By Ken Rosenauer, American Red Cross
For Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers, there’s no task too dirty, too hot or too early in the morning.Whether it’s stripping out the insides of flood-soaked homes or cooking up thousands of meals for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, these devoted folks are all in.
Whether it’s stripping out the insides of flood-soaked homes or cooking up thousands of meals for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, these devoted folks are all in.The Southern Baptist Convention and the American Red Cross have a long history of bringing hands and hope to disaster situations. And in the case of the Baptists, they bring Bibles.
The Southern Baptist Convention and the American Red Cross have a long history of bringing hands and hope to disaster situations. And in the case of the Baptists, they bring Bibles.
In Texas City, Baptist “mudout” teams from Missouri have joined those from the Lone Star State to kickstart the rehab of flooded homes. Meanwhile, other Baptist volunteers man a mobile field kitchen, preparing hot food that Red Cross workers deliver to shelters and neighborhoods where flood victims are knee-deep in cleanup activities.On a typical day, a crew of about a dozen Baptists focused on the flooded home of Chris Ayala of Dickinson, Texas, stripping it to rafters, studs and concrete floor.
On a typical day, a crew of about a dozen Baptists focused on the flooded home of Chris Ayala of Dickinson, Texas, stripping it to rafters, studs and concrete floor.When flooding began on Aug. 28, Ayala and five others fled – first to the attic and then across the street to a two-story apartment building. Eventually, volunteers rescued them by boat.
When flooding began on Aug. 28, Ayala and five others fled – first to the attic and then across the street to a two-story apartment building. Eventually, volunteers rescued them by boat.
Most of the team focused inside the house, pulling up floor joists, removing wall coverings, pulling nails, hauling and piling debris at the curb and cleaning up. After they’re done, a house is ready for new flooring, wallboard and other finishing materials.
Following disasters, Baptist disaster relief teams typically arrive with a sizable mobile commercial kitchen, shower and laundry trailers and a trailer for volunteers’ supplies. In Texas City, these are set up at the First Baptist Church.
On this day, about 75 people were centered at the First Baptist site, according to Randy, minister of a small church in Wayland, Mo., and the Missouri state incident command coordinator. The number of volunteers will increase to more than 100 and the emphasis will be on flood relief, in addition to food preparation.This is the sixth response for Missouri teams this year. Northside Baptist Church in Texas City has 45-50 his is the sixth response for Missouri teams this year. Northside Baptist Church in Texas City has 45-50 mudout teams. All told, Randy said, Baptist Disaster Recovery teams from around the country are covering 20-25 sites across Texas.
Not everyone with the Missouri contingent was doing the dirty work. The rest were in the kitchen, preparing 3,300 meals twice a day for the Red Cross to deliver.
Michael, a first-time volunteer from Paris, Mo., took a class on mass feeding on Sept. 8 and 9. He left home the morning of Sept. 11 and rode all night with two others, arriving in Texas on Sept. 12.
“I’m hurting all over. My feet hurt. My back hurts,” he admitted after washing pots, pans and utensils for two days. “I’m feeling it, but I don’t want to get too soft just sitting around.”
Turning serious, he added, “I came because somebody needed to.”
Although food prep is done in clean surroundings, some volunteers actually prefer mudout to food service. Those stripping houses have a more flexible schedule, and they don’t have to get up at 4:30 a.m.
Sharon, a member of the Cape County Cowboy Church in Burfordville, Mo., has another reason she prefers flood cleanup.
“You get to meet the people, love on them and brighten their day,” she explained.
The downside of working mudout is that they labor in heat, dirt and – at times – mud.
“They’re a hardy bunch,” a kitchen worker admitted.
Sharon will long remember a woman whose home they cleaned out. She lived by herself and the water got up to her shoulders before she climbed into her attic, carrying her cats and dog with her. She was overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers who came to her aid.
“One hundred percent of the people have been thankful and appreciative,” Sharon said.
The youngest team member was 18-year-old Sarah, who volunteered even as she prepared to start college.“More young people should get involved (in flood recovery),” she said. “Old people (disaster victims) shouldn’t have to do this.
“More young people should get involved (in flood recovery),” she said. “Old people (disaster victims) shouldn’t have to do this.
“My mom always taught me to have a clean place to live and eat,” she added.
Back at the Alaya home, the cleanout crew was ready to leave, but first they circled up with Ayala. “God has sent us here to you,” said Rosalie, chaplain for the day, as she handed him a new Bible, signed by everyone on the team. It was a powerful moment for everyone, especially when Ayala said that they had lost their family Bible to floodwaters.“The words I tell you just can’t ever be enough,” Ayala said, his eyes glistening.
“The words I tell you just can’t ever be enough,” Ayala said, his eyes glistening.
Texas Gulf Coast American Red Cross 