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Volunteers have completed more than 125 projects through
Nehemiah’s Vision. |
Texas Baptists continue to help restore homes
destroyed by Hurricane Rita even as Southeast Texas residents make their
way through another hurricane
season.
In June and July volunteers from around the state lent a hand through
Nehemiah’s Vision, a non-profit organization facilitating disaster
recovery ministry in Southeast Texas.
“Nehemiah’s Vision has given
our entire Southeast Texas region a focal point to work in channeling
those resources,” said Charles Pierce, a member of Nehemiah’s Vision board
of directors. “It’s the coordination and focus for folks who want to
donate goods, services, building products or food. We work with a lot of
organizations and we are the focal point for relief coming in.”
Nehemiah’s Vision continues helping volunteers minister in areas
that are still recovering from Hurricane
Rita. | Nehemiah’s Vision was started by the Golden Triangle Baptist
Association with a vision to share the love of God in practical ways by
assisting in the recovery efforts in Texas and in future crises elsewhere.
The groups’ launch was assisted by Baptist General Convention of Texas
disaster response funds.
“It was born in the midst of a very acute thing that happened with
Katrina and Rita hitting the same summer and overwhelming our nation’s
ability to cope with disaster,” said Andy Narramore, executive director of
Nehemiah’s Vision. “Our Baptist people were able to give hope and respond
to those people who had no answers because it was such a big thing.”
Since Hurricane Rita hit, Nehemiah’s Vision has completed 125 jobs.
“Directly we have received 375 requests, with numerous others coming
indirectly, of names and information of people asking for our help,”
Narramore said.
“Our goal is to rebuild a hope in families that are hurting in
disasters and point to Jesus in that process,” Narramore said.
Volunteers from churches, associations and Baptist Student Ministries
continue to call Nehemiah’s Vision asking how they can help. The
association then finds the strengths of specific churches and sends them
where they will be needed most.
Nehemiah’s Vision, a non-profit organization started with the
help of BGCT disaster response funds, has brought volunteers from
across the state to help rebuild portions of Southeast
Texas. | A nursing home in Vidor recently has been donated to Nehemiah’s Vision
to use as housing for volunteers. Reconstruction of the nursing home will
begin next week, eventually allowing 175 volunteers to be housed there.
“God used hurricanes Katrina and Rita to accelerate and clarify both
the needs and a means to meet them,” Narramore said. “Nehemiah’s Vision
provides an avenue to go beyond relief into rebuilding and recovery.”
Volunteers are able to not only cleanup the damage, but to form
relationships with people who are “not only accepting the help but the
gospel.”
A feeding unit is being built to feed between 8,000 and 10,000 people
each day. It will be in a mobile home so it will be available for
volunteers, refugees and Texas Baptist Men in the area. Mobile shower,
laundry and sleeping units also are being built to be used by volunteers
and workers, allowing them to serve for longer periods of time.
TBM has helped Nehemiah’s Vision with the rebuilding. The group directs
volunteer crews and groups who want to help. In preparation for future
disasters, many of TBM volunteers are going through relief training,
learning to work with chainsaw and mud out crews.
The local Red Cross is asking Nehemiah’s Vision for volunteers to help
replace the blue roofs that were put on homes more than eight months ago.
The old tarps are tearing and shredding and will not stand up against
upcoming storms.
“We’re set to accommodate the parts of Rita, but also with the goal of
helping in the future,” Narramore said. “We are facilitating believers
from all over the nations a way to help others in the name of Jesus to
rebuild homes in the name of Jesus.”
To serve through Nehemiah’s Vision or for more information, call
(409) 769.1616, e-mail nehemiahsvision@sbcglobal.net
or visit www.nehemiahsvision.com.
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