A
Biblical Approach to Disaster Relief
PASTOR GORDON DICKSON OF CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN FINDLAY, OH, WROTE THIS AND IT IS EXCELLENT. PLEASE GO TO THE SITE AND READ IT.
THESE ARE DAILY REPORTS OF CHRIS CARTER IN THE MICHAEL IMPACT AREA.
PLEASE READ AND PRAY
My name is Chris Carter. I am a member of Hillsdale Baptist
in Tampa and a retired 1SG from the special operations community. I
inderstand you need someone in the panhandle to provide a sitrep and
eyes/ears. I can be on the road from here as early as tonight.
Road conditions are relatively good. Although some power
lines, telephone poles and debris can be found in the roads, they can be easily
navigated during daylight. The best road to enter panama city is
Hwy 77 S. From either I-10 or State Road 20. THERE IS A DUSK TO DAWN
CURFEW for all disaster areas.
Traffic into the area is very heavy in the morning hours and very
heavy leaving in the evenings due to the hundreds of power company rigs.
Some traffic lights have been restored, most have not, and only the most busy
intersections are guided by traffic cops....use caution when approaching
intersections as i have seen numerous accidents.
I visited four churches today and met with staff
members of three. None of them has yet to complete a full check of
their members because so many evacuated.
Central Baptist, Pastor Bruce Barton, 424 E Baldwin. Church is insured and has paid crews to do the work.
Immediate needs are food and water. Secondary need is tree and debris
removal (not hauled away, just moved to roadside). Plan is to initially
store all delivery items to this church, and the other three will have access.
Grace
Baptist, Pastor Mike Jones, Hgwy 77 one block south of E Baldwin (500 yds fm
Central Baptist). Met with assistant pastor, Derrick.
Needs are the same as Cental Baptist.
Lighthouse Baptist, Pastor Bob Dailey, 3321 E 15th St. That number is to another person's phone. The pastor
uses verizon and that service us down in the area. AT&T appears to
have the fewesr issues. Same needs as other churches, but the
pastor had additional inquiries--they have a well with a 3 phase electrical
pump, but did not know if it can be used with their generair. If someone
can do that for them or provide them with a pump they can use, they would have
unlimited water for showers and washing dishes and clothes(if hillsdale
delivers appliances). They have a small distribution center set up outside
their chuch, handing out small amounts of water and cereal that various
people and orgs gave donated. Lighthouse is in a poorer part of town and
sheltered many local families during the storm. Many renain there because
their homes are unlivable but the pastor wants to get them out of the church
because he was told that if fema finds rhen therw they will be considered
sheltered and lose priority for temp hiusing. He also expressed a
need for styrofiam cups for hot drinks, paper plartes, and plastic shopping
bags to more easily preparw food for faster delivery
Victory Baptist, Pastor Steve Perrine. 11th Ave, about 1
mile west of Hgwy 77. I do not have contact info for anyone at this
church, and no one was there when I visited. Pastors Barton and Dailey
know the pastor....
Hillsdale will have truck delivering food and water some time
tomorrow. That trip will also bring 5 bodies with chainsaws.
Another need is gas and fuel cans.
I drove 1.5 hours west in search of food, water, and supplies only
to find fema and red cross had already bought out all the open stores.
No need to worry about gas...could not find any cans for
sale. My thought was to purchase those and let churches assign members to
getting gas
Fast food places are up and running from 0800 until 1600 in
panama city beach and within 8 miles of panama city. Anyone coming here
within the next few days should plan on sleeping in their vehicle (as i am) or
driving at least an hour outside if town to find available lodging. The
good news is that temps have dropped to high 50s at night
The greatest need exists in
the small towms north and east of panama city. In my search for food
yesterday I spoke to some of those communities...they feel forgotten but they
also expected to be. If the intent is to extend support beyond panama
city, Ineed assistance in identifying churches in places like Vernon and
Blountstown...draw a line on a map between those two and the need will exist
from that line southward. If we can find churches in that area, I can
visit them.
GREAT COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
