Tornado Relief and Haiti Deployment Update
January 22nd, 2010
A few days ago we experienced a bit of excitement as tornadic activity peppered our area of Texas. We were thankful that Big Sandy and the International ALERT Academy did not get hit, even though the Doppler radar indicated one passing over us. Praise the Lord!
However, one did touch down about 30 miles west of us leaving its path of destruction upon hundreds of trees and some houses in the towns of Grand Saline and Sand Flat. The Texas 6th Bravo ALERT Cadet unit is located in that area and they answered the call from their County Commissioner to begin work there today. Fourteen of our ALERT men and officers joined them to begin clearing trees from yards and off roofs. I visited them in the field later this morning and was encouraged as I watched these young Cadet men and their fathers working side-by-side with the ALERT men. The homeowner at this particular location expressed his deepest gratitude for the diligent work of these men as he reflected on the hopelessness that he had before their arrival.
I drove through the area to assess the damage and realized they can use our help indefinitely. Please pray for this ALERT Cadet unit and our ALERT men as they work in a challenging and hazardous environment.
Haiti Response: The ALERT men arrived in Lake Charles Wednesday and have begun the work with Friend Ships Unlimited. Some men are preparing a ship for lodging later in Haiti, while others are working in the warehouse sorting food and supplies. The ship, “Integrity,” will complete the loading procedure and head for Haiti today.
Our ALERT men will continue getting supplies ready for the next shipment out of Lake Charles. The STEP ladies will replace them next week.
Friend Ships Unlimited continues to put in place the logistical plans for trips to Haiti and we are monitoring this daily. It is conceivable that requests for our direct assistance to Haiti could come as early as mid-February and we are making appropriate plans to be ready when that call comes. No final determination has been made as to which men will be tasked to go. Along with our current ALERT men, we will be contacting our reserves on an as needed basis for the trips.
I will keep you informed on the progress. For now, we will continue working from stateside as much as possible to help Friend Ships pack and load supplies.
You can find information about Friend Ships Unlimited at: www.friendships.org