I have lived through a flood before. I had just graduated from Drake University. It was the summer of 1993. I was still looking for a job. Any job. My job search was delayed by rain. The rains were relentless for days across Iowa. The waterlogged rivers began to overflow. The downtown area was flooded by the Des Moines River. The Raccoon River took out the Water Works treatment facility. We didn’t have running water for a week and drinking water for a month. Floods are tough.
Water is the best. Swimming, drinking, boating, cleaning, cooking, baptizing…it’s all good stuff. Too much water is the worst. Unfortunately, thousands of Nebraskans and Iowans are experiencing too much water right now. This time it is the Elkhorn, Platte, and Missouri Rivers stamping out their authority on the Great Plains leaving a path of destruction and broken dreams.
The human spirit has proven to be more powerful than any river. Volunteers and donors have demonstrated that when some of us are hurting then all of us are hurting. What the waters have destroyed, people will rebuild.
It is still too early to do too much. Many are still waiting for the flood waters to recede so they can get to their house or get in their house. Most everybody else is waiting for their insurance person to come and assess the damage.
So while the victims wait…WE are preparing. Here is our plan:
Work Teams for Clean-Up and Mud Muck Outs
WE are taking registrations for teams who will go in and begin the clean-up process. Individuals, families, and Life Groups are encouraged to participate together. WE anticipate most of these will be one-day events and will happen on Saturdays, but some will occur during the week as well. We are also forming teams that will be working on three to five day projects this summer. Email rick@weomaha.com if you are interested in serving.
Gift Cards to Help Flood Victims
Gift cards can be donated at the front desk during business hours and on Sunday mornings. Some suggestions are: Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, HyVee, Bakers, Target, and Walmart. The Water’s Edge will distribute these directly to families we assist who are affected by flooding.
Financial Gifts
WE have a Flood Relief Fund to directly assist those affected by the floods. You can give online on at www.weomaha.com on our Giving Page by using the key word “Flood”. You can also drop-off financial gifts during worship or during the week. If you are writing a check, use the word “Flood” in the memo section. 100% of your donations will go directly to flood victims.
Pray
Pray for the flood victims. And, pray for the first responders and volunteers who are serving so faithfully. Pray that people experience God’s presence during this season of recovery.
