There’s a lot going on as it always is with us! Things are moving forward here as all the debris has been removed from the curbs. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of yard cleanup that needs to be done as they don’t rake, etc., just use a claw to pick up what they can. And then there’s all the flood water full of sewage, etc., that has killed all the vegetation. It will take time, but as the rain comes, things will wash out and slowly get back to normal. There’s not much we can do to help this, but if someone wanted to help, raking yards of the smaller debris left would be a huge blessing!
We’ve already had our first home start to mold up that wasn’t dried before another org sprayed chemicals. These groups mean well, but the ones doing the work have no formal training. The homeowners are left with extra chemicals to spray again in a day or two, still without drying properly, and given paperwork that states there’s no guarantee that the mold is gone or won’t return. Other than that, there’s no instruction or continuing to walk with these folks after a couple of weeks when they leave. Unfortunately, in this home there’s mold growing all over the upper cabinets, upper walls, and ceilings that did not get flood damage on them. A month later, the wood that did get wet is still soaking wet. Not sure what we’ll do but going to try to help figure something out.
So far, we’ve helped in some fashion with over 50 homes. We’ve properly final cleaned, dried, and sprayed 9 homes. We’ve got 3 homes that are waiting for me to spray them and hoping to get to them by weeks end. We have 4 homes that are currently close to being dried with our equipment and/or homeowner’s stuff that have also been properly final cleaned and will be ready to spray this week as well.
I was able to run the electric for 2 families to set up RVs in their driveways as they begin the long process of rebuilding their homes and we hope to provide guidance and labor for that.
Several guys from CC Savannah continue to help a few times a week and we had 4 folks from a local business come in and help a day. Keith from CCSAV kept things going for us while we were gone so the drying and cleaning was still moving forward.
There’s been a local guy trying to talk to these homeowners about rebuilding all their homes providing all the labor and materials for free, and he will do it immediately. Unfortunately, it’s too good to be true and we’re not sure what he’s up to, but we’re monitoring what he’s doing. I’ve researched him and his buddies a little and what I’ve learned is not good. None of them are contractors. He started “helping” 2 of the homes we’ve been trying to help and he has no clue as to what he’s doing. When the homeowners ask him why he isn’t doing it correctly he just yells at them.
A local contractor did come in and demo some of the homes for free and then gives them a bid to rebuild. The one home we know of he’s already given a bid to, is higher than it should be as he’s recouping his tear out costs. He also did a terrible job of tearing things out and messed up quite a few things that shouldn’t have been, so of course there’s more work to rebuild whether he does it or someone else, so more money for these folks without insurance! He also doesn’t dry and spray homes properly. Well-meaning volunteers who do demos also create more rebuild work because of being rushed to complete things, they damage and remove things that don’t need removed, again creating more cost to the homeowners. It’s an uphill battle for these folks and we try to warn them and then help them afterwards as best can.
All the groups that were here in the beginning have left. I’m still working on finishing up the homes that we’re doing that Team Rubicon did most of the demo on. I just talked with a Lutheran group that is serving with a Methodist group. They were serving close by and have made it to this area. They’ve already finished one home we were waiting for someone to demo. They’re going to do another one tomorrow and then another the day after that. I’m waiting for a list from them of all the ones they’ve already done, and we’ll see if we can help with the final clean, drying, and spraying on them as well. Always blessed when groups work together to help communities recover!
Mary Jo continues to serve at the community center as she minsters to homeowners and other volunteers there. She also comes out and helps at the homes here and there and has begun running a magnet up and down the streets to pick up nails and screws. On top of taking care of me and helping with things around the house, she stays pretty busy!
I ended up purchasing another dehumidifier that I was able to get a 20% discount on, but it still cost over $1800! I’m borrowing a few fans from homeowners who’ve been dried already so all of that is helping speed things up! Our new dehu has an hour meter on it and it already has close to 300 hours!
In our last update we asked for prayer concerning a place to set up Camp Calvary and we believe God has answered that prayer. First Baptist Church in Richmond has a house at the back of their property that they use for the Fellowship of Christian Athlete regional office. Kevin, one of the pastors, leads that ministry and he’s one of the first pastors we met here when we arrived. We can set up our bunkhouse RV next to the house where we’ll get our utilities from. We’re also talking to them about using some of the space inside for small volunteer teams from out of town. There’s a full kitchen and bathroom. We also need some storage, so I’ll see if that’s possible there, or we’ll need to figure something else out.
We’re hoping to get things to a point where we can take another week or so to go back to VA. We need to figure out what we need to bring down here with us and I also have a couple things to finish up on the diesel as I want to bring that down here. We’ll be leaving things there for the near future as we are still navigating through all of what we’re going to do here in GA as well as moving forward. I’ll need to fix a couple of leaks in the 5th wheel and then close it up and winterize it, so we’re not forced to go back again soon.
We just spent a few days at the Deep South Pastor’s Conference which was encouraging and challenging as usual. Lots to take in, pray about, and then act on in our lives and ministry. Always great to catch up with a lot of friends and as always, we made some new ones! We then spent a few days “vacationing” with Nick, Brittany, and our grandkids. Living with them while working hard, long hours has been challenging for all of us! The grandkids don’t know working grandpa, only fun grandpa! It was a much-needed time to just hangout and do some fun stuff for 2 days!
Here’s the link to the conference teachings, Pastor's & Leaders Conference Media - Calvary Chapel Deep South. I think anyone who wants to follow Jesus would benefit from listening to all or any of this. Troy’s and Lance’s teachings especially spoke to me.
Lots to do and lots to keep in your prayers and we so appreciate them!
If you’re interested in growing in The LORD as you selflessly serve others alongside of Calvary Relief, please let us know! For more info on joining us, click here.
If you’re interested in helping with any of the expenses with Calvary Relief, please click here.
If there’s ever anything you need prayer about or just need to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and let us know!
Here to serve and disciple until He calls us home,
Curt & Mary Jo
