Sorry I have not written to you since last week. We have been busy. We began last Wednesday morning and worked each day through Saturday. We took a day of rest on Sunday and began a new work week today.
So far we have completed 4 homes; a 5th home has been gutted and just needs to have the "Shockwave" treatment for the mold. A team of two of us will do that sometime tomorrow.
In the morning the whole team will begin a 6th home in Franklinton.
The number of volunteers has been amazing which is helping to complete the homes especially in the Franklinton area. Last week it was great to see the number of high school students that came out to help while on their Spring break. They really pitched in and accomplished so much.
Bogolusa is not too far from Franklinton and has more homes which need to be completed so we will begin working there most likely from Wednesday through Saturday and stay in Franklinton.
Today is day 25 since the flood occurred. We are so thankful for the families whose needs are being met. As of today there have been applications for 345 homes filed. Of that 289 homes have been completed and 56 remain. Of the 56 remaining homes 13 are in Franklinton and 43 are in Bogolusa.
When I say homes have been completed I should explain that this does not mean that people are back in their homes. It means that the Rapid Response teams have come in to muck out their homes and take care of sanitizing them in preparation of how to proceed from here. This is when insurance companies, FEMA and local Long Term Recovery Organizations decide how needs will be met and money distributed.
Based on the number of applications FEMA will decide if they will help, as well as other sources. Once this is done then families will figure out how they will be able to proceed. There is still the long reconstruction process which will take months.
Please pray for the families which are still displaced.
Please pray for all of the volunteers who are working in so many capacities. The church we are housed in is preparing meals for us each day, giving us food to pack for lunch, providing showers, laundry and so much more. We appreciate them so much!
Please pray for the World Renew - Rapid Response Team and our families at home. We are thankful for their willingness to support us while we are here.
Please pray for our safety as we work six days this week. Our hearts are willing but our bodies are not used to the physical and emotional toil.
We know by the people we have met and are serving that we are exactly where God wants us. We are so thankful that He sent each one of our seven team members. We are working well together and we see each day why we are all here.
Jeremiah 29: 11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Here are some photos of today's completed house.
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