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| Joyfully Serving God's People Everywhere |
On September 14th, Dave Kulisz and I set out for the 8 hour journey to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The drive was all freeway and went very smoothly. At the Westminster Presbyterian Church,
we connected with the other three members of our team, Joan Ott, Jim Graves and Rick
Carroll. The bond was immediate. All three of them are veterans of other adult mission work.
The drive was all freeway and went very smoothly. At the Westminster Presbyterian Church,
we connected with the other three members of our team, Joan Ott, Jim Graves and Rick
Carroll. The bond was immediate. All three of them are veterans of other adult mission work.
 |
Sep. 14-18, 2009
Iowa Flood Relief Mission Journal
Iowa Flood Relief Mission Journal
Once we visited the Flood Recovery
Center, we learned about the Flood. On
Friday 13, June 2008, the Cedar River rose
some 45 above flood stage levels. It would
eventually cover about 1/3 of the city of
127,000. 1,834 homes were flood affected.
Unfortunately only 666 of these homes had
flood insurance. While many homes can be
repaired, many will have to be demolished.
The slow road back to full recovery involves
many insurance agencies, government
organizations and volunteer efforts. The
recovery plan will take an estimated
Center, we learned about the Flood. On
Friday 13, June 2008, the Cedar River rose
some 45 above flood stage levels. It would
eventually cover about 1/3 of the city of
127,000. 1,834 homes were flood affected.
Unfortunately only 666 of these homes had
flood insurance. While many homes can be
repaired, many will have to be demolished.
The slow road back to full recovery involves
many insurance agencies, government
organizations and volunteer efforts. The
recovery plan will take an estimated
ten years and $3 billion to complete. A year and three months later, they have $543 million
approved. About 793 homes are in the process of being repaired.
Our first project was to work on the bottom three apartments of a six unit building. While the
top three units were not damaged structurally, the utilities were. The new practice requires
three layers of drywall mud. Our job was to sand and mud as we worked on all three layers in
each of the three apartments of “affordable housing.”
approved. About 793 homes are in the process of being repaired.
Our first project was to work on the bottom three apartments of a six unit building. While the
top three units were not damaged structurally, the utilities were. The new practice requires
three layers of drywall mud. Our job was to sand and mud as we worked on all three layers in
each of the three apartments of “affordable housing.”
One afternoon, we traveled to a
single home to also do
mudding/drywall work. The
homeowners, Lloyd and Annette,
were on the porch to greet and talk
with us. It seems that Lloyd’s actual
home (down the street) was totally
flood damaged and demolished. So,
he bought this house that could be
repaired.
The third day, Joan, Rick and I would
work for Vista Coordinator, Rhoda, to
single home to also do
mudding/drywall work. The
homeowners, Lloyd and Annette,
were on the porch to greet and talk
with us. It seems that Lloyd’s actual
home (down the street) was totally
flood damaged and demolished. So,
he bought this house that could be
repaired.
The third day, Joan, Rick and I would
work for Vista Coordinator, Rhoda, to
demolish a flood damaged kitchen. This owner of this home was a 90 year-old woman. We
worked with her daughter, Jan. Dave and Jim returned to the apartments to continue
mudding work. All of us were impressed with our young AmeriCorps work coordinators. Their
skill level and knowledge of the process was very helpful.
Our host church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, was very accommodating. We were
offered several classrooms located in the Sunday School Village for sleep accommodations
and had full use of the kitchen.
Westminster provided inflatable air mattresses. We also had access to new shower facilities
and were given clean towels and wash clothes every day. Our host, Loren, estimated that
Westminster has hosted some 630 volunteers who had performed over 20,000 hours of
volunteer work.
Our host church provided a pot luck dinner on Thursday for the Detroit team and a new team
who had just arrived. Lunch was provided by First Presbyterian Church, located about five
blocks away. Our entertainment was a stroll through town for some of us and a couple of
healthy runs for the rest of us.
We learned that the Recovery Center is paid $16.75 by FEMA for each volunteer hour that is
worked and carefully logged those hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary
worked with her daughter, Jan. Dave and Jim returned to the apartments to continue
mudding work. All of us were impressed with our young AmeriCorps work coordinators. Their
skill level and knowledge of the process was very helpful.
Our host church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, was very accommodating. We were
offered several classrooms located in the Sunday School Village for sleep accommodations
and had full use of the kitchen.
Westminster provided inflatable air mattresses. We also had access to new shower facilities
and were given clean towels and wash clothes every day. Our host, Loren, estimated that
Westminster has hosted some 630 volunteers who had performed over 20,000 hours of
volunteer work.
Our host church provided a pot luck dinner on Thursday for the Detroit team and a new team
who had just arrived. Lunch was provided by First Presbyterian Church, located about five
blocks away. Our entertainment was a stroll through town for some of us and a couple of
healthy runs for the rest of us.
We learned that the Recovery Center is paid $16.75 by FEMA for each volunteer hour that is
worked and carefully logged those hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary