Storms of 2008 Update, June 1, 2009

Greetings from the Dir. of Recovery! Thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone who has volunteered, cooked, hosted teams, donated and prayed for the recovery in Eastern Iowa. We are approaching the year anniversary of the flood and just marked the anniversary of the tornado. We simply cannot recover without all the help! So, just a "feel good" story this week:

Betty, I want to thank you again for the excellent referral. Once again "God has been the God of just in time with just enough". In between we have had to trust Him while we wait. That is so hard but I'm learning.

The contractor from the United Methodist recovery crew was at my home yesterday and they will complete everything necessary to have the house pass inspection, including tuck pointing the basement, building the ramp, doing the lead paint remediation, basement windows, etc. WOW!

JumpStart will not release the final $5,000 in funding until the house passes final inspection. I need that money to pay for the last of the contractor bills for plumbing and electrical. It is such a relief to know that they will be able to do everything that's left to do. They will be there tomorrow to start. I can't believe it! I don't have a final date to move in, but I am willing to wait now that I know everything will be completed.

My daughter Maureen plans to have a party on June 13, on the anniversary of the flood to show people her house. I hope to have the furniture all in on the main level of my house by then, so they can tour my house as well. I simply could not have gotten this all done without the money they gave me and without the volunteer help. I pray that God will bless each and every one of the people who have helped. I hope everyone can come see the beauty that has come out of the ashes of this house. Thanks, Marilee

ANNUAL CONFERENCE: on Friday at 3:30 we will be doing a presentation on storm recovery. Please wear your red "Hope for the Heatland" t-shirts.

The interns are here. We celebrate the arrival of the Flood Recovery Interns. This week they work on their area of interest: PR, administrative, hospitality and materials. Next week they begin ushering teams. Then the week of June 7th we have 250 volunteers to assist. Please pray for their continued safety, health and energy this summer.

Teams and work. Thank you to all who have been sending us work ideas. We have been assessing an average of six new sites a day. The official update:

3 teams were called and are volunteering in Indiana or Dakotas.

2 teams were called and will find another site on their own

4 teams will help with Hazelton and we are still contacting teams

25 teams in June will come to Cedar Rapids

52 teams are scheduled to be with us in July

32 teams are scheduled in August.

GREAT NEWS! Over the past two weeks, Curt - our project manager has been visiting around 6 homes/nonprofit a day. He assured me today that we have enough work for June and July. Praise JESUS! We will not be sending any teams already registered away!!!

That's all for this email - see you at Annual Conference!