More on Flood Relief and Recovey

Here are some updates that I am sharing with my church, Two Rivers. Let me encourage you to watch the video I posted earlier this week for more details.

This is a video of our the community where the church is located and is serving. It is called "Pennington Bend" and was one of the hardest hit in the area.

Many people have contacted me and asked how they can help. I have shared lots of details with my church and let me share them with my blog readers. You are welcome to join in and help. Actually, we want and need you to help. More details are at our flood relief page including our staff contacts.

Good Morning America is broadcasting from the church Friday morning. Some of the things I share will be mentioned there. Some have already been mentioned in other places. Here is an update combining what is now a daily email that I send out to the whole congregation. Yes, much of the media coverage will focus on the fact that we are hosting the Grand Ole Opry as they are without a home, but I am hopeful that many more notice and participate in our disaster relief efforts.

Here is a combined version of what I sent out to our church family the last couple days:

Dear Church Family,

Wow, it has been an amazing week. We have a lot of things going on and are making decisions fast and furious. We want to see God at work in this challenging time.

Let me say first that our staff is doing an amazing job. They are all pressing ahead to share and show the love of Christ in this difficult time. They are working long hours to get everything done.

We don't wish a flood on anyone, but we know that "God works all things together for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). We believe that God wants to use this tragedy to for his glory-- and we will do so best by joining Him on his mission right now.

Let me share with you a few things that you will notice very soon.

Samaritan's Purse and Volunteer Opportunities

Samaritan's Purse, an international aid organization which is headed by Franklin Graham and best known for Operation Christmas Child, will be a establishing a command post at Two Rivers. Two Rivers will be housing approximately 40 volunteers from all over the United States which will rotate on a weekly basis.

The initial crew is coming from Mississippi and bringing with them a trailer filled with specialized equipment and a volunteer food kitchen. Samaritan's Purse crews specialize in cleaning out water and mud soaked homes so repairs can begin. They are asking for volunteers to help. Their initial assessment team will be at Two Rivers on Thursday morning and the trailers should be here by Thursday night. No special skills are needed to volunteer except that that you are able to do some physical labor and be willing to share and show the love of Christ.

Samartian's Purse has established a command post here at Two Rivers and starting this Saturday May 8th they are needing volunteers to help with clean out.

If you have experience with flooding, carpet, HVHC, carpentry or electrical please meet ME at the church entrance # 5 at 7:00am. (I am breaking out my tools-- watch out world!)

If you would like to volunteer in a general area, clean up, registration, runners, traffic flow, please meet at the church facility at 7:15 am.

Here are some more details:
-Volunteer opportunities are available Monday - Saturday, beginning at 7 AM.
-All volunteers MUST be 14 years old or over and permission from their parent/guardian is required.
-Please come dressed appropriately! No open toe shoes.
-No tools or gloves necessary.

If you need more information about Samaritan's Purse and what is needed we have set up a phone number for them at: 615-883-7142. This is a direct line to them at their new office inside Two Rivers Church.

Water/Supply Distribution:

Tomorrow (Friday) we will have a second truck deliver water. We've just received word that the truck's arrival will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 2pm. We will need assistance unloading it.

Friday, May 7th from 10-2 we will be distributing water in the surrounding community.

Saturday, May 8th starting at 9:00 am we will be distributing water and supplies around the area.

Donations:

We are still in need of donations and at this time our biggest need is cleaning supplies such as bleach, garbage bags, rags, rubber gloves, bug spray and paper towels.. You can find the list of things needed on www.tworivers.org/floodassistance On Sunday morning, from 8-12, there will be donation containers at the Gym entrance and in the Worship Foyer.

Donelson Christian Academy

When we heard of the flooding at DCA, we quickly wanted to share and show the love of Christ and assist these families with opening our facilities to allow them to complete their final two weeks of school. DCA has made an impact in the lives of students in Metro Nashville for years and this is a small way to help them in their time of need. They will be using 30-40 rooms for two weeks and will handle all housekeeping supplies and cleaning.

Hands on Nashville

We have also opened up our parking lot to volunteers who will be assisting the Pennington Bend community and allow them to stage their efforts to serve families in need. This is another way to assist our community and use our central location to help in the clean up process.

Grand Ole Opry

As you know, the Grand Ole Opry and Nashville have become synonymous. We have an incredible opportunity to help our community and our city get back up on its feet by hosting the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15. We think this is a good opportunity to show Nashville that we love them. This is a temporary thing and we have been assured that the content will be appropriate for our setting.

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I know that is a lot of information, but we know things are continuing to unfold rapidly. Expect daily emails from me if you are on our church email list.

This is our time to show God's love. Let's seize the moment.

I will see you Sunday when I will share a special message on God's presence in difficult times.

God bless,

Ed

P.S. Your "entrance fee" on Sunday will be cleaning supplies. ;-) Be sure to bring some gloves, bleach, or cleaning supplies and we will have collection points at every door. OK, we will still let you in without them, but we will be happier if you bring them!