How Do You Spell Relief?

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10)

Two teenagers told me that today's sermon was the shortest I've ever preached. That was by design. We met in the gym (FAC for the initiated) this morning because we have had no A/C for most of the week. Our plan was to have a quick but meaningful worship service. We planned to go 45 minutes with an option to shorted it to 30 if the heat became unbearable. Instead, when we arrived this morning the A/C power had been restored. It was still warm because we didn't have sufficient time to cool the building.

How good it was to be together again! How wonderful it was to be able to recount the many good deeds this church has done in the past week. I didn't mention any names (except one brief reference to David Layman) because I knew I would not be able to remember everyone who pitched in and helped.

If you were not there the sermon will hopefully be posted to our web page on Monday. Incidentally, if you didn't hear the sermon, God spells relief C-H-U-R-C-H.

Update on Relief Efforts

Yesterday a semi truck from the Church of Christ Disaster Relief organization was unloaded into our church gym. Today we took many of the supplies to Bay Place Apartments. We set up a distribution center and gave people much needed supplies of food, water, and cleaning supplies. Bay Place is still without electricity and the people were very appreciative. Several of the residents helped us in unloading and carrying the supplies to people's apartments. Since many are still evacuated we filled a store room at the apartments with boxes for people to receive as they return. We have worked with the Bay Place Apartments for several years in a variety or ministry capacities.

This afternoon we divided into teams and are working to help clear people's yards (and rooftops!) of trees and branches. Travel around the area is terrible with most of the traffic lights still not working and many people trying to get from one place to another. I took a generator to an elderly lady who is still without power. She has a serious heart condition and never evacuated. Finally, she has a 'fridge and a fan. Thankfully, it has been unseasonable cool (meaning less hot) with highs in the low 80's.

Our church building's roof has been repaired and we will be holding some form of a worship service this coming Sunday at 10:30. I say, "some form" because we do not know if we will have electricity and even if we do, we don't know if we will have enough power to run the A/C. There will be no Sunday School.

We are still accepting financial contributions which you may send to the address on the post below. All money collected will go directly to help with the relief effort. We currently do not need supplies or workers. When our situation is more stable we will then be able to use groups that would like to come and work.

Thank you for your interest and especially your prayers.

Ike Relief

The following is a letter that has been sent to churches who might be interested in helping our relief effort. The picture is of some of the damage our church building sustained.

September 15, 2008

Dear brothers and sisters,

I am the preaching minister for the Clear Lake Church of Christ located in the southeastern part of Houston, Texas. Many of you have asked about ways that you can help us after the damage caused by Hurricane Ike. Many of our church members, including myself, were under mandatory evacuation and have yet to return to our homes. However, those who are there are currently encouraging us to stay away until the situation has stabilized. There are long lines at the gas stations and limited gasoline available. People are waiting for hours at grocery stores where there are limited supplies.

Thankfully, our church building has power, however, it did sustain some roof damage and water damage. Most of the homes in our area have no electricity; water pressure is not yet fully restored, and some areas are experiencing sewer problems. We are currently calling all members of our church to determine their needs. We already know of some members who sustained damage to their homes. Most, however, will not know the condition of their homes until they return to the area.

We are in the process of expanding our pantry to help people with non-perishable items. Our resources are limited and in order to help the greatest number of people we are asking for financial donations. Our priorities will be: 1) help our members in need (especially our members with low incomes who are unable to work due to the hurricane); 2) repair our building; and 3) help others. Some of you may remember that we gained considerable experience in this kind of relief work helping evacuees from Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. We will have a complete financial accounting available after the crisis so that those of you who can help us might know the good works your contributions helped to provide.

Until more of the infrastructure is restored we are not encouraging anyone to travel to the area to provide assistance. In the near future however, it will be helpful for people to come bringing non-perishable pantry items, chainsaws, and workers. Financial contributions can be made to:

Clear Lake Church of Christ
c/o David Layman
938 El Dorado
Houston, TX 77062

Thank you for your concern and support.

Byron Fike
281-797-6459 (cell)

A hard day's night

Well after definitely deciding not to leave on Wednesday evening we awoke Thursday to a mandatory evacuation of our zip code. We packed a few things and took off for Abilene to stay with our son Ben for what we thought would be only a day or two. We arrived at 10pm and are still uncertain when we will return. Preliminary reports are that our house was not damaged. However, we heard the same report about our church building and by looking on the web site I see that there is roof damage and the water has damaged part of the sanctuary. I will probably return when I hear that power has been restored to my house.

Yesterday was my b'day and so we invited our fellow Clear Lake evacuees over for cake and ice cream. They were joined by others we have known through the years who are here in Abilene. It was great to get away from the news reports from Houston and laugh for awhile.

Today I preached for Ben at the Mary Neal Church of Christ and went to church with Elizabeth tonight at Hope Church here in Abilene. What a blessing it is to be able to share those worship services with our children.

I'm getting scattered reports about various church members. So far serious damage appears to have affected only a few and for that we are thankful and yet concerned about the few. I am sure that when we return there will be plenty of work for all of us to do.