HUGS, SWEAT & TEARS

When Hurricane Ian devastated communities around Florida, First Pres-ers jumped into action – locally and around the state! Through prayers, Relentless Generosity, hugs, sweat and tears, our First Pres Family has been Living Missionally to rebuild lives, homes and communities. 

After learning of the tremendous damage in Southwest Florida, Covenant Partner, Allen Peacock, quickly gathered two work crews of friends and First Pres-ers, asked for donations of tarps, propane, water and non-perishables, connected with our EPC family in Fort Myers, and made plans to serve those hardest hit by the storm. With supplies too numerous for Allen’s trailer, the men packed each of their vehicles to the brim and caravanned to ground zero.

Upon arrival, our friends at New Hope (EPC) deployed one First Pres crew to a home – among their sphere of 70 destroyed properties – with the greatest damage. The home belonged to the neighbors of New Hope Member, Cindy. Cindy’s neighbors were stuck in Minneapolis and fighting COVID. Their home was decimated by six feet of water and a flooded septic system. Mud and toxic sewage covered every surface. The stench was only rivaled by the refrigerator after nine days of stewing without power. Crew member and Covenant Partner, Ken Kozielski, described the scene as “the inside of a washing machine – every piece of furniture and every appliance was in the wrong room and upside down.”

~ Ken, Andrew, Brody, Allen, Matt, Isaiah ~

Our missional men waded through muck while shoveling the mess and hauling contents of the home – including drywall and flooring – to the curb. A phone call to the homeowners carefully revealed the wrenching realities of the damage, and was met with tears of appreciation for our team’s sacrificial hard work and kindness.

By day’s end, both First Pres teams had gutted the Fort Myers homes and headed back to New Hope. To their delight, New Hope installed showers during the day so our men could clean up before their long and late trek home. Our crews returned home after midnight and are planning a second trip very soon!

Please pray for our First Pres-ers who have been affected by the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian. Pray for our First Pres-ers who are bringing relief and hope to those in need of assistance. Pray for God to sustain our friends at New Hope as they continue to triage aid and love their city. Pray for the family in Minneapolis and Cindy who are wading through their new realities – displaced, weary and saddened. Pray for restoration. Pray that God uses you to deliver new hope in these dark days.

Want to help?

First Pres-er, Walt Beaver, is organizing a group to bring relief to Southwest Florida at the end of October. Get in touch to see how you can serve.

Ed Harber is the Facilities Director in charge of New Hope’s relief efforts. Contact Ed directly to learn how you can help.

CLICK HERE for more about New Hope’s disaster relief.