Hurricane leaves behind damaged homes, lost memories

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie and the Rev. Donald Waddleton visit with Vivian Paysse, 99, at her home in Bayou Vista, Texas, following Hurricane Ike.UMNS photos by Mike DuBose.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

BAYOU VISTA, Texas (UMNS)-Vivian Paysse celebrated her 99th birthday a few days before Hurricane Ike washed away the bottom floor of her home and scattered a lifetime of memories along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Outside of her modest gray house, trash filled with shredded pieces of her life stacked almost to the rooftop. Along the narrow streets of her community, sea-soaked remnants of her neighbors' lives-refrigerators, couches and more-stretched as far as the eye could see. A sign outside a storm-wrecked convenience store spoke volumes about the conditions of the small coastal town: "Do not flush or use water. Sewer hookup $200.00 fine per day."

Household items, ruined by saltwater, are piled in the street outside Paysse’s home

Most of the homes and businesses in Bayou Vista, a community just north of Galveston, were flooded when Ike made landfall on Sept. 13. Their stories were being shared anew as United Methodist work teams pitched in to provide relief.

A team of church members in southeast Texas helped Paysse clean out her first floor and salvage letters written by her husband beginning in 1928.

"They are waterlogged, but just having them made her feel better," said the Rev. Jonathan Bynum, pastor of Longview Greggton United Methodist Church. Bynum was part of a team led by Lee Thornton, mission and outreach coordinator for the church's South District of the Texas Annual (regional) Conference.

When Bishop Janice Riggle Huie and the Rev. Don Waddleton, district superintendent, stopped to talk to the church volunteers, a neighbor and friend told them about Paysse.

Larry Jones explained to the visitors that Paysse is "one of your United Methodist pioneers."

"Her grandfather was the Rev. Robert Alexander, known as one of the fathers of Methodism in Texas. She also had a son who was a United Methodist pastor and chaplain and she talks often of her United Methodist heritage," he said.

Jones said Paysse was strongly independent and that the storm had taken a lot out of her. It took her a few minutes to prepare for the unexpected visit, but she was beaming when the group stepped into her living room.

"I was getting a little low on attention," said Paysse as she hugged Huie. "It is fun to be 99 years old."

Paysse told her visitors she has outlived her husband, three sons and most of her friends. "I can do everything well except see," she said.

Holding Huie's hand reminded her of another Methodist preacher she met-E. Stanley Jones, a renowned Methodist missionary and evangelist. "I remember he was wearing this beautiful yellow suit, and he picked up two of my boys and carried them around," she said. "He was a fine preacher."

Her husband died when she was in her 40s and left her three boys to raise. She proudly pointed to the three portraits of her sons as toddlers and still hanging above the mantle.

"My husband is here somewhere," she said, looking through photos on a table before pulling out a framed black and white one. "Here he is with his saxophone," she told Huie. "Our house was always filled with music."

Waterlogged love letters between Paysse and her late husband are salvaged.

She spoke about her grandfather, a presiding elder (now known as district superintendent) of the Galveston district. He lost everything in a hurricane in 1875, including his house, herds and personal items. The family had to "seek shelter from the flood in tree branches," according to a Web site maintained by the Texas Commission of Archives and History.

Before Ike's fury reached the coast, Paysse evacuated to the house once owned by her grandfather in Chappell Hill, northwest of Houston. When she came home to the destruction in Bayou Vista, she was upset to find so many things gone, according to Jones.

"She loves being among her plants and gardening. I bring her coffee every morning, but she mostly prefers to be left alone," he said.

Waddleton vowed to help Paysse get her electricity back on as soon as possible. "Call me and we will pay for it," he told Jones, a Baptist pastor and Bayou Vista alderman.

"I just want her to have peace for the rest of her life," responded Jones, his eyes filling with tears.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

Texas United Methodists need help to rebuild after Ike

Jerry Harrington, whose home on the Gulf Coast of Texas was destroyed by Hurricane Ike, says he doesn't plan to rebuild. UMNS photos by Mike DuBose.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

HIGH ISLAND, Texas (UMNS)-Jerry Harrington has lived on the Gulf Coast of Texas all of his life, but Hurricane Ike finally convinced him to leave.

"This is the worst I have ever seen, I'm not going to build it back," he said as he walked around the rubble of his home left behind by the Sept. 13 storm. "I'm all right without my house, but I just can't stand losing all my mementos."

Harrington is one of about 500 residents of this scenic coastal town who have returned to find their communities wrecked and their lives changed forever.

The monster storm damaged more than 100 United Methodist churches and parsonages in the denomination's Texas Annual (regional) Conference. About a million people are without electricity and other utilities, and it may be a month or longer before power is restored.

"Some officials are saying Ike will be the largest natural disaster in Texas history, and most of it occurred within the bounds of the Texas Annual Conference," said Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, who oversees more than 700 United Methodist churches in southeast Texas.

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie and the Rev. Donald Waddleton assess storm damage and recovery needs Sept. 24 in Surfside Beach.

Huie and church leaders have traveled daily to churches and communities affected by the hurricane, offering prayers and comfort and assessing what is needed to rebuild.

Representatives of the United Methodist Committee on Relief have also toured the devastation.

The bishop has issued a church-wide call for help, asking that a special offering be collected on Sept. 28 (or for the following two Sundays) for hurricane recovery work in Texas, Louisiana, Haiti and other parts of the United States. The donations are being managed through The Advance, the denominational giving program for missions and relief.

In a Sept. 22 letter to her colleagues on the Council of Bishops, Huie said that while the cost of rebuilding from 2005's Hurricane Rita was $5 million, "Ike's challenge will far exceed Rita. … I am asking for your help."

Sifting through the rubble
Church leaders in Texas have provided pastoral support as they assess damages to both church property and the communities served by those congregations.

Visiting the Bolivar Peninsula on Sept. 24 was the Rev. Richard A. Burnham, superintendent of the church's Southeast District, east of Houston. Walking through the ruined parsonage of the Rev. Jeff and Sandy Craft in Crystal Beach, the emotional toll wore on him.

The Rev. Richard Burnham walks through the pastor's parsonage at Bay Vue United Methodist Church in Crystal Beach

"I see something Sandy would want," Burnham said, picking through the ruins. He gathered a few pieces of unbroken china, a waterlogged photo album and a framed pair of baby shoes, wrapping them gently in a collapsed living room curtain.

"I am just so very, very sad for Jeff and Sandy," Burnham said. "Jeff has lost everything … his community and his church."

Next door to the parsonage, Bay Vue United Methodist Church was just as wrecked. Three inches of mud filled the sanctuary and fellowship hall, and Burnham was unsure whether the structure can be saved.

"This was a very community-minded congregation," he said. "They have a history of tithing 10 percent to the community from the tithes they receive."

Bay Vue, Sabine Pass and Seabrook were the hardest hit churches in the conference, according to Huie.

The pastor of the Sabine Pass congregation, which is on the Gulf Coast near Port Arthur, still managed to get a laugh from Burnham, however, when she left a message on his cell phone.
"The back of the sanctuary is blown out, all the pews are gone, the education building has been knocked over. … That's all the good news I have for right now," the Rev. Kitty Keys told Burnham.

Urgent plea
In her letter to the bishops, Huie said the need to help rebuild homes, churches and parsonages is among her greatest concerns. Others include families and churches with little or no flood insurance; families who have run out of money for food, gas and necessities due to evacuation orders; and providing salaries for the next three or four months to pastors whose congregations evacuated and whose communities have dispersed-particularly on the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston Island and Sabine Pass.

"We have learned a great deal in the last three years (since Hurricane Rita)," she wrote. "For example, we have learned that volunteer hours double every dollar given to recovery. We know that the early response of the UMC invites other groups to engage with us and stay committed to long-term recovery. Whatever you give in time and money is multiplied many times over."

Noting that "news of Ike's impact has already disappeared from the national media," she urged United Methodists to stay informed through reports from the conference and from church news and relief organizations.

To aid in the recovery work, send financial donations to UMCOR Advance No. 3019695, "Hurricanes 2008." Mail checks to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, and write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

'It's like Katrina all over again,' survivors say of Ike

Glen Verret looks out from his front porch at his belongings, ruined when Hurricane Ike flooded his Dulac, La., home. UMNS photos by Steve Backstrom.

By Betty Backstrom*

DULAC, La. (UMNS)-Just one year ago, Mathilda and Glen Verret worked side by side with volunteers who were installing cabinets for a new kitchen in their home.

Their house, like so many others in the small Native American town, had been destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Today, Glen Verret looks at those same cabinets, checking to see which can be salvaged and which will need replacing. Verret's home was flooded during Hurricane Ike, which slammed into the Texas-Louisiana coastline as a Category 2 storm on Sept. 13.

Ahead of Ike's landfall, low-lying areas such as Dulac felt the brunt of the storm surge, which re-flooded areas affected by Hurricane Gustav just two weeks prior. Most of Louisiana's 250-mile coast was flooded by the second storm.

Verret looks into cabinets that were installed by United Methodist volunteers after his home was destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

"It's like Rita and Katrina all over again," said Verret, who already has started cleaning out the house and covering a leaking roof with tin.

After a week of assessing storm damage, John Paul McGuire, a volunteer for the disaster response ministry of Louisiana United Methodists, believes that, in Dulac, the damage from Ike is worse than the damage from Rita.

"It's heart breaking," said McGuire. "Houses that were not elevated after Rita are now back to ground zero."

Gustav also hit town
Hurricane Gustav, which hit Dulac hard on Labor Day, produced tremendous wind damage to homes in the small shrimping town. "Many of the homes that are elevated received water damage when roofs were torn off, and rainwater poured into the houses," McGuire explained.

Dulac residents Paul and Mae Gregorie elevated their home to 10 feet above sea level after Hurricane Rita. The United Methodists sent teams to install a new kitchen and a parquet wood floor.

Mae now looks at the floor, warped by rainwater. The water entered the home after a tornado spawned by Gustav lifted the roof and set it back down. Water-soaked insulation is bowing the ceiling, which leaked during the storm.

McGuire and Daryl Guy, manager of the Dulac station for the Louisiana Conference disaster response ministry, assured Paul and Mae that United Methodists will return to help them restore their home.

"They did everything the right way. They elevated the home to avoid flooding, yet Gustav caused serious wind damage," Guy said.

Complacent because the first storm did not cause extreme flooding, many Dulac residents decided to stay when they heard that Hurricane Ike was approaching. "Terrebonne Parish was under a voluntary evacuation order. It was never mandatory," McGuire said.

A large number of those who stayed did evacuate as floodwaters began to rise.

"T-Boy (Paul) and I were going to stay, but when I saw the water coming, I couldn't leave my mother here," said Mae, nodding toward the 93-year-old woman standing beside her. "We were taken out by boat. By the time we left, the water was past my knees."

New volunteer center
Doris Billiot was busy helping other volunteers move several inches of mud out of the Dulac Community Center, which sits across a flooded road from Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church, next to a newly-constructed volunteer center. The group was preparing to receive a shipment of flood buckets that will be distributed from the center to local residents.

"This is the kind of mud that is in a lot of the houses," said Billiot, whose home escaped the flooding because it is elevated.

Unfortunately, Billiot's house did not escape the wrath of Gustav. A tornado hit her home, causing significant roof damage. A tarp, quickly put up, prevented a large amount of destruction by rainwater.

The Louisiana Conference is preparing to receive work teams to assist with debris removal and restoration of many homes in Dulac. Teams will be hosted in the new volunteer center, built with funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. "The building was constructed at a high enough elevation to avoid flooding," Guy said.

Individuals or teams wanting to volunteer should contact the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church Disaster Response, Inc., at laumdisastermin@bellsouth.net or call (225)346-5193 or (877) 345-5193.

An amazing spirit of determination is evident when visitors speak to the Native American people whose families have lived in this small town for generations. To move away from the area, despite recurring hurricanes, is for many, unthinkable.

Verret expressed the sentiments of many Dulac residents. "We've done this once," he said. "We'll do it again. They're not gonna chase us from the bayou."

To aid Hurricane Ike recovery work, send financial donations to UMCOR Advance No. 3019695, "Hurricanes 2008, Hurricane Ike." Mail checks to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, and write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check. Credit-card donations can be made online at new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor or by calling (800) 554-8583.

*Backstrom is director of communications for the Louisiana Annual Conference.

Bahamas Habitat Volunteers begin work in heavily damaged Turks and Caicos

When Pa and I walked through his home on Monday morning, as shingles were falling through the roof and ceiling, he described how he had built a small home for he and his wife and then as they slowly had their eight children. Almost during each pregnancy, Pa would get busy building the next bedroom..."piece piece". Now as years have gone by, he is the only one left in this home that was once full of laughing, crying, big dinner tables and a whole lot of love.

Pa Williams...Another family that has a new roof over his head and doesn't have to worry about the tropical "disturbance" that has everyone down here on edge.

Turks and Caicos
As planned, we left Inagua and flew off to the Turks and Caicos (TCI) to offer our assistance to their government and the persons that were affected by Hurricane Ike. We were able to meet with the Deputy Premiere (Vice President) and he welcomed us with open arms on behalf of their entire country. We took a tour of Grand Turk and South Caicos and confirmed that there is a great need in TCI as well and the sooner we can finish in Inagua, the sooner we can make it to TCI. The country has some immense wealth and incredible poverty (sound familiar?) The people were just as friendly as Bahamians but have an even greater need at this point.

A bonus of our trip was that we were able to meet our new Vice President of the BCMC's family. Mrs. Elmena Bethel introduced us to her family and walked us around her entiresettlement on South Caicos. They too need much assistance. And we told them we are coming... We are planning a trip within a month so if you are willing to go to Turks and Caicos, please let us know.

Next Please
It was back to the roofing grindstone today and we finished Pa's home and started Mrs. Deloris and Edith Wilson's home. A home that KP told me was one of the worst he had seen. Stories to come soon about Mrs. Deloris.

To read a story from the Sun-Sentinel about Angel Flights bringing in of supplies and volunteers click on the following line:
Volunteers help Bahamas isle rebuild after Hurricane Ike

As always...continue to pray for our volunteers and their safety and the families that are still dealing with the damage caused by Ike.


Peace and Love.
Abe

Abraham (Abe) McIntyre, Executive Director
Bahamas Methodist HabitatCamp Symonette, James Cistern Eleuthera, Bahamas
615-469-7974 USA; 242-335-6210 Camp; 242-422-9318 Cell
http://www.methodisthabitat.org/

Sunday update from Inagua by Bahamas Methodist Habitat Director Abe McIntyre

Meet Mr. Alfred "My Frienda" Bain....he is 89 years young, traveled all over the states with "rich white" families as their butler, has one of the strongest handshakes I have ever felt, is very concerned about the US economy and the Hurricane victims of the US, especially Texas. He is also very excited and thankful for his brand new roof that he says, "will last for 1,000 years!" It was wonderful spending time with him today. He is finally back in his home tonight, after 2 weeks in the shelter.

The ministry is working!

It has been wonderful knowing how much persons have supported us from the States and we are incredibly thankful. We also realize that not everyone can come down right now to volunteer with us and that is okay. There will always be needs to fill and lives to touch, so whenever your time is right, we would love to have you come servre with us. If you are not able to volunteer with us please continue to support us with your prayers. They mean the world to us.

Today in Inagua we:
.Finished MyFrienda's roof and fell in love with him.
.Finished 80% of Cestina and Berkey Finley's roof...and ate some great snapper with conch and rice.
.Helped coordinate the landing and delivery of more donated materials from Nassau.
.Took over some of the responsibilities of NEMA for the weekend so that the director could go be with his kids for their Confirmation.

...and I was also called an Abaconian, which means that the lady I was speaking to, thought I was White Bahamian from Abaco...I love when that happens.

I am continually amazed at how God is pulling everything together down here. Sometimes I think it's "me"...haha So wrong I am.

We are tackling a huge roof on Saturday..."Pa" Williams is the next on the list, and this is going to be big one.

Peace and Love.
Abe


ps: It is my hope that with these emails, I am allowing you all to be a part of the ministry and relief effort from so far away. Please feel free to pass these updates on to anyone that you think would enjoybeing a part of Bahamas Methodist Habitat.

Abraham (Abe) McIntyre, Executive Director
Bahamas Methodist Habitat
Camp Symonette, James Cistern
Eleuthera, Bahamas
615-469-7974 USA
242-335-6210 Camp
242-422-9318 Cell
http://www.methodisthabitat.org/

Relieving Disaster, Promoting Community

If you wish to contribute to rebuilding projects through the Bahamas Methodist Habitat click on the following web-address: http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=81

Prayer Shawl Workshop, Glendale UM Church, Saturday, October 18, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.-- Meet the women who gave birth to a worldwide ministry

Meet the original founders of The Prayer Shawl Ministry, Janet Bristow & Victoria Galo
At a Prayer Shawl Workshop

Saturday, October 18th, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Glendale United Methodist Church
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to meet the women who gave birth to a worldwide ministry.

Walk away with a renewed Spirit

.Learn New Techniques and Shawl Tips
.Hear Inspirational Stories
.Recommended Guidelines for Local Ministry
.Guided Meditation
.Prayer and Shawl Making Time
.Question and Answer Period
.Lunch Provided

A Creative Ministry
In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in 1997 Women’s Leadship Institute at the Hartford Seminary of applied Feminist Spirituality under direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS.

Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined intoa prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

Besides the obvious reasons of comfort during illness or grief, the shawls can be given for times of joy and celebration, such as: nursing shawls for new mothers, baptisms, birthdays, bridal gifts, ordinations, upon entering a nursing home, rites of passge, etc.

Sign Up:
Prayer Shawl Workshop (Includes Lunch)

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

$40.00

Clip out registration form and send to Glendale United Methodist Church

-------------------------------------------------

Name: ________________________________

Address: ______________________________

Phone: _______________________________

email: ________________________________

*Send check/money order along with sign-up form to:
Attention Lindsey Hill,

Glendale Methodist Church,

900 Glendale Lane,

Nashville, TN 37204

-------------------------------------------------

Abe McIntyre Stresses Need for Volunteers and VIM Teams on Inagua

It's about time….first home COMPLETE on Inagua!

No more wish'n we here…we are here and the work's get'n done!
Now we need YOU to come and join our team.


We have:
+pilots ready to bring YOU down (YOU will need to get to Ft. Lauderdale)
+a cot with YOU name on it
+roofs for YOU to scrape, clean and shingle
+plenty of materials for YOU to work with.
+ -- and plenty of cleanup work to keep all of us busy!

John Nixon, our NEMA point man, stated today, "I'm only staying here for three weeks". A local man asked, "YOU work miracles?"

And I promptly responded, "We've got miracles come'n!"

So let's make it happen. YOU can be apart of the miracle.

Inagua needs YOU!

YOU will need to bring:
Passport
Work clothes
Light sheets, small pillow
Toiletries and towel
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Snacks (ex: energy bars, crackers, peanuts)
Groceries (we have some food here but each person will need to bring some along with them)
A few small comfort items b/c were still rough'n it.
Basic tools, especially ones that, if you leave at home, will make you say, "Man I wish I had brought my ______"

Projects
Roofs
Yard and Home Cleanup

Tools
Hammer
Tape Measure
Cat pawsFlat/Pry bar
Chalk Line
Hand saw
Gloves
Chain saw (if weight allows)
Cutlass (Machete)
Air Compressor and hoses
Nail gun and nails

Angel Flights
Please email Bill Shivers and Laura Schaus with YOUR completed form.
wnshivers@aol.com laurajschaus@yahoo.com

---------------------------------------
Full Name:

Address:

Work #:

Home #:

Cell #:

Gender:

Date of Birth:

Weight (lbs.):

Height (ft./in):

Passport (Y/N):

----------------------------------------

See YOU soon!
Peace and Love.
Abe

Abraham (Abe) McIntyre
Executive Director, Bahamas Methodist Habitat
Camp Symonette, James Cistern
Eleuthera, Bahamas
615-469-7974 USA
242-335-6210 Camp
242-422-9318 Cell
www.MethodistHabitat.org

Relieving Disaster, Promoting Community

For donations to relieve the Disasters in the Caribbean
http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=81

U.S. religious leaders urge moral hurricane response

By United Methodist News Service

Debris is piled up along the streets of Galveston, Texas, after Hurricane Ike hit the U.S. Gulf Coast on Sept. 13. A UMNS photo by Jocelyn Augustino, FEMA.

U.S. religious leaders are calling for a prompt and just "moral response" from government leaders as Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have heaped more pain and suffering on the shoulders of the people of the Gulf Coast and Cuba.

More than 100 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders signed an interfaith statement criticizing the slow pace of hurricane recovery since 2005 and urging bipartisan solutions. They expressed particular concern for children and people who are poor, sick or vulnerable.

"Three years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck and the levees breached, the slow pace of recovery and the new needs caused by Ike and Gustav's destruction have created a moral crisis along the Gulf Coast that demands a powerful response from people of faith," the Sept. 15 statement said.

While noting that the Bush administration promised in 2005 to rebuild the Gulf Coast, the religious leaders say the region is still plagued by the collapse of local institutions, homelessness, internal displacement, poverty, abusive labor practices and environmental degradation.

They urged federal officials to cross party lines and enact the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, which would provide jobs to restore the region, and to make it a priority to help families return and participate in rebuilding their communities, create living wage jobs, restore the coastal wetland and ensure human rights along the Gulf Coast.

Among those signing the statement were Jim Winkler, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the church's social action agency, and the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, chief executive of the National Council of Churches.

Prayers for Cuba
Meanwhile, the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops called for prayers for storm survivors in Cuba and questioned U.S. government policies that have led to decreased humanitarian relief response to the Caribbean nation.

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer cited the government's failure in 2006 to renew the license of the United Methodist Global Ministries, the parent agency of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Without the license, UMCOR cannot provide aid to Cuba, its leaders say. Other church denominations have lost their licenses as well.

"Explore in your congregational learning groups the issues which create these divisions and policies," Palmer said in a Sept. 15 statement (http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2454759&content_id={83F739A2-D1DB-4D75-AE4F-6FF848D478AC}&notoc=1). "They tragically prevent the responses we wish to make to the promptings of our hearts and our faith commitments."

The Methodist Church in Cuba has more than 20,000 members, and Cuba's 243 Methodist congregations are engaged in cooperative relief efforts.

More needed in the Gulf Coast
According to the interfaith letter, more than 2,000 people have died and the storms have caused more than $150 billion in damages. Diverse faith group have donated generously and volunteered thousands of hours to rebuild many of the restored homes in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

"We have learned that acts of faith and mercy alone, no matter how profound, cannot provide everything needed for a sustainable recovery," the religious leaders wrote. "Gulf Coast families deserve a federal government that recognizes their needs by rebuilding their communities, supporting basic human rights of all communities, addressing poverty and displacement, and confronting coastal erosion."

Specifically, the leaders asks the next presidential administration and Congress to honor the third anniversary of Katrina and Rita and survivors of Ike and Gustav by pledging to:
.Pass policy based on the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act for a resident-led partnership to rebuild vital public infrastructure, restore the environment and create good jobs and economic opportunities for residents and returning displaced families;
.Increase funding for federal, state and local partnerships in the Gulf Coast to create more affordable housing and promote home ownership for returning families, workers and residents moving out of unsafe FEMA trailers;
.Support federal funding to restore the coastal wetlands and barrier islands that form the Gulf Coast's natural barriers to flooding and to build improved levee systems to create a comprehensive flood control system which could protect all Gulf Coast communities from another Category 5 storm.

On the ground in Inagua -- updated report by our Tennessee Conference person on the scene, Abe McIntyre, Director of Bahamas Habitat

We made it and we are right in the middle of it!

KP, Andre and I made it to Inagau about 11:00 am with WAY more baggage than we were supposed to bring (shhhhhh)

Commander Steven Russell, NEMA Director, put us in contact with John Nixon who is the Inagua NEMA Point Man and has already had KP and I go assess 10 senior citizen's homes right off the bat. He has brought us right into the middle of the mix and seems to be relying on us heavily, which is just fine with us.

Materials:
The $100,000 worth of materials that were donated to NEMA by a local Bahamian to Inagua are here on the grounds at the Defense Force Base. John Nixon has also made me apart of the "Disbursement" process team.

There is a ton of plywood, a lot of shingles and felt, drip edge, shingles ...but no lumber.
However, the man who donated the $100K told NEMA, "Just tell me what you need and I will put it on the next boat". This is a huge blessing.

In regards to the $100K donation, it is a huge blessing to Inagua but it does not affect The Turks and Caicos or Haiti which we will be moving on to after we complete Inagua. We have a long road ahead of us so remember we are in it for the marathon and not the sprint.

KP and Andre worked at the Primary School today repairing the windows while the Defense Force crews worked on the roof.

The Morton Salt Boat may leave on Wed, Thur, Fri from Cape Canaveral, FL.
I will be putting together a list of supplies that we need on the Morton Boat and emailing it tomorrow.

If you would like to help get supplies on the boat, please email:
Kathy McCulloch: atmkom@comcast.net and Linda Vance: lvance49@earthlink.net

Volunteering:
We need hands. NEMA wants me to get volunteers and told me "these locals got to help out too..we ain't gunna have these americans come all the way and these boys from Nassau come and our people ain't help'n". The families we have talked to seem very willing to help out in any way.

If you are willing to come volunteer and need Angel Flight transportation from Ft. Lauderdale please email: Bill Shivers, wnshivers@aol.com

See you all soon!

Peace and Love.

Abe

To contribute to rebuilding the hard hit areas in the Caribbean go the the Bahamas Habitat web site at http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=81

Ministry builds, recycles cottages for elderly people

A transportable cottage, built in partnership with the United Methodist Relief Center in Charleston County, S.C., will be moved to the property of Robert Simmons, 69, to replace his partially collapsed home. A UMNS photo by Heidi Robinson.

By Heidi Robinson*

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (UMNS)-Robert Simmons surveys the blue tarp tacked to the roof of the home that he built more than four decades ago for his mother and himself.

"I won't be sad when they tear this down. In fact, it will be a good day," says Simmons, 69, noting the house's warped metal roofing and rotting wood.

Simmons isn't a sentimental homeowner. His house is literally collapsing around him, and buckets have become permanent fixtures throughout the living area to collect rainwater trickling through leaks in the ceiling. To get drinking water, he must go down the road to his brother's house because Simmons' tap water is "full of rust."

But things are about to change for the retired paper mill worker, who suffers from emphysema and can't afford to make repairs on a $7,000 annual income.

"I prayed to God for help," says Simmons "I'm a man of few words, but I can tell you a good thing is coming."

About 15 miles away, a crew of South Carolina home inspectors hammer a ceiling into the new one-bedroom, one-bath cottage being built for Simmons in partnership with the United Methodist Relief Center.

It's a Saturday morning, and 65-year-old Bill Jacques could be golfing or fishing. But he's happy instead to work with his hands. "We're doing this for someone who needs us," Jacques says.

The crew comes from two professional organizations-South Carolina American Society of Home Inspectors and South Carolina Association of Home Inspectors. The groups collectively donated $10,000 and more than 700 volunteer hours working on this cottage and expect to finish in a matter of weeks.

"No one complains about coming here on Saturdays," says Kevin Westendorff. "There is something deep inside us that makes us want to help people. We get satisfaction out of this."

Residents 'deserve dignity'
The United Methodist Relief Center picks up the rest of the $35,000 price tag for the 700-square-foot home. When finished, the cottage will meet the strictest building codes and could be placed anywhere in the state.

"We intentionally named this program Elderly Transportable Housing," says Pat Goss, executive director of United Methodist Relief Center, explaining that the mobile cottages are home for these senior citizens.

"These are the people who worked hard all their lives, took care of children, and now they deserve dignity for their later years."

Simmons sits in front of his current home. A UMNS photo by Heidi Robinson.

The average cottage recipient is 85 years old, and most live on incomes of less than $7,000 a year-usually a combination of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments.

"Most of these folks have worked their entire lives, but not in jobs that provided retirement or security," Goss says. "One elderly man moved into his cottage at the age of 93 and lived to be 101! We believe having safe, secure housing extends the health and lives of these seniors."

More than 50 of the transportable cottages have been built and moved around the state. UMRC partners on the projects with United Methodist congregations as well as Catholic, Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. The majority are built by volunteers in church parking lots.

"We're doing two important things," Goss says. "We're not only helping the people who live in these beautiful cottages, we're also helping the folks who volunteer to construct them. Volunteers build their faith when they build these homes."

Overcoming poverty
UMRC opened its doors in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo devastated counties in South Carolina and other areas of the southeastern United States. Initially, the center performed disaster relief, but officials soon realized that poverty was claiming as many homes as the storms were.

"Most of our neighbors who receive these homes live in conditions that are unacceptable. They are not going to report that they don't have indoor plumbing or a safe source of heat, and they have no way to fix it," says volunteer Clarence Westendorff, 65.

The program provides the recipients with not only a new home, but a fully furnished one-right down to plates and silverware. "All they need to bring is their clothing," Westendorff says.

UMRC maintains ownership, insurance and maintence on the cottages and leases the homes to recipients at no cost for as long as they need independent housing. After a recipient moves to managed care or dies, the home returns to UMRC and volunteers or church groups refurbish them, sharing the $15,000 cost with UMRC. The resurrected cottages are then given to new recipients.

"It's the ultimate recycling program," Westendorff says.

This year alone, eight cottages came back to UMRC for refurbishing, and the waiting list for seniors citizens needing safe housing stands at 45.

On the move
Another UMRC program recycles old beachfront homes that are being discarded in an exclusive resort area outside of Charleston.

"Beachfront houses on Isle of Palms shot up to the millions of dollars in value, but the value was in the beach," Goss says. "The people buying the property didn't want the 12-1,500-square-foot cottages."

But UMRC did. In 1999, its Houses on the Move began transporting the unwanted beach homes to rural families.

"These are the folks who live at the end of dirt roads. They are not complaining about their needs, but their living conditions are substandard. Their homes are not repairable, and they need help for themselves and their children," Goss says.

More than 70 homes have been moved from Isle of Palms and given to new owners. The recipients' average income is well below $20,000 for a family of four.

"We are a tangible witness to the love of God in this world," Goss says. "These homes are about giving people hope."

*Robinson is a freelance producer based in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Hurricane Ike response begins in Texas, Louisiana

A FEMA team searches Sept. 14 for stranded residents in Sabine, Texas, flooded when Hurricane Ike struck the U.S. Gulf Coast on Sept. 13. A UMNS photo by Jocelyn Augustino, FEMA.

By United Methodist News Service*

Cautioning that the work ahead will be expansive and costly, United Methodists in Texas and Louisiana have begun to assess damage from Hurricane Ike and respond to emergency needs along the storm's wide trail of destruction on the heels of Hurricane Gustav.

With 110-mph winds, Ike pounded the U.S. coast on Sept. 13, submerging thousands of homes and leaving millions of people without power as it swept northward. The storm has killed at least 30 people in Texas, Louisiana and states as far north as Illinois and Ohio, according to news reports.

Officials with the United Methodist Committee on Relief have been in contact with Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the church's Houston Area and Don Cottrill, director of connectional ministries in Louisiana.

United Methodists were not able to get assessment teams into the stricken areas immediately "but hopefully that will happen today (Sept. 15)," said the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR's top executive.

Residents who chose to ride out Hurricane Ike on Galveston Island, Texas, wait for transportation to a shelter in San Antonio. A UMNS photo by Patsy Lynch, FEMA

Leaders of the church's Texas Annual (regional) Conference have requested UMCOR supplies for distribution, and UMCOR representative Sandra Kennedy-Owes was en route there to determine other needs.

"The impact of Ike and other hurricanes on life and property extends from Haiti to Houston," Huie said. "We are so appreciative of UMCOR's ability to quickly respond to the needs of so many."

South Texas gets slammed
The Texas conference is establishing relief and recovery offices in Houston and Beaumont, and staff is working to find out the status of each of the conference's more than 700 churches, including five congregations in Galveston, the hardest-hit city.

Many United Methodist churches are serving as shelters. Among them is Christ United Methodist Church in College Station, which is housing 180 residents, staff and families from Edgewater Retirement Home in Galveston.

Huie began a two-day tour of hurricane-ravaged areas with district superintendents. She visited the district southeast of Houston, including Beaumont, on Sept. 15 and planned to travel south to Galveston on Sept. 16.

"Both of those areas have significant damage, and we're still trying to find out how much. We know we have major, major damage to churches, parsonages and homes," said the Rev. Rick Goodrich, assistant to the bishop.

Houston, where the conference office is located, was spared significant structural damage, but most of the city's electricity was knocked out. The conference office, however, has its electricity and phone service intact, enabling staff members to coordinate disaster recovery and relief.

"We are blessed in that regard," said Goodrich. "But it's catastrophic in areas along the coast. It's going to be a very difficult situation for a long time. We need prayers."

Goodrich urged early response and recovery teams to stay away until the conference is ready to receive them.

"We appreciate everyone's heart to help us, but right now we need people to use their heads, too," he said. "We really need people to understand that we don't want anyone showing up uninvited. We can't deal with that right now. When we're ready to receive them, we will let everyone know. There's going to be a lot of work to do."

Louisiana hit again
Louisiana anticipates a need for case managers and for direct aid, Cottrill told Dixon in an e-mail.
"Our damage will be nowhere near that of Texas this time. But there has nonetheless been a great deal of wind and water-related damage on our coast and into the interior," Cottrill wrote on Sept. 15.

As they were still assessing wind-related damage from Gustav, church leaders said Hurricane Ike flooded most of the state's 250-mile coast, sweeping over many of the same towns and coastal spots flooded by hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005.

Although the city of New Orleans escaped the brunt of the latest storm, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes reported extensive flooding. And the Native American community of Dulac, La., was once again flooded, with water reported in the United Methodist-owned community center and in Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church.

Preliminary reports from coastal parishes indicated that many of the same families assisted by the conference disaster response ministry after the 2005 storms were flooded once again. "A lot of the work just completed in the low-lying areas has come unraveled," said the Rev. Darryl Tate, the church's director of disaster response in Louisiana.

Just north of New Orleans, Lake Ponchartrain rose and caused some flooding in the Slidell area, where the disaster response ministry recently had closed most of its cases and shut down its offices in Slidell and Abbeville.

Tate stressed that help will be needed from across The United Methodist Church as disaster response efforts ramp up again in the wake of Gustav and Ike. "UMCOR funding for response to Katrina and Rita cannot be used in this newest effort," Tate said. "Those funds must remain designated to the projects we are still working on to complete that work. Financial gifts and assistance will be badly needed to tackle the work that lies ahead in helping survivors of Gustav and Ike."

To aid Ike recovery work, send financial donations to UMCOR Advance No. 3019695, "Hurricanes 2008, Hurricane Ike." Mail checks to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, and write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check. Credit-card donations can be made online. Donations for Gustav recovery work should be so designated.

Meanwhile, UMCOR's Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La., is open and in need of assembled flood buckets and cleaning supplies. Its managers ask that people call before making a delivery so that supplies can be shipped to the appropriate distribution area.

For information about volunteering in affected areas, United Methodists should contact their jurisdictional Volunteer in Mission coordinator.

*Contributing to this report were Linda Bloom, a United Methodist News Service writer based in New York; Betty Backstrom, director of communications for the Louisiana Annual Conference; Eleanor Colvin, director of communications for the Texas Annual Conference; and Melissa Hinnen, a staff writer for UMCOR.

Palmer Urges Prayer for Storm Victims in Cuba

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, President of the Council of Bishops, is urging United Methodists to pray for the people of Cuba who are suffering from the devastation of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

U.S. government policies are blocking the denomination's desire to provide financial and other assistance to victims in the island nation, said Bishop Palmer. The long term U.S. economic embargo against Cuba's government prevents the United Methodist Committee on Relief from sending money to Cuba to help hurricane victims. Other denominations face the same problem, Palmer said.

The text of Bishop Palmer’s statement follows:

The Pastors and People of the United Methodist Church in the United States

Storms continue to leave tragedy and challenging rebuilding across the United States and in other nations. Through UMCOR, and other denominational and ecumenical partnerships, efforts are being made to offer assistance immediately and in the long term.

The Methodist Church of Cuba, its leaders and people, and their fellow citizens, are the focus of this letter to you. They have been devastated by the recent storms named Gustav and Ike. The 243 congregations with nearly 20,000 members are engaged in cooperative relief efforts.

Because of U.S. government policies, in particular the 2006 year action of non-renewal of a license to the General Board of Global Ministries, reported recently in our church press, we have not been able to send funds into Cuba. Other denominations have also lost their licenses.

As President of the Council of Bishops, I write to you asking:

.That you pray to our God in Jesus Christ, that our sisters and brothers in Cuba have the strength to withstand these storm ravaged weeks and are enabled to recover their lives, property and continue their witness of the gospel.
.That you make response to any appeals which UMCOR, our agencies, bishops and volunteer coordinating groups may make to advance permitted relief and rehabilitation efforts.
.That you be aware of the efforts of the Roman Catholic bishops in the USA in petitioning President Bush, as they wrote, “in light of the devastation and humanitarian disaster caused by recent hurricanes in Cuba and the efforts of extended families, friends and organizations to reach those in need,…(you are urged)… to suspend – even temporarily - Treasury and Commerce Department restrictions and licensing requirements for humanitarian travel and remittances by American citizens and assistance by not-for-profit organizations.”
.That you explore in your congregational learning groups the issues which create these divisions and policies. They tragically prevent the responses we wish to make to the promptings of our hearts and our faith commitments.

With my gratitude for the many ways that your lives and stewardship bring relief and reconciliation across the globe, in the name of Jesus Christ,

Gregory V. Palmer
President
The Council of Bishops

United Methodist leaders tour hard-hit Texas areas

Hurricane Ike peeled the roof off the day school at Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont, Texas. A UMNS photo by Bishop Janice Riggle Huie.

By Eleanor L. Colvin*

HOUSTON (UMNS)-United Methodist leaders in Texas feared the worst is yet to be discovered as they began touring churches and communities battered by Hurricane Ike and its 110-mph winds.

"The real question is, what is the damage in Galveston?" asked the Rev. Don Waddleton, a district superintendent whose oversight includes the barrier island community. "We cannot get in there to assess."

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, who leads the church's Texas Annual (regional) Conference, traveled to areas south and east of Houston Sept. 15-16, but authorities blocked her group from reaching Galveston, a city of 57,000 people with five United Methodist churches. Another 20 of the denomination's churches dot nearby areas in and around Freeport, Texas City, LaMarque and Baytown.

Ike was the worst storm to hit Texas in 25 years and killed at least 40 people in 10 states, including 11 in Texas.

Galveston was among the hardest hit. City government leaders have urged residents to stay away from the coastal community, saying the city is unsafe as a massive cleanup begins with no power and little clean drinking water.

Relief and recovery
Huie reflected on her tour of damage in a Sept. 16 message posted on her conference's Web site (http://www.txcumc.org/bishop_letter_detail.asp?TableName=oBishop_Weekly_Letter_EKVHVN&PKValue=10).

"While this hurricane was very bad in places, we are also grateful to God for the limited loss of life," Huie wrote. "The eye of the hurricane landed on our shores, and tropical-force winds extended all the way to the northeast edge of the conference before exiting to the east. Thousands of United Methodists in the Texas Annual Conference are in the process of relief and recovery from Hurricane Ike."

Three days after the storm hit landfall on Sept. 13, more than 2 million homes remain without electricity in Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city. Damage was also significant in Beaumont, which lies 78 miles east of Houston.

"One of the saddest sights is at Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont where the winds peeled back the metal roof covering the Praise and Family Life Center as though someone had opened a can of pork and beans," Huie wrote.

The center housed recovery ministries for 2005's Hurricane Rita, in addition to a childcare facility and fellowship hall.

"Children's artwork, their cots and teaching supplies are covered with wet insulation and ceiling tiles," Huie wrote. "It is a mess. However, given the indomitable spirit at Wesley, more than 20 volunteers worked all day yesterday to clean up the water, move Rita Recovery to the choir room, and begin putting their facility in order again. Rita Recovery will be open again today."

A Sept. 15 tour of the southeast district, which covers the Rita-ravaged "Golden Triangle" of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, found at least three United Methodist churches demolished-Bay Vue, Bolivar and Sabine Pass.

The roof was blown off the activity center that housed a homeless ministry in Houston. A UMNS photo courtesy of Servants of Christ Parish.

Additionally, Ike ripped off roofs of at least a half dozen churches across the conference's more than 700 churches. It also tore off the roof of its east district office, which is housed 120 miles inland in Lufkin. Flooding ranged from six inches to nearly six feet in churches and parsonages.

Huie has requested a $10,000 emergency grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR representative Sandra Kennedy-Owes accompanied the bishop on the second leg of her two-day assessment tour.

Despite the inability to pinpoint specific needs, the Texas conference and UMCOR have mobilized to provide flood buckets, ice and other resources in impacted areas. Three UMCOR distribution sites have been established at United Methodist churches in Vidor, La Porte and League City.

Ahead of the storm
Before the storm hit, representatives of the conference's nine districts loaded tools into trailers that will equip early-response teams to help disaster survivors. Stocked with everything from ladders and axes to box fans and flashlights, the trailers will support district emergency response teams and will be housed at a local church within each of the nine districts.

"These districts are prepared to respond to disasters within their own district, within the conference and everywhere," said the Rev. Rick Goodrich, assistant to the bishop, who mobilized the units on Sept. 16.

The Rev. Clay Whitaker, disaster response coordinator for the conference, said providing the trailers and essential tools for recovery zone work was a vital step in equipping Texas conference volunteers. The conference has nearly 300 trained and certified early responders.

"We're trying to do better about getting (to disasters) quickly," Whitaker said. "We're great at getting there and staying the longest. We're the best at staying the longest. We've not been the best at getting there quickly, and this will help."

To aid Ike recovery work, send financial donations to UMCOR Advance No. 3019695, "Hurricanes 2008, Hurricane Ike." Mail checks to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, and write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check. Credit-card donations can be made online.

*Colvin is the director of communications for the Texas Annual Conference.

Lack of license limits UMCOR response in Cuba

Survivors walk down a rubble-filled alley in Holguin, Cuba, after Hurricane Ike struck the island on Sept. 9. A UMNS Web-only photo courtesy of the Rev. Ivelis Matthews

By Linda Bloom*

NEW YORK (UMNS)-United Methodists are expressing frustration over not being able to provide disaster relief to Cubans hit hard by the 2008 hurricane season.

MARCHA, the Hispanic/Latino caucus within The United Methodist Church, is calling upon the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries "to provide funding as soon as possible to the Methodist Church in Cuba so that it can continue and expand its ministry of relief and humanitarian aid to the victims of these hurricanes."

The caucus's Sept. 9 statement, signed by MARCHA president Raúl Alegria and Bishop Elías Galván, interim executive director, also asked all church members to pray for the Cuban church, Cuban people and those in other Caribbean countries affected by recent hurricanes and tropical storms.

In a statement issued on the same day, the Board of Global Ministries explained why the mission agency, which oversees the United Methodist Committee on Relief, has not been able to respond to two monster hurricanes in Cuba.

"In 2006, the federal government failed to renew the license of the General Board of Global Ministries … to send funds into Cuba for ministries of various kinds. Many other denominations have also lost their licenses," the statement said.

Efforts to provide U.S. aid to Cuba are complicated by a half-century standoff between the two countries, which includes a broad U.S. trade embargo.

MARCHA noted that both the denomination as a whole and the caucus itself has repeatedly called for an end to the trade embargo.

"At this time when Cuba has suffered heavily due to these hurricanes, when many thousands of people urgently need humanitarian aid, and when many of our Methodist church buildings have been destroyed, we clearly need a change in this U.S. policy, even if on a temporary basis to respond to the emergency," the caucus said.

MARCHA called upon the U.S. government to quickly grant licenses to allow religious and other humanitarian organizations to provide aid in Cuba and to allow Cuban-American families to send money to their families in Cuba beyond the currently allowed $300 a quarter.

The caucus also applauded action taken by the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico to pray and raise funds to support the Methodist Church in Cuba.

Cannot act
Gustav hit western Cuba with winds of 150 mph on Aug. 30, damaging or destroying 100,000 houses and crippling the nation's agricultural industry and infrastructure. Hurricane Ike followed on Sept. 9, damaging 200,000 homes and dumping heavy rains on storm-ravaged tobacco and sugar cane crops. At least five people were killed.

Despite the widespread need, UMCOR is "stymied in its ability to act" in Cuba, according to the Rev. Sam Dixon, the agency's top executive. Continued attempts to restore the license have been unsuccessful.

"Without the license, UMCOR/GBGM is not legally permitted to send money directly or indirectly through a third party into Cuba," Dixon said in an e-mail message. "Violation of this license carries severe consequences for UMCOR/GBGM as well as the denomination."

The Board of Global Ministries is allowed to send volunteer teams into Cuba to work with the church there, and the first team sponsored through the board's Mission Volunteers is expected to arrive on Sept. 19. Legally, however, UMCOR cannot send funds with those teams, Dixon said.

Church World Service, a U.S.-based ecumenical humanitarian agency, is permitted to send modest amounts of school kits and blankets into Cuba. Action by Churches Together International, the international faith-based disaster response organization to which both CWS and UMCOR belong, is gathering financial support for member organizations that can legally work in Cuba. "UMCOR may not legally support either effort or similar efforts by other partner agencies." Dixon said.

A Sept. 9 news release from the U.S. State Department announced that, in response to Hurricane Gustav, the government had "increased existing authorizations for U.S.-based NGOs to provide larger amounts of humanitarian assistance, including in the form of cash donations, to help address the basic needs of the Cuban people."

Because of the reference to "existing authorizations" and the direction in the release for donations to be sent "to reputable humanitarian assistance organizations that are licensed to send humanitarian aid to Cuba," Dixon was not optimistic about the possibility of UMCOR receiving a limited license.

"We at UMCOR/GBGM are deeply troubled by our inability to respond to the needs of the people of Cuba," Dixon said. "The mandate from the denomination under which we operate and our deeply held desire to serve those in need make this a very difficult experience for us. Our prayers are with the Methodist Church as it seeks to minister to those in need and to all who are in need this day."

Methodists in Cuba are providing some relief but are severely limited financially. Reports on this work of the Methodist Church of Cuba can be found in Spanish and English on the church's Web site (http://imecu.org/index.php).

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.

UMCOR assists storm-ravaged people in Haiti

Tropical Storm Hanna passes over Haiti and the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola on Sept. 2. A UMNS photo illustration by Jeff Schmaltz, NASA.

By Melissa Hinnen*

NEW YORK (UMNS)-The United Methodist Committee on Relief is responding to four catastrophic storms that tore through Haiti in less than a month.

Hundreds of deaths and extensive flooding have been reported, and thousands of homes and livelihoods destroyed. In a country with limited resources and widespread poverty, more than 650,000 people have been left especially vulnerable.

UMCOR Haiti is on the ground responding with targeted direct assistance, and personnel that evacuated during the storms have returned safely. The office in Cap Haitien sustained minimal damage, and the staff is working in the North Department of Haiti, providing disaster relief for the short and long term.

Thomas Dwyer, director of operations for UMCOR's non-governmental organization unit, said that "in tandem with immediate relief, we are providing support to assist in rebuilding peoples' lives.

"Families will need tools and materials to help repair their homes, and children will need school supplies to return to school," Dwyer said. "UMCOR is prepared and resources are mobilized to help people through this difficult process."

Survivors of Hurricane Ike walk down a rubble-filled street in Holguin, Cuba. A UMNS Web-only photo courtesy of the Rev. Ivelis Matthews

Hurricane Ike, which formed at the beginning of September, was the most recent storm to strike Haiti and Cuba. However, U.S. law prohibits UMCOR and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, its parent agency, from providing direct assistance in Cuba. In 2006, the federal government failed to renew the board's license to send funds into Cuba for ministries of various kinds. Many other denominations have also lost their licenses.

Assistance packages
Emergency relief kits and materials will be distributed to displaced people and orphanages in Cap Haitien. UMCOR Haiti is offering a variety of assistance packages to families, including long-term access to potable water, cash for work activities to help clean up the affected areas, school kits, cook stove and building materials.

UMCOR Haiti also is exploring working with the World Food Program and Christian Aid to distribute health and hygiene kits, Dwyer said.

In addition to the NGO work, UMCOR is partnering with other organizations through Action by Churches Together to address humanitarian needs created by the storms.

United Methodists have a longstanding relationship with the people of Haiti. Strong ties between the Methodist Church of Haiti and UMCOR helped facilitate the opening of the UMCOR Haiti field office in 2005.

A primary goal of UMCOR Haiti is to help survivors recover from 2004's Hurricane Jeanne. Agency workers have distributed relief supplies consisting of health and school kits from UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana to more than 13,300 beneficiaries in public schools, local associations and medical centers in program sites around the Northern District as well as areas surrounding Port-au-Prince.

Additionally, UMCOR has distributed approximately 380 school and health kits to vulnerable people through a clinic in Berthanie in the community of Cavalion, Southern Haiti.

Donations support UMCOR's work to address the immediate relief and long-term recovery of those affected by the hurricanes in Haiti. Mail checks to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, and write "UMCOR Advance 418325, Haiti Emergency" on the memo line. Online gifts can be made at http://www.givetomission.org/.

Methodists in Cuba have responded to the hurricane damage, although they are severely limited financially. Reports on this work of the Methodist Church of Cuba can be found in Spanish and English on the church's Web site (http://imecu.org/index.php).

*Hinnen is a staff writer for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

College students meet million-meal challenge

Students pack meals at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill during Stop Hunger Now’s Million Meal Event on Aug. 23. UMNS photos by John Gordon.

By John Gordon*

RALEIGH, N.C. (UMNS)-Take more than 4,000 students and volunteers, add tons of rice and soy, then blend well for one day.

Those ingredients made for a record-breaking challenge as students from eight North Carolina colleges and universities joined together to pack more than a million meals for hungry people. The food is now en route to El Salvador, Haiti and India.

Stop Hunger Now (http://www.stophungernow.org/), a Raleigh-based non-profit organization, held the Aug. 23 challenge on the campuses of North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and East Carolina University at Greenville.

"We're really excited to be here and hopefully we can make a big difference," said Mariana Chuck, a Duke University graduate student. "I think that people lose sight of what's going on in the world."

The need for food is critical, said the Rev. Ray Buchanan, a United Methodist minister and founder of Stop Hunger Now.

"World hunger is the biggest obscenity of our age," he said. "Right now, over 850 million-that's two-thirds of the world's population-goes hungry every single day."

The students set up funnel stations to fill plastic bags with soy, a chicken flavoring capsule that contains 21 vitamins, dehydrated vegetables and rice. Other students weighed, sealed and packed the bags and loaded the boxes onto trucks.

When mixed with hot water, each bag contains a balanced meal that can feed six people.

"I didn't realize, like, how many people were hungry in the world," said Lauren Vinesette, a student and member of the Raleigh Wesley Foundation, a United Methodist ministry for college students. "This is the highlight of my day. I think it's pretty cool that we can come together and do this."

Actor Jesse Metcalfe joins the assembly line at North Carolina State

Actor Jesse Metcalfe, best known for his recurring role on the ABC TV drama "Desperate Housewives," also dropped by to encourage the students.

"Twenty-five-thousand people a day die from hunger-related illnesses," Metcalfe said. "There's plenty of food to feed everyone on the planet. So, you know, why is this not being done?"

Stop Hunger Now began feeding the world's hungry 10 years ago. In that time, the organization has sent meals to more than 60 countries.

The organization's previous record for a one-day packaging event involving college students was 300,000 meals.

"We're in the midst of an unprecedented global food crisis," Buchanan said. "There's been a perfect storm of factors that have come together that have created a global food crisis that is threatening millions more people."

Buchanan said an increased demand for beef and chicken in China and India, combined with ethanol production in the United States, has increased the demand for corn and driven up prices. The recent sharp rise in fuel prices also has increased the cost of providing meals to developing countries.

The Rev. Steve Hickle, chairman of the board of Stop Hunger Now and pastor of Fairmont United Methodist Church in Raleigh, said the University Million Meal Event went a step beyond providing meals to the hungry. It also helped raise awareness.

Students load food boxes for distribution to El Salvador, Haiti and India

"I think at least 4,000 volunteers are all getting a message of hunger and taking that to heart," Hickle said. "So it's like a whole generation of people that's been awakened to what they can actually do about world hunger-to help raise the funds and work with the delivery system that is in place and really have an impact."

Student Brittany Johnson, another member of the Raleigh Wesley Foundation, said teamwork helped exceed the 1 million goal by more than 10,000 meals.

"There are so many people here that are just helping, and we get so much accomplished with everyone working together," she said.

Stop Hunger Now holds similar events, though on a smaller scale, at churches. With the help of students, churches and other volunteers, Buchanan believes the organization's goal is attainable.

"The vision of Stop Hunger Now is simply to achieve a world without hunger," he said. "We can do that-in our lifetime-if all of us simply will do what we can."

*Gordon is a freelance producer based in Marshall, Texas.

The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church takes up the challenge of responding to Hannah and Ike

The President of the BCMC, Rev. Bill Higgs states that the Methodist Church is in response mode and ready to work with those persons suffering loss and damage to their homes in The Bahamas as a direct result of the massive damage caused by Tropical Storm Hannah and Hurricane Ike. “Methodist Habitat, our Disaster Relief Agency, is working with our Methodist Partners in the United States to line up teams of volunteers to move into the islands affected by the storms”, Rev. Higgs said.

“Methodist Habitat is ready to work with all persons who have suffered damage to their homes; we are a non-partisan organization and our record speaks for itself; we do not help just Methodist members; we respond to the most severe needs and we work with NEMA and the Department of Social Services to ensure that all related matters are in order,” he said.

On Wednesday, September 10, Rev. Bill Higgs accompanied by Pastor Henry Whyte, Mr. Abe McIntyre and Mr. David Spangler spent the day in Matthew Town, Inagua making contact with the members of Wesley Methodist Church in Inagua and the entire Community.

Mr. Abraham McIntyre, Director of Methodist Habitat spent the last week in Florida working with Methodist Habitat Partners there and putting together a plan for teams of volunteers to travel to the devastated areas to offer help in doing what ever is necessary to improve conditions for the people who have suffered damage and loss.

The BCMC developed a model ministry of partnership with the Bahamas Government and the United Methodist Agencies in the US following the devastating path of Hurricane Andrew in North and Central Eleuthera in 1992. The model worked extremely well and the BCMC built a lot of houses in Eleuthera, Abaco, Cat Island and completed many repairs in those islands and also in Andros and Grand Bahama. The Methodist Church will continue to use that model of partnership with the Bahamas Government and the United Methodist Partners in the USA following the devastation caused by these two storms.

The President of the BCMC has called on all Methodists in The Bahamas to respond to the appeal to help bring relief to those who have suffered through the latest storms.

Pastor Henry Whyte asked to return to Inagua to lead the Methodist Church’s relief programme

On Sunday, August 31, 2008 hundreds of the residents of Inagua filled the Anglican Church Hall to say farewell to Pastor Henry Whyte who had served as Pastor of the Methodist Church in Inagua for four years. It was a time for many tears and farewells as the Inagua community said good bye to a caring man who was know for his visitation ministry to members of all denominations on the island and his counseling sessions with many of the people in the community.

Pastor Whyte and Rev. Dr. Laverne Lockhart were supposed to leave Inagua on Monday September 01 but Tropical Storm Hannah kept them on the island until Friday.

On Wednesday, September 10, Pastor Whyte returned to Inagua at the request of the President of Conference, to lead the BCMC Relief efforts in the community.

Pastor Whyte feels sure that the people will greet him warmly with: “We told you not to leave”


Mrs. Elmena Bethell, Vice President of The BCMC to lead a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the wake of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Hannah and Hurricane Ike

The new Vice President of the BCMC will lead a team of persons to the Turks and Caicos Islands to explore the possibilities of Methodist Habitat helping out in the relief efforts in those islands.

Mrs. Bethell, a native of South Caicos, was elected Vice President at the General Conference of the BCMC in May 2008. She will be installed as Vice President on Sunday, October 05, 2008 at 7.00 p.m. at Ebenezer Methodist Church.

Many members of Mrs. Bethell’s family suffered structural damage to their homes in South Caicos.

The BCMC will continue to keep the Bahamian public informed of ways that they can help in its disaster relief programme.

Rev. Jean Semé Joseph, Ministerial Moderator for the Methodist Church in the Eastern Abaco Region will head the BCMC’S Relief Programme to Haiti.

The Methodist Church and Queen’s College will launch an appeal to assist the people suffering from severe devastation in Haiti.

The Queen’s College Auditorium will be the depot for persons wishing to donate items to be shipped to Haiti.

Items to be received are: Clothing for men, women, children and babies; sheets, towels, small toys for children, house hold utensils and non-perishable food items. Persons donating items should be aware that these items have to be packed and shipped to Haiti and are asked to refrain from donating large items. We ask that persons also ensure that clothing and other items are in good condition. Donors are also asked to pre-sort their clothing items before bringing them to the Q.C. Auditorium. Items should be brought in firm card board boxes and labeled as to the content in each box.

The Principal and Administrative staff of Queen’s College made a decision early in the week to raise the awareness of the students at Q.C. in terms of the devastation and disaster occurring in Inagua, The Turks and Caicos Islands and Haiti following the three storms. “We anticipate that the PTA, parents of the school and all staff will rally to the call to help people who are suffering,” Ms. Andrea Gibson, principal, said.

The BCMC and Queen’s College will also partner with Cooperate Businesses, Rotary Clubs and with many of the Mail Boats servicing the Family Islands so that Family Islands can also be involved in this relief effort.

Rev. Jean Semé Joseph is a native of Haiti and has served as a Methodist Minister in Haiti and Jamaica for the past seven years. He recently joined the staff of the BCMC and on September 01, 2008 was appointed as the Ministerial Moderator of the Eastern Abaco Region which includes St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Dundas Town, Epworth Chapel in Cherokee Sound and St. James Methodist Church in Hope Town.

Persons interested in volunteering to assist with manning the depot are asked to call Queen’s College 393-2646 or the BCMC Office at 393-3726.

The Depot at the Q.C. Auditorium will be open for receiving items on Fridays, beginning on September 12 from 2.00 – 8.00 p.m. and on Saturdays, beginning on September 13, 8.00 – 5.00 p.m.

More than any thing else we need money to help fund the disaster relief programme. Here is how you can help!

We invite individuals, businesses, churches and all organizations to make a financial donation to the BCMC Disaster Relief Fund. The BCMC has a history of 16 years of Disaster Relief Programmes and continues to work to help those in need. Our ministry is carried out through Methodist Habitat, with Headquarters in James’ Cistern, Eleuthera, at Camp Symonette.

Donations can be mailed to Bahamas Methodist Habitat, P.O. Box S.S. 5103 or if you phone us we can collect your donation: 393-3726.
OR: Make a deposit to Methodist Habitat, Royal Bank of Canada, Mackey Street Branch (Branch # 05715) Account # 1284553

Abe McIntyre, Executive Director of the Bahamas Methodist Habitat, has further information for volunteers who are coming to help with reconstruction

Volunteers
-You will be Roughing It, be prepared.
-Nothing is there for us, we will need to bring everything. 110% Self-sustainable! We even brought our own water and food today for our short day trip.
-We will have a better idea in the morning of when you all can start coming in.
-Logistics are going to be a challenge but nothing that can not be mastered.
-We should have our volunteer fee figured out very soon as well as the arrangement with Angel Flights.
-If you are willing to be flexible....you are welcome to come in the first volunteer group....if not, please wait until at least the second trip. It is going to be great but flexibility is key

Donations
There has been some confusion how and where to donate funds.

Option 1: Click on the web address below and it will take you to our Bahamas Habitat website and allow you to donate on-line: http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=81

Option 2: Mail checks to our Bahamas Habitat Stateside Support 501(c)3 These donations are 100% USA tax deductible.Bahamas Habitat, 103 Dumbarton CtCary, North Carolina 27511-6305 (NC Corporation No. C200721900211-1FEIN: 87-0809313)

Specific Donations Needed (Qty)
We are expecing that all this will be coming in Duty Free, but we will take care of that side of things.
Generators, at least 5000 Kw (6)
Drinking water (As much as possible)
Non-perishable food (For local families and BMH Volunteers)
Large Ice Maker (1)
Cots (20)Large Tarps, at least 20'x20' (40)
Toiletries
Cleaning Supplies including Bleach, PineSol, and Mops
Roof Jacks, for steep roofs (4 sets)
Chain saws (3) including Replacement Chains (3) and Chain Lube (3)
Air Compressor (2)
Air Hoses (5 at least 50')
Shingle Nail Gun (4) and 1 1/4" Shingle nail coils (4 cases)
Ladders - 8' (4)

Thank you all and I look forward to seeing each of you all down here but if you can not make it, please support us by your financial assistance.

Abe McIntyre