2009 Ice Storm

Where should I start? About 12 days ago the commonwealth of Kentucky was hit with a terrible ice storm. It was by far the worst thing I have ever seen. I could go on and on about the sounds of cracking timber, the tree that struck our house, the cold temperatures, long lines for food, people suffering. But there is one thing that I gained from this experience that I needed more than anything. This disaster has renewed my faith in people. I witnessed strangers giving their food to families without. I saw people cutting wood for the elderly to burn in stoves. I saw people driving great distances to buy generators, gas, and kerosene. I saw farmers using their equipment to clear roads. I saw people helping others clean up debris.

Last Tuesday night the Church of Christ Disaster Response team sent 15 generators to us to loan to those in the community without power. Mark and Laura Cremeams really came through and helped a lot of people. They also contacted Bro. Harvey and Earl Kennedy from south of Huntsville to come and cut trees for folks. Mark Rogers gets some credit for connecting us with them. On Thursday, Walter Steely from the Glendale Rd. congregation in Murray helped contact us with the Church of Christ Disaster Relief from Nashville. They sent a semi load of food and supplies totaling about $80,000 (10,000 boxes). This was a surprise and in about 2 hours we set up our small building for distribution. The local Emergency organization from town sent some National Guard troops to help us unload the truck along with the Boy Scouts. From 3p.m. to 10p.m. we distributed the whole truck load of supplies and food. Not only was this the greatest outreach our congregation has ever done, but the disaster relief truck might also have been the largest vehicle to ever make its way down the small corridor of Elm Street (the whole town gathered to watch that).

One last thing of amazement was the massive number and efficiency of the utility crews that arrived from all over the country to help. If only the government worked so efficiently. That is another point. FEMA is worthless. Private citizens, churches, and individuals can do more than the government. They have tried to get their hands into our work effort several times. If they do the food will end up in a warehouse instead of someone who needs it. Anyways, here are a few pics. I may post more later.