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Return to Bayou La Batre, Alabama

On our last trip to volunteer in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, we realized they had a strong need for a good working pick-up truck. I told them if I came across one, I'd keep them in mind. Very soon after returning home, we received a donation of a 1987 Ford Ranger pick-up truck with a contractor cap and a ladder rack. So I asked my brother Paul to correct any mechanical problems with the vehicle and then we took a three day trip to deliver it to the Nazarene Compassion Ministries in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.

The trip was far from uneventful and we wondered if we were going to be able to deliver the truck after all. But no matter what problems Satan threw at us, we were able to do what we set out to accomplish.

We were met by the directors of the Alabama Disaster Relief Efforts with NCM (Nazarene Compassion Ministries), Tim and Danielle Whetstone and after sharing with them and members from a California team and a Illinois team that were presently volunteering there, Paul and I headed back home tired but feeling confident that we had followed God's leading and that the Ford Ranger donation was where God had meant for it to end up. It is an incredible feeling to know that you have been used by God for His purposes. We are looking forward to our next effort in outreach ministry. There are a few things we are presently working on and I will tell you more when they become solidified.

By Lt. Deborah La Valla

Once again, the American Rescue Workers partnered with the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Alabama to deploy its second team of disaster relief volunteers. Those Attending this trip included volunteers from various areas of the American Rescue Workers’ Corps: Major Byron E. Martin, Commanding Officer of Capitol Heights, MD Corps; James (Jim) Mullins, Friend Volunteer from MD area; Sergeant Tory D. Shaw, Grounds and Maintenance Manager of Capitol Heights, MD Corps; Thomas Warren, Assistant Men’s Manager of Capitol Heights, MD Corps; Richard (Dick) Weber, Pantry and Distribution Supervisor of Hollidaysburg, PA Corps; Jeffrey Twist, from Williamsport, PA Corps; John Seese, from Williamsport, PA Corps; Victor La Valla, Officer in Training for National/CT Corps; and Deborah La Valla, Officer in Training for National/CT Corps.

                                                                                                                            Under the new guise of the Dirty Hands Ministry, which falls under Capitol Heights, MD Corps’ Disaster Relief efforts, two separate American Rescue Workers’ teams have been able to assist in Bayou La Batre, Alabama this year.

 Tim and Danielle Whetstone, coordinators for Alabama South Hurricane Relief, along with Rev. Charles Martin of ALERT (Alabama Emergency Relief Team) organized the effort, while Major Byron E. Martin led the working team of volunteers. The effort is focused on getting Alabama residents, who are still residing in FEMA trailers back into their homes. The destruction of the previous hurricanes and storms left thousands of families in the Gulf Coast States homeless and in deplorable living conditions.

 Reverend Martin assisted families with getting grant money to repair their homes; however, the money was limited and did not provide adequate support to restore these areas. Reverend Martin has worked with numerous families to develop a better strategy for utilizing the funds, which resulted in buying bulk materials at a fraction of the individual costs and enlisting volunteers from all over the country to supply free labor to get the jobs done. A group comes in for a couple of weeks and completes as many tasks as possible; then another group shows up when the first one leaves and continues the work. Another group of 700 volunteers were succeeding us when we departed from the area.

 Our second team had the opportunity to work with two different families in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. One home required minor completions to finish it. Several doors were replaced and a kitchen counter and sink was installed. The kitchen plumbing was repaired and checked thoroughly.

The second home required much more work so the majority of time was spent there. We spackled walls, installed doors and lighting fixtures, and put in a new hot water heater. Ceramic tile was laid in two bathrooms. Plumbing for the bathrooms and kitchen was installed, and checked thoroughly. Carpet was laid in the living room and bedroom. A wooden Pergo floor was installed in the kitchen, wash room and dining area. The entire kitchen and appliances with the exception of a few hanging cabinets were installed. Molding and other finishing work was also completed.

The additional length of time needed to perform these tasks allowed this group to build a great relationship with the family. “It’s the first time I’ve had carpet in 17 years,” said Mrs. Grinnell, who with her husband has been confined to a small FEMA trailer since last  year. She was extremely excited with the work, and moved her mattress into the bedroom as soon as the carpet was laid. “I am sleeping here tonight,” Grinnell exclaimed, “The baby and I will roll all over this carpet tonight!” Her daughter and son-in-law along with their two-year-old and newborn are living in the adjacent shed where Grinnell previously did her sewing.

There are still many people in the Gulf States who are recovering from the mass destruction of the hurricanes from last year, and the needs are great. The American Rescue Workers will continue to send teams down to help when we can. We continue to solicit your prayers, volunteerism, financial contributions, supply donations and help with these efforts.