Cleaning up after the storm
Click here to go to our flickr page to see the aftermath of the tornados.
This blog is coming from Technology One in Americus. They have been kind enough to let me use their network to access the Internet, while I am without internet access at the church. What a crazy week it has been! I am finishing my “best draft” for my dissertation, preparing for two pastor’s conferences in India (I leave next week), and doing all I can to help in the clean up process here in wake of the tornados that hit us last Thursday.
Here is what I have learned about our town in the wake of the storm.
— 560 homes were demanaged by the storm
— 20% of the 560 homes were destroyed
— 35% have structural damage,
— 60%-70% have power lines still on the ground,
If you are looking to make donations to help in the clean up, here is the info I got from GEMA:
A donation center is now open at the Americus-Sumter Exposition Center, 903 Adderton Street (Highway 30 next to National Guard Armory), Americus, Georgia. The center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.
For more information on providing donated goods in Sumter County, contact Hew and Carolyn Lipscomb at (229) 931-9386.
The donated goods centers are making an appeal for the following items: Mosquito repellant, commercially canned foods, baby formula, baby diapers (all sizes), personal hygiene products, non-perishable foods (individual sized cans), manual can openers, leather gloves, tarps, cleaning supplies, such as bleach, mops, brooms and buckets, plastic goods (cups and cutlery), paper goods (plates, napkins, towels and toilet tissue), disposable gloves (rubber or latex) and trash bags (all sizes) are needed.
Now here is some good news. I read this Psalm today:
Psalm 77 NIV
[1] I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
[2] When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
[3] I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
[4] You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
[5] I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
[14] You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
[15] With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
[16] The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
[17] The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
[18] Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
The good news is the God is present. God is good. God is sovereign.
“The suffering is unending
Every nook and cranny has it’s tears
I’m not playing, I’m not pretending
I’m not nursing any superfluous fears.”
— Bob Dylan, Ain’t Talkin’, Modern Times
Click here to go to our flickr page to see the “suffering” after the tornados.