Visiting with Janet Gillingham of Long Beach, MS – a former short term crew member and friend. Even with damage to her home, she has been hosting some of our relief and response teams on the Gulf Coast as they serve those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
CBM Hosting Relief Team Article
Caribbean Mercy hosts Relief Team from Tyler, Texas
This article is from a local TV story by Molly Reuter, reporting on KLTVMercy Ships is doing it’s part to help in the hurricane relief effort. It’s Caribbean Mercy ship is down in Mobile, Alabama housing volunteers working in the disaster areas, and the ship was just at the right place at the right time.Jerry, Sam, Craig and Jeff are a diverse group of guys. One’s a judge, the other a construction worker, but they all had the same goal, to get to the Gulf Coast.”We were trying to go down to New Orleans because there was just so much media on New Orleans and our hearts were just breaking for these people,” said Craig Carter, volunteer. “We tried for like two weeks, but the door just kept getting closed.” But as they always say, when one door closes another one opens.”One of the guys in the group called me and said Mercy Ships is looking for a team from Tyler, so we jumped right on it,” said Carter. Mercy Ships docked their Caribbean Mercy ship in Mobile, Alabama last January for repairs. That’s where it was when Hurricane Katrina came rushing in.”We evacuated the crew and it was actually eleven days after the hurricane came that the water subsided,” said Ciaran Holden, Chief Engineer of Caribbean Mercy ship. When it did, the ship’s crew saw an opportunity to help.”It was ideal because on board the ship we have a lot of diesel on board, so we can generate our own electricity and we have fresh water,” said Holden. “We could use the Caribean Mercy more or less immediately to house relief teams coming into the area.” The crew from Tyler took advantage of that option.”The beds were comfortable and we had hot water and the meals were good at night,” said Sam Griffith.”Ships are built for shorter people,” said Carter. “We bumped our heads a few times and I have no padding, so we had a few knocks.” It’s not the living conditions they say they will remember the most. It’s the time spent cutting trees and building houses for those that needed help.”You go down there to help people, but you come away like they helped you,” said Carter. “They just made your life better through the experience.” Now these four guys are not done helping.
Molly Reuter, reporting. [email protected]
Charisma Magazine
There is an article in Charisma on Pastor Dan – we have been partnering together with him in Alabama to assist the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. The web address is: http://charismanow.com/11-22-05/
Dustin & Evan in their rockers
My nephews – Dustin & Evan – sons of Mark and Lisa. They are in the custom made rockers I had made for them while in El Viejo, Nicaragua. I enjoy talking with them on the telephone and hear about what they are involved with. Evan has just finished flag football and Dustin with Cub Scouts.
Fusion Missions Conference
Representing Mercy Ships at a missions conference near the Dallas Forth Worth Airport. Put on by rightnow.org targeting the 20 and 30 somethings who are interested in missions. Great to share with many of our mission & personal experiences. I remember well that the time I heard about YWAM Mercy Ships was at my bible college in ’85. I pray that the time will bear fruit in the lives of those interested in serving in world missions.
New CD – Live Recording
This morning at Community Christian Fellowship (the church right next to the Mercy Ships base here in Texas) we had a LIVE recording with Paul Baloche for a new CD. We have been learning the various new songs over the weeks and together we worshipped God as they recorded the live worship. They are thinking the title of the CD will be ‘To Sing a Greater Song’, it will come out next year. I was here when he did his first recording, ‘He is Faithful’. Most of you know I don’t sing very well and so you will be pleased that I seriously doubt if they heard me at all.
Motorcross Swan MX
Attending a local event – Swan Motorcross – motorcycle. Took the Kronester children – Jan, Jana, Ken and Kim Anna. For each race we would go to a new location to watch. They spent most of the time flying through the sky – it was exciting to watch for all of us. I had not been to a similar event since going with my brothers and Dad.
Well Drilling Rig
Checking out the well drilling rig with Bob Atkinson – his wife Maggie and him donated the funds for the purchase of the rig in honor of their parents. We used the rig with our well drilling programs for a couple years and haven’t used the last year or so. We had a time of re-dedication as the rig will be placed in a container and sent to the Africa Mercy and will be heading to Ghana, West Africa to provide fresh water in some already identified 38 sites.
Pupusa Grande
What is a pupusa? It is to the El Salvadorians what hamburgers are to the Americans. Made from MASECA corn mill, it will have cheeses, vegetables and sometimes chicken in the middle. My friend Lilian and her husband invited us to dinner at her house. She is El Salvadorian by birth and raised in California. She is married to Ciaran and they have one daughter. We all enjoyed the time together. Lilian is teaching Alicia how to make them. Reminds me of our time in La Union, El Salvador in ’99 and ’00.
Desk Location in Education
My work station where I serve with Udo and Alicia as we are finalizing the proposals for the Caribbean Mercy. Sometimes it can be a little loud and so I put my headphones and listen to the radio over the internet – something I just learned about in the past couple months – as on the ship this is not possible due to our satellite connection.