UPDATE VI: Volunteers being sought

Streetscape Ministries is now organizing volunteers for rebuilding on Galveston.  Please contact me by leaving a comment here with your email address (it will not be published on my blog because I will not approve the comment to go through) and I will get you in contact with Sam.

UPDATE V: From Galveston Island

We received this on Friday night.  You can contact us through the business number:

763-390-0894

Sept. 20, 2008

Good Morning the all the Saints and believers,

I just want to give a quick update as to what is going on in Galveston today.  Bro. Darren went to the street this morning, the “Hobo breakfast”, but he said there was not any one there.  I am thankful, maybe that means most of the homeless were able to get evacuated and at least have a temporary shelter over their heads.
Bro. Darren is hopeful that the local government will start allowing volunteers onto the island either this weekend or early next week.  He was able to pick up a few supplies that were dropped off for us by Bro. Phil Lindblade, but we are still in need.  Below you will find another copy of the needs list that was sent out earlier this week, but I cannot stress enough how much things like bleach, off, baby wipes, cleanup wipes, and money for fuel, is needed.  Bro. Darren told me this morning how badly the island stinks, and to make matters worse, it rained there last night and just got everything wet again.  He said the mud in the streets was like driving in gumbo.  One thing that is not on the list that would be very helpful are the respirator type masks that people use when painting or mowing.  They would be helpful for when the demolition begins on the houses so that the island can be rebuilt.
Speaking of rebuilding,  Bro. Darren shared with me this morning that he has been able to share Christ with several people he has been in contact with.  His words were that now we can rebuild this island to the Glory of God and show the people of Galveston God’s love and peace in this time of difficulty.  I believe this may just be the way that the Lord will help us to take this Island city for His Glory.

Here is the list of needs again.  Please remember that anything you do is for the Kingdom of God, and will be used on Galveston Island for God’s glory.

Bleach….lots and lots  of bleach  everything is flooded and will mildew in the humidity
bottle water….cases….the water lines have been turned off until tests can be run probably weeks from  now to determine if it is contaminated.

OFF or other mosquito repellent. The mosquito’s will be even worse due to the extreme flooding and humidity.

peroxide, band aids triple antibiotic cream, and other first aide type things. Tylenol
Ibuprofen   Benadryl &  alcohol ….everything will be contaminated and a potential infection

pop top foods     dry cereal     energy bars     crackers     Gatorade    MRE’s    Coffee, sugar,   creamer,   instant coffee,

mops     brooms     yard rakes     garden rakes        shovels     yard tools

large trash bags  garbage cans   plastic totes    waterless hand sanitizer     baby wipes (lots)     Clorox wipes

tools     chain saws hammers     saws     crow bars     GENERATORS   gas cans

money for gas wheelbarrows     coolers     batteries     flash lights

sleeping bags     blankets     pillows     cases of BIBLES

paper products   paper towels toilet paper laundry soap     paper cups    plates    bowls

We need these items in LARGE quantities we are anticipating this as a long term relief effort with lots of volunteers to feed, house, and help take care of their basic needs. We will be in the neighborhoods, streets, and wherever we are needed.

Also we are looking for a “mobile” kitchen.  If anyone has one or knows someone who has one please contact Sam or Darren ASAP.  We need this so that we can prepare AT LEAST one hot meal a day for the volunteers. We also hope to be able to take some hot meals into the streets.

UPDATE IV: They’re still hungry

This is very much like Katrina, but you aren’t being told that in the media.  They want you to think that FEMA is doing the best job and eveythng is honkey-dorey.  All media coverage on the Island has been blacked out.

FEMA has botched it once again, but this time they are making it difficult for independent organizations to do what they do best – help in a time of need and crisis!

We need your support!  We need gas for generators and food.  The people are starving and thirsty.

For just a moment, put yourself in their shoes.  This is what i had to do when I was in Bay St. Louis, being overwhelmed and almost numb to it all after having heard everything on the news.  I didn’t go down until Jan.  I had been told about everything from my husband since Sept and sent continual pictures.  But it wasn’t until I started looking at the devastation and thinking – ‘Wow, what would it be like if I lost everything?  How would I react if I didn’t have a single thing left except the clothes on my back?  How would my precious children handle this?  All their favorite toys and books gone, in one day.’

Ask yourself these questions.  Look at the pictures.  How would you like help?  There are many people reading this blog daily, I know you’re out there.  How can you help?  If you can’t help with supplies or finances, but still want to help in some way, contact me and we’ll fit you in.  There’s always something to be done.  You don’t have to be on site.  There are phone calls to be made, people to contact.

Do you have children?  Let them help.  Here’s what my children did post-Katrina.  They went door-to-door with a jar telling the residents of the neighborhood that they wanted to buy winter wear for the victims of Katrina, and then asking if they had any pocket change they would like to donate to help them to purchase the coats.  In 2 or 3 days they had over $100 in pocket change.  We need gas for generators and fuel to ship the items down there.  We need money for food and clothes and shoes.

We have an address for you to send the money order or checks to with them made out to Streetscape Ministries and we will get it there.  If there is a particular need that you want the money to go toward make a notation and that is what it will be used for.  If you want to purchase something and send it down we will get you the address.  vicky at haotinc dot com.

For local news to see what you’re not being told in Galveston see the Galveston County News Daily

UPDATE III: Liverpool, TX

Matt just got off the phone with the Mayor of Liverpool, Texas. A HUGE Thank you to Marianne Stebbins with the Campaign for Liberty for connecting us with the Ron Paul Congressional District Office in Victoria, Texas. And a HUGE Thank you to that office for connecting us with the Mayor.

Liverpool is about 30 miles out of Galveston. He has given us permission to use his city as a drop-off point for supplies when we start bringing them down. We need trucks to haul the supplies down. If anyone reading this knows anyone who would volunteer for this, please pass the word on.

The Mayor has said that Liverpool still has water and to send anyone there who needs water. People are hugry and need food and water. They don’t know where to go or how to get there. Pass the word on, please!

If you know how to get the word out , let me know.

UPDATE II: FEMA Dropped the Ball Again

We heard from Sam again.  Darren got  back to Galveston Island to the ministry house.  The house is standing but it suffered major damage.  The ministry personel that stayed behind is just fine.

Per the title: How did FEMA not get things right this time?  There are 3 PODS on the Island – only 1 has water.  There is no Ice.  There is a HUGE need for bug repellant.  There was one man who was brought to the hospital with around 1,000 mosquito bites.

Here is what we need ASAP – gas, generators, fridges, things to cook on,  washer & driers, water, ice, and bug repellant.

We are in the process of securing truckloads of donations.  We will need drivers to haul the goods, money for fuel for these transports, and the rigs them selves to haul them in.  If anyone reading this can help out in any way, please contact me.

We also have access to a few large barells and other drums to ship fuel in.  If you would like to donate some funds to go toward this contact me.  We are operating alongside A Blaze of Glory ( http://www.ablazeofglory.org ) who is tax exempt and a 501C3 org.  Contact me and I will let you know how to donate to them so it can be specified for disaster relief and what exactly for.

Please, let’s show the Government that we, the People, can take better care of ourselves than they can of us.  Your donations and prayers help.

If you are concerned that we won’t be able to get in, what with all the Roadblocks that the Government put up to org’s after Katrina, we will.  Our contact in Galveston is a First Responder qualified through FEMA.

Ike’s Wrath was Widespread

Over a hundred miles away, on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, the wrath of Ike was felt.

We don’t like Ike! By Dwayne Bremer Sep 13, 2008, 11:11

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For the second time in as many weeks, a powerful hurricane–which made landfall more than a hundred miles away–caused major flooding here in Hancock County and once again pulverized our beach-front.
Ike surprised many residents in Hancock County’s low-lying areas Thursday morning when they awoke to flooded streets and rising water. The storm continued to send storm-surge for another 36 hours.

The storm was 150 miles offshore and headed for Texas on Thursday, but it was strong enough to produce four-to-six-foot waves which began crashing onshore here and filling bayous and inlets.

Many residents in the Garden Isles, Shoreline Park, and Bayou Phillip communities went to sleep Wednesday thinking Ike was headed to Texas and nothing much would come from the storm.

When the awoke Thursday, it was readily apparent that Ike was making its mark on Hancock County. “It’s all in how the water is getting circulated in the Gulf,” Hancock County Emergency Management Director Brian Adam said Thursday. “Right now, all of the water is headed towards us.”

Unlike Hurricane Gustav last week, there were few if any evacuations in advance of Ike.
“I had no idea,” Fran LaFrance said. “I did not see anything about this on television. The water was about four feet deep and all the way up my driveway.”LaFrance, who lives off of Harbor Drive, said she was not able to leave her home so she was forced to call the fire department to come and get her. Waveland and Bayside firefighters were able to reach her house and get her to safety.

The Garden Isles community became “Garden Island” Thursday when water covered a majority of the community. The water was as deep as six feet in some areas, covering street signs and scattering debris from Gustav. “We knew it was going to flood a little today, but we had no idea it was going to be this bad,” Jana McKenzie said.  McKenzie was lucky enough to get away from her home before the water got too high.

Other residents who stayed became prisoners in their own homes, surrounded by dirty bayou water. “I love my wife and I like my dog, so I guess it’s not too bad,” resident Sam Moore said. Moore, who is the president of the Garden Isles Community Association, was one of the residents confined to his home. He said many residents were able to save their vehicles, but not all. “I was totally surprised,” Moore said. “My neighbor, who goes to work pretty early called me and said the water was coming in. We tried to notify as many neighbors as we could. A good number of them got their cars out because of word-of-mouth.”

On the beach in Waveland and Lakeshore, Ike’s water was an all-to-familiar site. Beach debris from Gustav was washed inland and in several places water had crossed the beach road.  Coleman Ave. was once again inundated with water which reached inland to the site of the old American Legion property.

Pearlington and Lakeshore were once again flooded in many areas. In Pearlington, water over-topped both bridges leading into the community from Hwy. 90. Lakeshore Rd. was covered with flood water and closed the road. The closure forced the Silver Slipper Casino to close Thursday and Friday. Silver Slipper Chief Operating Officer John Ferrucci said Friday there was no damage to the casino and it will reopen as soon as the road becomes open for traffic. At press time Friday, Bob Davidge of the Hollywood Casino said his casino was still open.

The Bay St. Louis bridge was also closed for most of the morning and afternoon Friday and schools were dismissed from class early on Friday. First responders worked all day Thursday and Friday and more than 50 residents were rescued from their homes, officials said. Bay St. Louis Fire Chief Fred Butts said Bay pulled about 30 residents to safety in the two days.

First-responders used the Bay St. Louis police boat, the Hancock County air-boat, as well as vessels from volunteers, Butts said.  In the unincorporated areas of the county, the air-boat once again proved to be a valuable tool. EMA Deputy Director John Albert Evans said it was deployed atleast eight times Friday.

The impact of the storm may once again bring up talks of a federal buy-out plan which caused quite a stir last year. The plan was introduced by the Corps of Engineers and included buying much of the low-lying area in the county. One of the goals of the buyout was to reduce the risk of repetitive losses for the residents who live in flood-prone areas. McKenzie said it is something the people need to consider. “What happened to the buyout plan?” she asked. “I bought my home in 2002. This is the third time it has flooded.”

© Copyright 2007 Bay St. Louis Newspapers, Inc.

UPDATE on Ike Aftermath Relief

Just incase any of you are questioning whether or not we will be able to get these supplies into “Ground Zero” -

Our contact down there has First Responder status through FEMA.    He also runs a ministry ON Galveston Island that has a house there on stilts.  One of the workers with the ministry stayed behind, but they have not been able to be in contact with him just yet.  So we’re still waiting on word as to the status of the ministry house.

We do have phone numbers and shipping information as to where to send things.  If you are from out of our area (Minnesota), and want to send something, message me and I’ll send the address. victoriarosehgp at yahoo dot com.  Otherwise we are gathering items here and will send it in one large shipment.

Galveston – How YOU Can Help Post-Ike

We have been asked to help with mobilizing some relief help via supplies and finances through a friend and contact in Texas we made when we worked on the Coast after Katrina. Please, message me until I get the contact infomation posted, as to how where you can send any of the following. Here is what we were sent as the need. They are moving into Galveston ASAP. This guy, Darren, was in Bay St. Louis first thing after the Hurricane and helped down there for a long while.

We need contacts via distributors, grocery stores, wholesale contacts, etc.  It is much easier to get supplies to someone already there then trying to get in on your own.
Sept. 12, 2008

I am enclosing a list of the needs and requests of things Darren and the volunteers will need immediately for them to enter into Galveston for the hurricane relief.

Bleach….lots and lots of bleach everything is flooded and will mildew in the humidity
bottle water….cases….the water lines have been turned off until tests can be run probably weeks from now to determine if it is contaminated.

OFF or other mosquito repellent. The mosquito’s will be even worse due to the extreme flooding and humidity.

peroxide, band aids triple antibiotic cream, and other first aide type things. Tylenol
Ibuprofen Benadryl alcohol ….everything will be contaminated and a potential infection

pop top foods dry cereal energy bars crackers Gatorade MRE’s

Coffee, sugar, creamer, instant coffee,

mops brooms yard rakes garden rakes shovels yard tools

large trash bags garbage cans plastic totes waterless hand sanitizer baby wipes (lots) Clorox wipes

tools chain saws hammers saws crow bars GENERATORS gas cans

money for gas for generators wheelbarrows coolers batteries flash lights

sleeping bags blankets pillows cases of BIBLES

paper products paper towels toilet paper laundry soap paper cups plates bowls

We need these items in LARGE quantities we are anticipating this as a long term relief effort with lots of volunteers to feed, house, and help take care of their basic needs. We will be in the neighborhoods, streets, and wherever we are needed.

Also we are looking for a “mobile” kitchen. If anyone has one or knows someone who has one please contact Sam or Darren ASAP. We need this so that we can prepare AT LEAST one hot meal a day for the volunteers. We also hope to be able to take some hot meals into the streets.

Anyone that is willing and able to volunteer will need at least a tetanus shot/booster. There may be other immunizations needed that I am unaware of at the moment. When we find this out the information will be passed along.

Also, as always we need prayer and for you to prayerfully consider any financial support you can give. We will be needing to buy gas and oil for chainsaws, gas for generators, dry ice for foods and such like.

God Bless and keep you,

Sam
Streetscape Ministries representative

P.S. Please forward this to anyone you may know that is interested in our type of ministry.

God Bless

Aftermath of Gustav – Mississippi

From a close family friend who is still living in Slidell, Louisianna doing ministry.

Just an FYI:  Hundreds of nutria washed up on the shores of the Gulf Coast.  Our friends in ministry in Waveland, MS have pictures on their website http://www.pathfindermission.org/Gustav.html if you are interested.  Nutria are giant rats that everyone from outside of this area thinks are just a joke but come to find out they are real when they see them in the streets of New Orleans!  Yuck!