WOO HOO!!! (katrina related)

Well, I had this dream a few days ago... I was driving a tractor trailer to the area that Katrina destroyed. I knew I had to do it. I didn't have a CLUE how (as I'm not driving for a company anymore and haven't in years). I called around... nobody was going down. I called the red cross. They only wanted money. I mentioned what I wanted to do. The lady said, well this guy called last week and he owns a trucking company, here is his number... so I called him. He said if I can find a place to park trailers, he will donate them... so now I have trucks.. nowhere to put them... I call my church.. they just want to donate money.. I feel like we needed to be proactive here and was suprised because my church is one that is out there with the people and VERY proactive... so I let it sit for a day or two and left a few messages and waited.

AND I got a call this morning...............

My church (big church!!) is parking a 53 footer (and if that gets full TWO or THREE, however many we need) and taking donations and we are going to drive those trucks down there OURSELVES and get to the vineyard churches in lafayette (our outreach pastor already called a number of people down there and he knows ALOT of people down there) and they are waiting for us.. will take care of things on that end for us... Next week we will park the trucks, put banners on them and advertise over the major stations here... (we have a few of our broadcasters in this area going to our church so they will put it on the news for us). Dayton Vineyard has stepped up to the plate again and I get to go along!!! We are going to get a team of people together and we are going down there! I can't wait! I'll put off school until January if I have to! I'm just excited to serve and go.. this SOOOOO rocks!!!

WOO HOO!!!! I feel like I've already helped so many people because I see where this is going! YEEHAAA!!!

Reply to
RJ
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Now that is what I call listening to God in your dream and doing what he commanded.

Good for you. Now be safe.

Hugs, Kate

Reply to
a-scrapbooking-diva

That's so wonderful, RJ! That's awesome news. I know there's aid (monetary & goods) being collected all over, but it still has to be taken in and given out. This is great news, RJ!!

Reply to
Deb in AR

Good job...We need more good people like you around.....Our prayers are with you and everyone else..... ~~Yanya~~

Reply to
Yanya

It feels so good.... now I just need to come up with moolah for expenses.. heck even my PARENTS are digging into their closests (and they are not big giver types) and sending me money for expenses!! My mom is even going to hand out my email at their family bbq tomorrow and at work too! WOO HOO! Not everyone wants to just write out a check to the red cross but actually touch people in person.. I'm going to get to help people I actually know and churches that are in the middle of all of this... whole congregations just wiped out.... I'm just so happy I get to do this!

Reply to
RJ

Thanks soo much! Pray our trucks get so full we need more!

Reply to
RJ

I can't wait! I know its going to be hard.. but you know what? I'll not shower for a week and eat crackers and cheese for a week to be there.. I don't care. I want to be able to give those people a hug and some hope you know?

Reply to
RJ

Way to go RJ! You rock girl. Please stay safe, k?

We have a number of trucks that have been going down from for a couple of days now. There is also a growing number of evacuees here in Little Rock and all around southern Arkansas. Our governor declared a state of emergency so that funds could be released to help out. They are a number being bused in. The fairgroud buildings are not only filling up but they are trying to also feed the people that were in hotels in this area that have run out of funds.

I'm glad that I can now go out and help in a more tangible way. So especially if you are in a bordering state, don't forget to listen to your local news as you may be able to help in a direct way more locally with the effort to help out those that escaped or have just gotten out.

M-C

Reply to
M-C
*blush* I'd just like to think if I needed help (and I have in the past) people would be there for me (and they have) Just paying it forward you know? I'll be with a group of awesome men and women from my church (actually I think me and one other lady and like 5 guys) so we are well protected... and these are AWESOME men... so it will be a pleasure working with them.

I can only imagine what its like being that close to it all. There are a few places online that if you have room to house a family for a few months and help them get on their feet, you can post your information. Please guys.. money is great for the short term, but in the long term, these people need love, support and compassion. Giving them a hug, a prayer, and food is worth more to them than a few dollars.

Now I need to find a source for diapers! LOL LOTS AND LOTS OF DIAPERS! LOL

Way to go RJ! You rock girl. Please stay safe, k?

Reply to
RJ

info on donating your home:

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Reply to
RJ

How about your walgreens and toys r'us and walmart?

M-C

Reply to
M-C

Working on that... my head pastor has now sunk his teeth into this and we have someone who is going to coordinate everything... he is great with this stuff and I'm going to assist him.. as he says, this is all "your" fault! LOL (looking at me!).. LOLOL

HOW FUN!

The ball is rolling!

How about your walgreens and toys r'us and walmart?

Reply to
RJ

This is a nice thought but you need to mentally prepare for it big time. I have spent many vacations over the years helping others in impoverished areas. Although many are happy to be getting help, some are extremely angry and are not exactly pleasant when you attempt to help them. In New Orleans there is alot of anger, rather than hearing Thank God you came to help us you are likely to hear what took you so long. You have to realize that people are very angry and scared and will say things they would have never said under different circumstances. You must also realize that you could be rushed and armed hoodlums could seize control of your truck and then demand payment from the very people you are trying to help. If they think you have drugs they may be willing to kill you to get access.

I think it is great that you are willing to go there and do whatever you can to help. I just want you to be careful and realize that there is danger and to take necessary precautions to minimize the risk.

Sorry to be such a pooper but I just want you to stay as safe as possible.

Reply to
Scout Lady

I've been in Columbia and Venezuela and alot of really bad areas... and I understand what I'm going into. I also understand that I have a few guns and my pastor is taking his shotgun. With ammo and God protecting us we will be okay. We are going to offload at churches that we already have relationships with in the areas hit hard. We know the people we will be working with, and they are preparing for us. I used to do outreaches to the homeless in NYC and have worked two other natural disasters. I am a good shot too and have taken self defense, not to mention there will be a number of us going down. We aren't coming announced either.. the only ones that know we are coming and when are the ones helping us, so all is well. I appreciate your concern tho. I do understand that these people are in alot of pain and panic, and I'm fully prepared to deal with them.

Reply to
RJ

I dont know if this will help or not, but my husband used to drive a truck YEARS ago, and he used to pick up and deliver diapers from a company called Kimberly Clark. They make tons of paper goods, and there are plants in the Southern part of the US. Maybe they could make a donation?

Reply to
Linda C

That's wonderful Ronni. I'm proud of you. You're a great person!!!!

Hugs!

Reply to
Shannon & John

Ronni, You Rock!! You be careful and safe and God Love YOU!!!

OKC Dave

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Reply to
OKC Dave

you know I drove for schneider and I remember a few of those plants... thanks for refreshing my memory! I'll put it on the list! thanks!!!

Reply to
RJ

This was just pointed out to me today. For anyone heading down to help with hurricane relief, it's not a bad idea to get a tetanus booster. Hint hint RJ! LOL Yes, you need to do what God's told you to do, but you gotta make sure you stay healthy in the meantime.

Reply to
Deb in AR

had one a few months ago and our whole staff is getting malaria pills and other stuff.. the health dept here is taking care of us.. :D thanks tho hon! :D

Reply to
RJ

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