“Overwhelming” – the gripping headline on the front page of the newspaper in Henagar, Alabama.  That simple word sums up the mood of the sweet people of the south.  As we traveled to serve and help, we became overwhelmed as our eyes looked upon the devastation, as our ears listened to stories of heartbreak, as our shoulders were cried upon by sweet widows and our lips said countless prayers of healing.  Overwhelmed, but God was not overshadowed, if anything His presence outshone the rubble, the lifeless landscape, and tears of sorrow.

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds,

and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:14-16

Our team arrived at a mother (age: 80) and sons’ (ago: 60) property, who live right beside one another, both widowed.  Ms. Marie lost her husband 36 years ago, and William lost his wife only 2 years ago to cancer.  Before we began, we noticed immediately that William had tried very hard to do some of the work on his property himself, yet became overwhelmed with the enormity of the task.  So, he was very grateful that we were helping hands.  He even brought a cooler filled with drinks out to us and opened up his home for restrooms, which we were thankful for.

Three big trees had been blown down by the storm: one on the house, one on the fence and the other on a car.  Our team cut, chopped and placed the limbs and branches into brush piles by the tractor and by hand.  With several days of work behind us, our bodies were more tired and stiff, but we all pushed through despite aches and pains.

Because Ms. Marie had to be a work, we presented Bibles to her and her son, and prayed before the job was completed.  She was so gracious and thankful as tears streamed down her face.  She even said, “In 36 years since my husband died, no one has ever helped me.” We felt so grateful to be helping this sweet widow.

Then worked continued…

We worked until mid-afternoon, and once we finally completed the job, we again, prayed with William in a circle holding hands.  This is where the Lord worked in a mighty way.  He began crying and barely choked out that he had been watching us, working and helping people we didn’t even know.  William said that when we presented the Bible to him earlier in the day, it dawned on him….he did not even own a Bible.  He was saved at the age of 14, but since had been lead astray.  He felt the Lord slowly breaking him down over the past few years, and he was ready for a change.  William also said that he had not attended church in a very long time, because had been not living right. But, “you people” (as he said) had given him inspiration, and he was thinking about going on Sunday! It was a very beautiful moment as we spoke of what the Lord had done in our own lives and why we feel lead to serve others.  As we all held hands and prayed together, the Holy Spirit was there, and no one had a dry eye in sight.

Yes, we were blessed.  So very blessed.

Pray for William and his sweet mother, Marie.
Five of the 14 team members traveled home last night, everyone made it safely.
Pray for the remaining 9 team members, for strength, for safety and for the Lord to open more doors to share His beautiful name.

We were blessed yesterday to help an elderly widow and her family, removing massive uprooted trees and limbs from their house and yard.  At the beginning of the morning, you could hardly see her house trailer, and by the end of the afternoon, her yard looked almost back to normal.

Our team worked well together, some operating chainsaws, driving tractors, chopping wood, while others piled tree limbs and branches, raked leaves and stacked firewood for this sweet lady.  Also, the women on the team were able to spend time loving on her and her family during the day, talking and listening to stories of that tragic morning. Before we left, we prayed with her and her family, and also presented Bibles that were signed by each team member.  Her tears showed her appreciation and gratitude.

We also completed another very quick job before we ended our day, by removing another tree at a local families house.

The community of Henagar, is on the outskirts of the severe devastation.  However, yesterday we were able to travel 9 miles to the town of Rainsville where the F4 tornado hit directly.  We stopped by at church that lost 2 members and met a brother in Christ, Lee, that was working in the parking lot.  Sadly, he lost 3 family members.  There were also 19 people killed in the Huddle House (restaurant like a Waffle House).  We hugged him and prayed with him before we left.  This community is grieving.

Today we begin another set of jobs ministering to families who have lost so much. Pray for safety and open doors to share the gospel.

Please pray for safety as some of our team members are driving back to Bowling Green tonight.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6

Our team of 16 arrived safely (despite the rain) in Henegar, Alabama.

Our eyes have seen the devastation and our ears have heard the stories of those affected by the deadly tornadoes. Within a 20 miles radius of this small community of about 300 people….47 are dead.

Trees have uprooted, including the earth around it. Roofs have been collapsed with trees, and debris. Trailers have been wrapped around trees,and Families have been displaced…life is no longer normal.

The most heart wrenching story was the death of three siblings who were swept up and away by the tornado, and their bodies were found an hour away in Chattanooga.

Today we have three jobs to complete, beginning with work at a widows’ home who has been without electricity since last week, and has a tree laying on her house. She cried immediately when we walked in to let her know help was on the way. She was so very thankful.

Pray for the local pastors as they minister to their congregations and shepherd those in need. Praise the Lord for a man who accepted Christ in a hospital bed while his wife was being buried. Pray for crews tomorrow as we meet physicals need and interact with families who are hurting emotionally. Praise God for all the miracles of close calls and near misses during the storm, as there are many stories of those. And lastly, pray for safety of our team as we begin His work.

Reported by Brittany Richey

Please be in prayer today for Family Night Worship.  It is an exciting time for young families to come and worship together and experience some great, age appropriate, Bible Teaching.  Tonight the focus will be on how Joshua conquered the promise land by God’s power.  Under Joshua’s rule the Lord brought rest to the land.  We will be looking at how not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45).

There will also be a time for a prayer focus on the Songhai people group of Africa.  Pray that we can glorify God in worship and all there can learn of how God fulfills his promises.

A team of 14 people will depart today for Alabama to minister through disaster relief.  This team will be doing chainsaw work around the city of Dutton.  Please be praying for safety in travel and as they work to help this area recover from the tornado.

The North American Mission Board (NAMB) is our national missions agency for the Southern Baptist Convention.  Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is a ministry that falls under their leadership.  Each state convention has a disaster relief leader that coordinates all the various disaster relief units in their state.  In Bowling Green, we have a mudout/chainsaw unit.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has feeding units, shower units, and chainsaw units on the ground in Alabama.  Our feeding units make 90% of the Red Cross meals.  Our denomination will be very busy this next month.  If you are interested in supporting this ministry, click here.

Pray that “G” accepts the Lord as his savior. – B

Pray that “B” can find a full-time job. – C

Praise the Lord, “J” has successful cancer treatment.

Pray for Ben, Andrea, Chris, Jim, Taysha, and James

Pray for a woman whose husband was caught in infidelity. – B

Pray for a members health. – D

“T” and “W”, children of a member are taking finals soon. – T

Children, “S” has a new job and “A” is expecting, praise the Lord. – L

Pray for “P” for healing from a surgery many months ago. – S

Pray that God works in a powerful way through all his churches in the world today.

Other Requests:

Pray for this young person’s grandmother. – M

Pray for physical recovery after a surgery for a man’s spouse. – J

Pray for peace as a person’s parents provides care for a parent. – R

Pray for strength and healing as “P” just found out she has cancer. – M

Pray for “D” as she goes through cancer treatment. – W

Pray for a job for “J”. – D

Pray for “N” as she is mourning the loss of a mother. – S

“L” has accepted a ministry job…pray for the Lord to be in this situation. -S

Friend of a child has cancer. – R

“K” having knee surgery, pray for success and healing. – L

That “L’s” eyes will be healed. -D

Grandchild to accept Christ. – J

Pray for Pastor Jason today as he goes over his Sunday message.  Pray for protection from Satan’s distractions and for discernment to preach what God puts on his heart.

Other prayers:

Pray for “T” for physical, mental, and spiritual strength in this difficult time of life. – R

Pray for spouse to reconnect with Christ. – T

Spiritual guidance for this person’s father. – D

Pray for “L” that she finds her way to believing in Jesus. – K

Pray for “L” as she has many tests coming up to graduate college. – K

Pray for work opportunities for a husband. – S

Pray for this couple as they expand their business. – F

Pray for “W” swift recovery from knee surgery. – C

Praise for “M”, this person is one treatment away from being cancer free. – C