stories
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
Vicki Windham
I was blessed to go on a mission trip August 28 thru September 4, 2021. The team, made up mostly of people from Oklahoma, went to Monjas, Jalapa, Guatemala representing the James Project of Latin America.
We lived on site at the orphanage, Shadow of His Wings. The home currently has 90 children who have come from a variety of difficulties such as physical/sexual abuse, neglect, human trafficking, and loss of both parents. Shadow of His Wings’ hope is that children will come to know Jesus and serve Him. Their hope is that the children will live for Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and therefore change their community!
Our team had multiple mission activities such as VBS, evening worship services, a Women’s conference, visiting the needy, and working on their multi-purpose building. It was so wonderful to see so many women and children coming to the Lord!
Prior to the trip, we raised funds for food distribution for the needy in the community, including a generous gift from Living Hope. The team bought food and supplies at the local markets and then organized tubs to carry the items. We prayed over each tub and each home where food and supplies were delivered.
Our team worked hard and I felt very thankful that God used me. I would love to visit the friends that I have met there and this wonderful country again.
- Vicki Windham
901 Roasted The Next Chapter: Coffee Sourcing and The Church by Andrew Banker
Since the birth of 901 Roasted in 2016, the focus has been bringing the freshest, highest quality coffee to the forefront of a coffee cup near you. The communities producing these fresh green (unroasted) beans have been on our hearts at 901 Roasted. Pairing our love for fresh roasted coffee and Gospel intentionality has led us to a partnership with Living Hope Church in Memphis, TN. Connecting missions to coffee has been a dream now becoming reality. Through church connections, we met our friend Jared Orrico in 2019. Jared, who also has a passion for coffee and the Gospel, has planted an Acts 29 church in Xalapa, Mexico. He runs a coffee shop Reformanda Barra de Café sourcing coffee beans from local farms to support the local community. After a short pandemic wait, 901 Roasted Founders Andrew and Savannah Banker along with Alan May are going to explore direct sourcing of coffee beans and ministry connections among the coffee growers and their families in May 2022. Each bag of coffee purchased will directly support the channeled relationship to our friends in Xalapa. No need to sugar coat. It’s that good. 901 Roasted is proudly served at Happy Glaze Donuts in Germantown, TN and The Ginger’s Bread & Co. in Memphis, TN.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/901Roasted
