Be-building Ahead! A Call For Skilled Teams

With the majority of the tear-outs completed it's time to shift gears. It's time to re-build. As we spend the next week moving the remaining equipment, tools and other items from the Kenner, LA Camp here to the Houston Camp the excitement of beginning of re-building the homes in Galveston is all around us. We have a list of people who Susan will need to visit while evaluating the validity of need. As blunt as that sounds it is important that we continue to help those who are in the greatest of need yet have some funds to purchase materials. It would be an incredible blessing if we as an organization were in position to supply it all but where we stand now is to supply the labor through volunteers.

This call for skilled volunteers doesn't mean that we can't use the unskilled. The perfect team of volunteers at this point is a mix of both. Their are many teachable steps to rebuilding a home. Believe me I was one of the unskilled. It didn't take long for me to realize that when there is a need...learn how to fill it! According to Texas laws electrical and plumbing work needs to be licensed within the state. That doesn't mean we wouldn't welcome a willing worker. Almost anyone can insulate a home, hanging drywall can be taught, finishing drywall happens to be what I knew very little about but I have been able to teach many teams how it is done. Most anyone can also be shown how to paint on the primer and color. Then comes the need for skilled. Trimming out a home, hanging doors and installing cabinets is definitely an art. Assistance is again a great thing.

With over 60,000 homes in need of repair volunteers will surely be kept busy. Susan is attending a meeting today that will give us a better picture of all the organizations who have come to the area to help. We know that UMCOR, Salvation Army, Americor, Lutheran Aid and Help4Galveston are active along with Mercy Response. It will be helpful to see who else there are in the area.

As the new year approaches and you are planning your vacations, please open your hearts to include a week of serving. It would be great if you formed a team of like minded willing workers to head south and lend a hand.

Contact www.mercyresponse.com