes devastate a community or when there is an unexpected event that damages a home or creates an undue hardship for a family, the DR team responds. We respond to large disasters by teaming up with Samaritan’s Purse and Eight Days of Hope. These organizations identify the need, ask for help and we go. We have worked at disaster sites in Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee….. They provide the resources and we provide workers.
But we are also ready to handle needs in our local community. When homes in Germantown flooded several years ago, we showed up to help homeowners that did not have flood insurance (why would you, its Germantown). We tore out floors, walls, swept debris, just anything that would help the homeowners see a light at the end of a long tunnel.
And just last weekend when the storm threw trees on houses, and entire communities were inaccessible because of downed trees and power lines, the Living Hope Disaster Relief team members showed up to help. We cut trees to clear driveways, cleared yards, handed out food, and contacted community leaders and the mentioned DR organizations to make sure they were aware of the need.
More importantly, we showed our neighbors that God loved them and sent someone to help them, both physically and emotionally. We pray for and with these families. And the blessings flow both ways – being a blessing to those in need also blesses the one serving the need.
Tee Meeks - Disaster Relief Team