Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Oklahoma City Tornado - Post 8


Oklahoma City Tornado

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Dear Friends,

ORH is still attempting to help the churches and communities in the Oklahoma City impact area.

Yesterday, I spoke with Rick Carter of Beth Haven Baptist Church and Ron Lindsey of Suburban Baptist Church. Both of these men were greatly encouraging as they told me of their continuing efforts in their community to help all the people.

Both expressed the weight of care which has been on them. They said that they are still providing help to the community through their distribution efforts. Both said they were still helping people rebuild their lives as best they can. Pray that God will bless their efforts.

Ivan Moore of Immanuel Baptist Church asked us to pray for his ministry in the Oklahoma City area. He is a church plant very close to the devastation area. He wrote the following.

            “Hi Bro. Milton, Well things are starting to settle down. The city is working night and day to clean the debris from the destroyed areas. We at the church are working to disburse funds to needy families. As our church is a start up ministry these storms have impacted us in several ways one of which is financial. We didn't have the funds to pay our rent in June, but the Lord provided at the last moment, which we were so thankful.
            Another way in which our church has been affected is that many of the areas where we evangelized are just gone. They no longer exist which is very strange and sad. We would really appreciate your prayers concerning our ministry as we try to continue to reach out to the families in Moore. Also any financial help that could be given to Immanuel would be greatly appreciated. We are so thankful for Operation Renewed Hope during these days as it has already proved to be a tremendous help during this disaster. Thank you so much for caring and praying for Immanuel and the people of Moore”

The reality of natural disaster is the complete alteration of the impact communities. Although there is intense ministry opportunities during the early days of the disaster, there can also be complete loss of families with no return.

Please, ask God to help all these men, their communities, and their ministries to assess, recognize, and engage in the new life that they will face in the coming days.
Pray that the workers will be able to rest and renew their strength which has been depleted by the intense demand of helping thousands.

ORH will not forget these communities and those who face the total alteration of where they live, work, and make their futures. Please, do the same.
 
Jan Milton

Operation Renewed Hope
4928 Necessary Court
Blue Springs, MO 64015
910-987-5072
www.operationrenewedhope.org
orhus@aol.com

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Oklahoma City Tornado - Post 7


Oklahoma City Tornado

Wednesday June 12, 2013

Dear Friends,

Please read this update and continue to pray for these churches as they help their communities.  Thank you so much for helping these people.

Pastor Sven Lawson, Moore Baptist Temple, wrote the following,

“I have a family I met which were helping a member in my church clean up from the tornado when we found out that his own house and car was destroyed, he has 3 children and is living with another family with 9 people in a small house trying to save enough money to rent another house.”

Operation Renewed Hope is sending $3000.00 for Pastor Larson to help this family and others.  Pastor Larson expressed that this family will be a great ministry opportunity for his church as they work in their community.

Pastor Ivan Moore wrote the following to us about his needs in Oklahoma City.
 
“Hi Bro. Milton,   It has been very crazy around here as you can imagine, not only are we dealing with the impact of the tornado on May 20th, but we had several more tornadoes come through the metro area on the 31st, one of which was the largest tornado on record at 2.6 miles wide, with winds of 300 mph. Most of the families in our church had some damage to their property although most wasn't serious. It would be a great help if you could help us with some church expenses of about $1300.00. Due to all the tornadoes, we had to cancel church several times, mainly because we couldn't get to our building and lost some income because of that. We are on a very tight budget so anything would help. Also, a local pastor lost everything and we would like to give him $700.00 to help him with whatever he needs. We also have three families that need any help we can give them since they lost everything they owned except what they were wearing. We were hoping to give them about $1,000.00 each. Again, we appreciate so much your ministry and willingness to help during this time. I have been through a lot in my life, but these storms have left tremendous devastation and destruction like I have never seen before. There is feeling of awe and sadness as you see all that has been destroyed. Thank you for your kindness and concern; I pray the Lord will bless you for your ministry to those going through this. We are praying God will draw those who are lost to Him through this terrible situation.   Pastor Moore  Immanuel Baptist Church of Moore Oklahoma”

Operation Renewed Hope is sending $3000.00 to Pastor Moore to help with this need.  Pray God will help Pastor Moore since he works a separate job and is a pastor also.  Pray he will have the stamina to maintain the rate at which he is presently working.

Pastor Lindsey from Suburban Baptist Church wrote the following.

     “All I can say is praise be to God! And thank you and the many, many Christians who came to our aid in time of need. We are keeping our gym open as a donation and distribution center (free food and household goods) until the end of the month of June. July 1st we will attempt to transition back to our normal ministry. We are also using this as an evangelistic outreach to reach those in our community with the gospel of Jesus Christ (the free gift of salvation that is available through Christ).
     Thank you again for your love, support and prayers for us during these stressful times. May God bless you richly.  Pastor Ron Lindsey  Suburban Baptist Church“

Pastor Lindsey has been a great blessing as he helped many in his area through his distribution center.  Operation Renewed Hope is thankful that he is going back to a more normal ministry.

Please continue to pray for all the efforts of those in the impact area.
 
Jan Milton
Operation Renewed Hope
4928 Necessary Ct
Blue Springs, MO  64015
910-987-5072
 

Jan Mil

Friday, June 7, 2013

Announcing Grenada Medical Trip for 2014


Trips for 2014

Grenada

This trip will go to the islands of Grenada and Carriacou in the Caribbean Sea.  We will work with Missionary John McPherson and Pastor Michael Lambert and other national Pastors. They have asked our help in reaching the area with the truth. 

Our goal will be to help the people on their islands with medical care and to conduct evangelism and church strengthening ministries.  The medical care will consist of general medical, pediatrics, dental.  We will work for three full days and two half days of clinic.

Dates:  January 18 - 25

Cost:  $1900.00 - $2100.00  

Evangelist:   Dr. Tom Farrell

Travel Insurance:  Provided

Accommodations:  This trip has a medium level of difficulty.  Once in country there will be travel by a bus and by boats. Bus travel will be over rough roads with many potholes and is not recommended for those with motion sickness.   Some will be sleeping on air mattresses on the floor and some possibly in tents.

Due to logistical difficulties there will be a limited number of participants on this trip.

NOTE:  This clinic is still in the planning stage which means date and exact locations may still be adjusted.

Application:  Please contact our web site, www.operationrenewedhope.org, in order to apply.  You may also email us at orhus@aol.com or RWilliamson@TeamORH.Com  to apply.  You may call 910-987-5072 to apply.

Once accepted, you will receive emails specifically relating to the trip.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Oklahoma City Tornado - Post 6


Oklahoma City Tornado
 
\Wednesday June 5, 2013
 
Dear Friends,

ORH has a new friend in the work, Pastor Alan Jenkins from Columbia Road Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH area. Pastor Jenkins and his church have opened a warehouse to gather materials for disaster relief. I was just at their church and visited their 13,000 sq ft warehouse facility. What a vision to take the gospel. We are so honored to work with such servants of the Lord.

Pastor Jenkins wrote the following from Oklahoma City Oklahoma where they delivered a truck load of materials to help the needs of those in the hurricane. Pastor Jenkins went to Pastor Ron Lindsey of Suburban Baptist Church one of the churches that ORH has attempted to help as they minister to their community.

“Hi bro Milton, We brought a truckload down here in Oklahoma this morning and I am preaching for Bro Lindsey tomorrow. A wonderful Man of God. Amazing the devastation here. God bless! Alan Jenkins”

Pastor Jenkins wrote further.

“Dear Bro Milton,
            I just returned from preaching and observing the work that Bro Lindsey and the Suburban Baptist Church is doing in disaster relief for their community.
             I was glad to see that they are first concerned about those in their church members which were affected; I believe 7 families in their church. They have done very well in making sure these families have been loved on and cared for.
            They have also done a marvelous job in opening up their church as center for items available to those affected by the tornados.
             Any help that could be given to further help this church and people would be appreciated as these 7 families have a hard road ahead. Many of the people who were hit by these tornadoes were in apt dwellings and lost everything. I have seen a lot but not anything like this devastation. God bless and thank you for your help. Pastor Alan C. Jenkins”

Pastor Lindsay has taken his gymnasium and turned it into a crisis distribution center. People are constantly coming from the community to get help. They hope to keep this center open through June. He has been promised several more loads of supplies.

Pastor Lindsey writes the following.

“Bro Jan Milton,
            This past Friday night was pretty scary here in Moore, but even though many people lost their life (the number is still growing), it could have been much worse. Tornados were scattered once again all over Moore and Oklahoma City. Several tornadoes touched down here, but were not nearly as damaging as the one on May 20th. They knocked out power at the church and at my house this time. The power came back on at the church late Saturday night so we were able to have a normal Sunday service.
            Our donation center and distribution center in our church gym is getting more organized as each day goes by. I never asked to have a ministry like this, but it seems pretty clear to me that is exactly what our Lord is calling us to do...so we are gladly doing it. I just got through reading through the forms and stories that we have people fill out when they come in to get supplies. As I lift each one up in prayer, there are many of them that are really heartbreaking. Please pray that our church will be able to follow up with them in helping them and leading them to Christ during this difficult time in their life.
            So far we have given out about $17,000.00 to members of our church who had homes destroyed and lost all of their possessions. We are praying that we can give more...as there are still many needs. The deacons and I, along with my associate are asking the Lord to use us as His hands, feet, voice and heart to minister to His sheep. The people of our church who still have homes, power and jobs are bending low and humbly serving their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
            Our church normally has an attendance of 115-120 on Sunday morning. This last Sunday we had 103. Seven of our families literally lost all of their possessions except the clothes on their back. Four or five more lost smaller amounts. The tornado was so big it affected almost all of our families in one degree or another. We are mostly focusing on trying to help the seven hardest hit families in a large way because they have the biggest needs. Most DID have insurance. That helps. Not all insurance is the same however. Some have high deductibles. We are trying to help with that. Some have insufficient insurance on their contents. We are trying to help with that. Some, after having to move into apartments have had a car stolen and their apartment broken into twice...just in the last 2 weeks since the tornado. That is crazy! But that family will not take any money or help... insisting that they are fine and all they need is prayer. We are trying to cover them up in it. Some are older (seniors) folks who have needed physical help dragging damaged fences to the front of the curb to have the city haul off. Some had cars destroyed that were only insured with liability. We are trying to help them. One lady lost her job. She runs a day care in her home and barely made it out in time with her babies 10 minutes before the storm hit and demolished her house. She now has no income. We have helped her with the next two months of lost income since she lost everything...plus her job. We rented some heavy equipment and have had a couple of volunteers that came up from North Carolina run it. They are cleaning off our church members property now as I write. There are many other stories that I don't have time to tell right now, and each one is different so we are just trying to handle each one separately. The Lord is showing us His grace and mercy every single day. He has never failed us. What we need most is...the Lord. He is really all we need. Of course, I covet your prayers that I will not fail the Lord now, when our people need Him the most. If the Lord leads you to help financially, we will use it for His glory.
            Thank you so much for your support and prayers during these difficult times. May the Lord be praised. Pastor Ron Lindsey”
 
I hope you will not forget these people. There is so much left to do. Help us to help.

If you wish to donate by check, please, send the check to Operation Renewed Hope, PO Box 43242, Fayetteville, NC 28309. Mark the check for "Domestic Relief."

If you wish to donate by debit or credit card, please, go to www.operationrenewedhope.org and choose Network for Good.

You may go to www.orhnews.blogspot.com to keep up with the efforts.
 
Please help us to help the churches and people of this crisis. Many are hearing the gospel through the churches.

Jan Milton
Operation Renewed Hope
4928 Necessary Court
Blue Springs, MO 64015
910-987-5072
www.operationrenewedhope.org
orhus@aol.com

Monday, June 3, 2013

Oklahoma City Tornado - Post 5

Oklahoma City Tornado

Monday June 3, 2013
 
Dear Friends,
 
Matt Sanders, who volunteers with ORH, received this message from Pastor Rick Carter of Beth Haven Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Please read and consider helping.
 
Pastor Rick Carter; Beth Haven Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, OK
 
"1. Last ORH funds sent were used to purchase tarps to help families cover damaged roofs

2. Have also purchased chain saws and brooms; their people are out helping to clean debris in areas that were not directly hit by the tornado, but littered with debris

3. Today we helped a family with the purchase of a vehicle.

4. Also joined two other churches in purchasing a pallet of laundry soap and giving it out in their community

5. Reported that 1200 homes were destroyed and 33000 people displaced, some temporarily, others long-term."

ORH received a phone call this morning from an elderly woman who said a church in Oklahoma City gave her the name of ORH and our phone. She said she was on Social Security and needed help. She said that she needed food and clothing. She said with the tornado and needs her Social Security check just isn't enough.
 
I contacted Pastor Rick Carter, and he is going to contact her. Pastor Carter assured me he would contact her and confirm her situation. If he thinks the needs are legitimate, then help can be considered.
 
If you wish to donate by check, please, send the check to Operation Renewed Hope, PO Box 43242, Fayetteville, NC 28309. Mark the check for "Domestic Relief."
 
If you wish to donate by debit or credit card, please, go to www.operationrenewedhope.org and choose Network for Good.
 
You may go to www.orhnews.blogspot.com to keep up with the efforts.
 
Please help us to help the churches and people of this crisis. Many are hearing the gospel through the churches.
Jan Milton

Operation Renewed Hope
4928 Necessary Court
Blue Springs, MO 64015
910-987-5072
www.operationrenewedhope.org
orhus@aol.com