A day to give Thanks

I had made up my mind a while ago to spend today giving, then giving thanks. I worked a 5 hour shift at the Salvation Army Red Badge Lodge, which is a homeless shelter in North Houston. We served about 8,000 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. There are over 500 volunteers from cooks, to waiters/waitresses, clean up, etc. Many families, kids included, volunteered. The "cooks" were Chef's from Houston area restaurants. We also had a player from the NFLs Houston Texans with us (Andre Davis - WR; from Schenectady). I was able to talk to him for a while about "back home". He's the one in the green shirt and white hat. The other guy is Col. Bill of the Salvation Army. He's a trip, and a blessing.











They have seating for about 500 at a time in the auditorium, and the cafeteria area was open as the workers were moving back and forth with the food. What a well organized event.

I got there early, so they asked me to oversee the pie table. Well, you know me, I couldn't just hand out pie. I sang, and asked every person that came for pie to sing for it. (If they didn't want to, they still got pie). It was a blast and the dessert area became a karaoke bar of sorts. One guy blew us away with his voice. He sang a Lou Rawls song (You'll never find...another love like mine...) so well that the place stopped and listened, then broke into applause. When my shift was over, it was hard to leave, but I left the stage in the very capable hands of Kelly.

Oh, and they fed me. The workers had an area to eat. After spending the short amount of time there serving, those of us eating felt like family (complete with spilled drinks).

The enormity of what we are doing here hit me the other day. We are giving the applicant more to be thankful for.

Make every day Thanksgiving.

Easy is done

We had a meeting last Friday and the FEMA lead made the statement that the easy cases are over. The applicants that have been coming to us are the ones with complex issues. Boy was he right.

I'll blog later today, when I get back to my hotel. We're down to 10 or so HUD people this week, and under 5 next week. There are still 25 DRCs open, so I'll be running around a lot.

Tim

Hitting the stride

We have seen our numbers in the DRC slow, but the number of person that see me is climbing. It's getting close to crunch time for them, as their FEMA rental assistance is running out, and they still don't have a place to stay until their homes are repaired. Our Disaster housing program works well to get them in a home, but not to help pay for the repairs. The insurance companies are not coming through...surprise! I have been helping applicants find alternative means to get it done.

I went to the Hitchcock TX fire co meeting last night. Not much different than ours.

Also, since I will be here on Thanksgiving, I didn't want to just hang out. I have been accepted to help at the Houston Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner. It should be fun and rewarding.

Please continue to pray for my family, there have been some troubles. My amazing wife is getting through it, but if you can offer help, please do. She is going to Kansas for Thanksgiving with the kids, so pray for that trip as well.

Off to work. I'll try to be more consistent here.

New place, pretty cold

I went to a new DRC today (19-B). It's in a highway building and the temperature here is 40 degrees and windy. AAHHH, feels like home. It was pretty slow, but I had the chance to explain our process to the FEMA workers there. It appears they were abandoned by their HUD person. It can't imagine. New Place, new people, same desire to serve. I love this.

Enlightenment

As I was reading this morning, the Lord showed me a verse that puts the confrontation with the DC person this week in place for me. It's been bothering me, but this passage tells me His attitude.

Eccl 7: 21-22 (NIV)
²¹ Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you-

²² for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.

In other words, be a little thick skinned and let it go. As well as asking forgiveness for the times that I have talked bad about others.

Ouch and Amen. Off to work.

"Go to guy" and beginning with fun.

I ask you all to pray that I live up to this new title. Tomorrow, I'll start my day in Bayou Vista and then go to LaPorte. I was asked for by the DRC director there and our HUD people in Austin agreed. It seems Jim, our Director, talked to his cohorts. He coined me the Go To Guy. Wow.

We started our day with the stress counselor, Kari. She's our resident stress/grief counselor. She's not only there for applicants, but for us as well. Today...she had a plan. We gathered and went around the room telling how we have been dealing with the stresses of the long days and work. I pray, read and sleep...oh yeah and joke around. We all talked, laughed and shared. Frank, the FEMA lead said the camaraderie we have in DRC #21 (Bayou Vista) is similar to what he felt in Nam, but without the fear of death. I am soooo glad about that. So, back to the plan. We all took numbers and the winner was Ilda. She got to whip cream pie Jim..smack in the kisser. It was a riot.

We were pretty busy today, and as you would expect, I'm the kid magnet. If I'm not busy with an applicant, any children in the DRC are directed to me, which I appreciate. It gives me a chance to use my (very) old jokes and tricks on a new audience. It also serves to give me a kid fix, but it also reminds me how much I miss my group of young'uns back home.

I have a good amount of driving tomorrow, so it's off to the sack. Keep praying as this mission/ adventure starts a new chapter.

Distractions and Changes

Our DRC had a HUD visitor yesterday from DC. this person was very pompous and insulting. I was told that "they're going to bring in contractors. Because they're more suited to this work than we (HUD employees) are". (A lot more was said too, but you get the point). I thought I kept it together, but the FEMA workers saw through me. I didn't say a thing, just got up and walked away. Thank God for my contacts at the Joint Field office (JFO) and the FEMA workers in our DRC. My scope was dialed in and they talked me off the roof....no shots fired. From what I gather, this person helped to create the process we use to get people into housing. It's kind of sad that they care only that the process works and has lost sight of the people. It could put in jeopardy much of the good work we have done in the communities. These people don't care for the people, just that the process works. Please pray.

On our weekly conference call, I volunteered to help cover other DRCs that have no HUD staff. I regret leaving my home base, but I strongly feel that I should go where the need is the greatest. I should get my orders tomorrow and I'll keep you posted. Also, I'm changing hotels on Sunday. I'm moving out of the city and closer to where the DRCs are. I won't miss the traffic.

Bed calling. Love you all.

All systems go!

After nearly three weeks, the process is coming full circle. FEMA does intake and sends to HUD. I find houses. I helped about 40 people find a spot to wait until their home is repaired, or to live permanently. Wow, what a great feeling. Our DRC is a great team. I've been able to help out FEMA, and they help me out. It's a blast.

To keep it all in perspective, Colin sent me a message that puts everything I have been experiencing together. It's in Romans 12 (The Message):

^{6 -8}If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

^{9 -10}Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

^{11 -13}Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

^{14 -16}Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

^{17 -19}Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

^{20 -21}Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

God knew, he told Paul. He told us.

Good night.

Computer problems and extension of time

The past few work days have been really slow(ish). Today, my HUD supervisor stopped by and told us that the computer between FEMA and HUD has been down since Thursday night. Well...it's fixed and goes on-line tonight. 12,000 people will be getting calls sending them to the DRCs tomorrow. Circle the wagons boys, there's indians coming.

In the slow time, I've been able to able to get the applicants that came in personal service. I have met some great christian people and have invitations to attend at least 3 different churches. I also have to say, now that I have been here 3 weeks, that I have not had a single person that gave me a difficult time. Some are angry, and frustrated, but in the end they know it's the process and accept it.

The next part is very important for all of you that read this blog.

My time here has been extended until December 21, with no trip home for Thanksgiving. My wonderful family gets it, and HUD really needs us to stay. Please pray for us as we get through this time.

I'm asking all of you that can to offer any help you can to Colin while I'm away. Pray for her and if you can, help her out. I'de appreciate it.

Nuff for now. Busy day tomorrow. Love and miss you all.

Slow Day...until

Today was really slow until about 2:00 and then the floodgates opened. The list of available homes on Galveston are gone. The lists for Texas City, League City, Alvin, etc. used to be 15 -20 pages and are now down to 2-4. Many of the applicants are beginning (?) to get worried that they will have to move off the island and (OMG) commute to work. I can understand those with kids. It will be hard changing schools and all, but the biggest complaints I hear are from singles.

Anyway, it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and we finished strong today.

I've come to a big conclusion...less coffee=early bed. I'm down to 2 cups a day and by now I just want to collapse. Gotta eat though. Tonight...Chicken Pie. One of our locals brought it in for us and it smells yummie.

'til tomorrow.

New President, same stuff

Today the lines kept coming and we kept working. I started work at 6:15 and just got back. Too tired to write much. Need food and sleep.

Night.

It's coming to an end

The election, not the disaster relief. I received notice today that I will be going home On Nov 26, and back here on Dec 1 until Christmas. "They like me...they really like me" (I'm not sure where that quote is from). Just had a 1/2 hour phone talk with my baby and she understands. The only way i can describe my feelings is that this must be how missionary's feel. The need is so great and you work so hard, but the need keeps coming. It's a tug of war between helping those who need it and the utter scope to the disaster.

We are continuing our battle with the state guy that I talked about yesterday and I think it's going to come to head tomorrow. He unilaterally pulled some of the state agencies out of our DRC. It's not because they aren't needed. Who knows. Pray that the petty crap will stop.

Well, more and more polls re closing and by this time tomorrow we will have a new "leader of the free world" elect. Let's just hope our world stays free.

The weather is changing here tomorrow and we're looking at more 80 -85 degree days and humid. Good weather for cranky people. I'll fit right in.

Blessings.

Back to work day

Had Sunday off and stayed around Houston. I talked to the family using the web cam for about an hour and that was great. It's hard being away.

We always get to the DRC early (because people are waiting) and stay late (until everyone is gone). We don't have to, but Jim, the DRC director, asked that we do this to provide the service that people need. He repays us with donuts.

So, today I got stuck in a huge traffic jam. I decided to get off I45 and go through a McDonald's drive thru. Went through and got back onto I45 RIGHT BEHIND THE SAME CAR! No joke. My commute (that usually takes about an hour), took almost 2. As if that wasn't bad enough, when I get there (still 10 minutes before the DRC opens), this "new" guy from the state of Texas tells me I'm late, and wants me to sign some form. I took a breath and asked him who he was. He said he was the state manager and I need to sign the form. He said he is there to make sure we all are working when we're supposed to. He also said I have to tell him when I'm on break and need to sign out when I leave the general area of the DRC (we're upstairs in the government building). At this point I looked for Jim and told him about this. (This guy also went to the other federal agencies and told them the same thing). Fortunately, Jim is from Montana, and is not easily flustered. He checked with FEMA and asked us to check with our agencies about who this guy is and if he has any jurisdiction over the work we do. Long story short. No. This guy has no jurisdiction and from what I hears got a call from the Governors office to let the federal people alone. I don't suspect he'll stay around long. I'm glad I didn't lose my cool and "go union" on this guy. Lord knows I wanted to. But who knows what the IRS people will do. :-)

I tell this story to illustrate the chaos that sometimes exists regarding this whole operation. FEMA and feds take the blame from everyone, but can't do it's job because the state and localities won't do theirs. Political infighting slows the process. In the end, it all works out, but you get my drift.

Referred at least 20 families today. My connections with the faith based organizations (normally called churches) is very good. They are womderful at helping connect people with places. Pray for us though. We got word today that the available housing has moved at least 20 miles from Galveston (they're all full). There are still thousands on the Island that need assistance and who knows where we will have to send them. We also learned that approx 160 thousand persons (most from the area I'm in) have asked for help. Huge task...are we up to it? We'll see.

Don't forget to VOTE.

2 days...Many issues

The past couple of days have been busy, and the info is slow to get out to the applicants. They are frustrated. They take it out on us. We have big shoulders and can handle it, but it's frustrating for us to that the process hasn't flowed like it should. We are doing a lot of good though and by and large, the applicants are very thankful for whatever we can help them with.

The 12 hour days are not unexpected and I have hit my rhythm. Get up at 5:00, go to work, come back to the hotel, sleep, start over. Tomorrow is Sunday and I have the day off. I'm not sure if I'll just chill around Houston.Galveston, or join a bunch of the workers on a road trip to the Texas Motor speedway for the NASCAR race.

Right now, it seems the whole state is inside watching the Texas/Texas Tech football game. Football is king down here. One of the applicants told me that they start their boys at age 3 in organized football. Full pads by age 5.


Well, my dinner is ready and I hope I can finish before I fall asleep.