The recovery work in Pacific Junction began last week after the flood waters finally receded from the town. Teams from Illinois, Colorado and New Mexico have begun work. The work is slow because each home is taking several days to complete. The work is expected to continue through May so if you have even a day or 2 that you can volunteer to help, please let us know! Housing is set up at Vine Street Church, (formerly First Baptist) in Glenwood, which is only 3 miles from Pacific Junction.
Volunteers from Colorado and Illinois are currently working on this home. The homeowner shared with us that his family had only a 15-minute warning to evacuate after the levee broke. His wife is confined to a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis and they have 4 children ages 9-15. They are currently living in another location in their motor home. They purchased this home in 2012 after their previous home was completely destroyed due to a fire.
The Iowa recovery trailer is in Glenwood so it can be used by a team flying in from California. We desperately need Iowa volunteers who can be the team leaders (Blue Hats) for our trailer in a disaster. If you feel led to be trained to do this, please let us know. You have a great opportunity to be mentored by working with one of the experienced blue hats with teams here from other states and we can provide the rest of the official training needed later.
Please pray about how you may be able to serve as a volunteer in Pacific Junction and let us know dates you would be available. Please continue to pray for all those affected by the flooding in western Iowa and Nebraska. They are still going through an extremely difficult time in their lives!
Mike and Shari Carlson
Iowa Disaster Relief Directors
IowaDR@BCIowa.org
