Monday, October 31, 2005
A Picture tells a Thousand Words
So today I am not going to say much other than I want to say God is so good. He is providing so much for these people down here. What I hear all day long is the gratitude for what we are doing, a positive attitude and that needs are slowly being met.
As I prayed with Kim today she asked me to pray that her needs to be contined to be met and that her wants will become a bonus. Her husband is in Kuwait and he wants her to pack up and go there. Sh is scared and wants prayers around her decisions. When I talk to her about how impressed I was at how positive they all seem she said to me honey its after you all go away for the night that it hits us. Everynight I get into my bath, turn the music on and cry for hours. She said many of her friends do the same thing. They do what they have to do by light but when the night hits that is when they get to reflexed and thats when it hits and many share tears then.
Another lady again asked me to pray for her needs to be met and that she will be able to get her photos restored.
Many asked for hugs and a listening ear. The destruction is more than you can ever imagine so look at these pictures I am sharing and imagine what it must be like the person attached to that house, car, boat, property.
Please look at each one of these links.
1) Day 1 to 4: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.5cp9hldb&Uy=-gqx4nr&Ux=1
2) Day 4: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.b6q8i30v&Uy=kc9710&Ux=1
3) Day 5: will be posted tomorrow
Good night all
Alexis
As I prayed with Kim today she asked me to pray that her needs to be contined to be met and that her wants will become a bonus. Her husband is in Kuwait and he wants her to pack up and go there. Sh is scared and wants prayers around her decisions. When I talk to her about how impressed I was at how positive they all seem she said to me honey its after you all go away for the night that it hits us. Everynight I get into my bath, turn the music on and cry for hours. She said many of her friends do the same thing. They do what they have to do by light but when the night hits that is when they get to reflexed and thats when it hits and many share tears then.
Another lady again asked me to pray for her needs to be met and that she will be able to get her photos restored.
Many asked for hugs and a listening ear. The destruction is more than you can ever imagine so look at these pictures I am sharing and imagine what it must be like the person attached to that house, car, boat, property.
Please look at each one of these links.
1) Day 1 to 4: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.5cp9hldb&Uy=-gqx4nr&Ux=1
2) Day 4: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.b6q8i30v&Uy=kc9710&Ux=1
3) Day 5: will be posted tomorrow
Good night all
Alexis
Day 4 --- Frenchy Cantina
Well folks like I said before the lady who drives my Canteen is from Montreal named our canteen the Frenchy Cantina.
Today we had a very full canteen, with stocks for our location. I made a wish list from the day before of reqquest from the people at our locaation. So once we arrived at our location I became very busy sorting and labelling boxes for the families who was coming today to pick up there request. All showed up but gentleman.
There were two young women who came to the canteen on Saturday who where the first to our location today. They are so grateful for all we do that they offered to help us today. This was a God send cause we were very busy after church. Although our numbers were down from the day before it just seemed that everyone showed up at the same time.
Today seemed like it was an emotional day for the people visiting today. Not many would open up and share but for those who did well their stories were very interestng.
The two youg girls I mentioned earlier lost everything and on top of that someone showed up at their campsite and stole all their stuff. Angela asked up to pray for her health and better shelter till they can get a job and make enough money to move into some type of shelter.
Another couple talk to me about being on disability and the cut backs and lack of help by the government down here. The things that they are most concerned about is their medications and medical supplies they need to replace since the storm. Ed & Rose would like prayers for these needs to be met.
Ok today we need to be downstairs a little earlier so I will finish this up later on http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=afjsqzuf.5cp9hldb&x=1&y=-gqx4nr
Today we had a very full canteen, with stocks for our location. I made a wish list from the day before of reqquest from the people at our locaation. So once we arrived at our location I became very busy sorting and labelling boxes for the families who was coming today to pick up there request. All showed up but gentleman.
There were two young women who came to the canteen on Saturday who where the first to our location today. They are so grateful for all we do that they offered to help us today. This was a God send cause we were very busy after church. Although our numbers were down from the day before it just seemed that everyone showed up at the same time.
Today seemed like it was an emotional day for the people visiting today. Not many would open up and share but for those who did well their stories were very interestng.
The two youg girls I mentioned earlier lost everything and on top of that someone showed up at their campsite and stole all their stuff. Angela asked up to pray for her health and better shelter till they can get a job and make enough money to move into some type of shelter.
Another couple talk to me about being on disability and the cut backs and lack of help by the government down here. The things that they are most concerned about is their medications and medical supplies they need to replace since the storm. Ed & Rose would like prayers for these needs to be met.
Ok today we need to be downstairs a little earlier so I will finish this up later on http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=afjsqzuf.5cp9hldb&x=1&y=-gqx4nr
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Day 4----Operation Biloxi
Today I am a little sun burn so I am going to turn in early but for most of you I just sent you a link to go and see a photo album of my pictures thus far. Will write in the morning.
Day 3 Bad Boys Bad Boys...What ya going to do?
Today I was teamed up with a canteen and sent out into the field. Now the lady that was driving our touch was a member of our team from Montreal so she named our canteen "The Frenchy Cantina". She is really a fun lady with an excellent sense of humour.
So we loaded up our truck and head out for the day. First order of business was to get gassed up, then to head over to our location. Once we were over at our location we needed to set up for the day.
As soon as we pulled into our location people start coming. Today we served 375 meals, I personally handed out around 100 Bibles and another pamphlet we have to give out. I prayer with several people, gave out lots of hugs, took a list of request for things to try to bring out tomorrow.
I think I saw and spoke to around 500 or so people. The sense that I received from most people is they are so grateful we are here; they are so positive and just are moving ahead to make the best out of a bad situation. I gave out lots of hugs and was able to counsel those who just needed a listening ear. It was a very fulfilling day.
Their was one young man who is going to break a lot of hearts when he gets older but he was so over joyed by the friendly smiles, the hugs and so forth, that he started to cry. He turned to his mommy and said mom that lady is nicer than my teacher, can she teach me. I just stood their laughing with his mom. This family you could tell were having a very hard time come and asking for help. He turned to his mother as they were getting snacks and so forth and said she told me to take more than one, but I feel like I must not be greedy and save things for others. It was the end of the day and we were trying to get rid of what we had so I said you are not greedy if you take what I give you and share with your brother and friends. He said Thank you mame, gave me a big hug and began to cry.
Towards the end of our day there was some action in our parking lot, it was like watching an episode of Bad Boys. It was real cool to watch. The ending of this episode was no one was arrested.
We packed up the truck and headed back towards headquarters. Maria took us site seeing and told us some of the stories as we went along. Lots of pictures were taken. On all homes there is an X but on them. In the top part of the X is the date the house was inspected, in the left side of the X is which team inspected the house, in the bottom part of the X is number of deaths, and in the right part of the X is the number of dead animals. If you see DOA it means dead on arrival.
It was heart wrenching but at the same time it helps to show you the truth of what you see on TV. The thing I saw that got me most was a house where the telephone pole split it in half and a wheel chair lying there. I hope to get the pictures up here or somewhere later today.
After a full day on the canteens the pastoral team was asked to do a second job for the day and that was to go to Yankee stadium and help out at the Halloween party we had for the children. It was really fun to see all the children. My two favourite costumes was the little baby dressed as I dream of Genie and a little boy as Thomas the train.
We handed out toys, books, school bags and it was really special to see them all tricker and treating. The city of Biloxi had the Scooby doo movie for them to watch playing out in the field. Hotdogs and Pepsi for all. It was a very rewarding.
Ok I really need to go now if I want to be showered and ready for work today.
So we loaded up our truck and head out for the day. First order of business was to get gassed up, then to head over to our location. Once we were over at our location we needed to set up for the day.
As soon as we pulled into our location people start coming. Today we served 375 meals, I personally handed out around 100 Bibles and another pamphlet we have to give out. I prayer with several people, gave out lots of hugs, took a list of request for things to try to bring out tomorrow.
I think I saw and spoke to around 500 or so people. The sense that I received from most people is they are so grateful we are here; they are so positive and just are moving ahead to make the best out of a bad situation. I gave out lots of hugs and was able to counsel those who just needed a listening ear. It was a very fulfilling day.
Their was one young man who is going to break a lot of hearts when he gets older but he was so over joyed by the friendly smiles, the hugs and so forth, that he started to cry. He turned to his mommy and said mom that lady is nicer than my teacher, can she teach me. I just stood their laughing with his mom. This family you could tell were having a very hard time come and asking for help. He turned to his mother as they were getting snacks and so forth and said she told me to take more than one, but I feel like I must not be greedy and save things for others. It was the end of the day and we were trying to get rid of what we had so I said you are not greedy if you take what I give you and share with your brother and friends. He said Thank you mame, gave me a big hug and began to cry.
Towards the end of our day there was some action in our parking lot, it was like watching an episode of Bad Boys. It was real cool to watch. The ending of this episode was no one was arrested.
We packed up the truck and headed back towards headquarters. Maria took us site seeing and told us some of the stories as we went along. Lots of pictures were taken. On all homes there is an X but on them. In the top part of the X is the date the house was inspected, in the left side of the X is which team inspected the house, in the bottom part of the X is number of deaths, and in the right part of the X is the number of dead animals. If you see DOA it means dead on arrival.
It was heart wrenching but at the same time it helps to show you the truth of what you see on TV. The thing I saw that got me most was a house where the telephone pole split it in half and a wheel chair lying there. I hope to get the pictures up here or somewhere later today.
After a full day on the canteens the pastoral team was asked to do a second job for the day and that was to go to Yankee stadium and help out at the Halloween party we had for the children. It was really fun to see all the children. My two favourite costumes was the little baby dressed as I dream of Genie and a little boy as Thomas the train.
We handed out toys, books, school bags and it was really special to see them all tricker and treating. The city of Biloxi had the Scooby doo movie for them to watch playing out in the field. Hotdogs and Pepsi for all. It was a very rewarding.
Ok I really need to go now if I want to be showered and ready for work today.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Day 2 @ Command Central
Today I worked at command central. Well this would be like coming to any Salvation Army social service department and applying for assistance. The doors open at 8:00am close at 12-noon reopen at 1pm and closes at 5pm.
It is very organized here. People all come in one by one, take a number, and take a seat. My job was to gather each group up for there appointment times. We schedule around 100 per hour. So you can see we were see a lot of people.
I would ask each person if they had a Femma number and a ticket. I would then give them an application form; send them to the seats to fill out the application form. I would then call ten numbers up at a time to send them to a person would register them for their appointment. They would then be directed to another area to wait for their number to be called where they would see a case manager who would determine their needs and issue what we could for them.
Afterwards I was to put a Bible and a pamphlet back on each seat with a pen to start all over again for the next hour segment.
After each person has seen a caseworker they may come back to see me for supplies for their children. We had books, toys, bibles, baby formula, food, diapers bottles and clothing. I would also talk to the people, see how they are doing, pray with them if needed and just basically supply pastoral care if needed.
I did a lot of listening, I prayed with one person and I handed out a lot of children things. It was a great day.
So far we have had many stories. I hear a story today of a man who made it through all this and happy to still be alive after all he is only 100 years old to celebrate is 101 year birthday this April. God Bless him.
I heard of a lady today who gave birth to a woman during the storm. All is well and doing fantastic.
Everywhere you went people were always sharing their gratitude we are here. They were just pleased to see us.
I heard of a man who was passed out by alcohol and rode out the storm in his boat and when he woke up he was shocked to see what he saw. He apparently was glad to have been passed out cause he said if he had been sober there was a good chance he would have panicked and would have drowned.
The command centre was at Biloxi Yankee Stadium and this property was deemed to use the money from the McDonalds heritance to build a treatment facility just before Katrina hit.
There was a medical clinic set up here, Femma tent, Southern Baptist tent that are responsible for doing all our cooking for us. At another end were tents where people are living for now.
We all had a long but fulfilling exhausting day. We were rewarded by a fabulous buffet at the Imperial Casino. It was fabulous food.
Well it is time now to kick back rub some rub some A535 on our bones to release what ailed us. Good nights sleep for another full day tomorrow.
But first some interesting stats for you to read
Decision for Christ: 122
Pastoral Care: 53,371
Total meals Thursday: 3,188
Total snacks: 7,196
Total meals to date: 585,790
Daily Average Meals: 10451
Total Persons Served: 958,613
Day # 56
Each morning we do devotionals and today as Major Byron lead them he asked us to pray for and he prayed with us for Strength, courage, wisdom, endurance and compassion. To also keep the following triangle in mind as you pray, spiritual, physical, and emotional. Please do that for us if you are reading this blog.
God Bless the people here, the many other organization here, and us to serve the Lords people. God Bless the people of Gulf Port, Biloxi, and all the areas affected by Katrina.
Till tomorrow, good night.
It is very organized here. People all come in one by one, take a number, and take a seat. My job was to gather each group up for there appointment times. We schedule around 100 per hour. So you can see we were see a lot of people.
I would ask each person if they had a Femma number and a ticket. I would then give them an application form; send them to the seats to fill out the application form. I would then call ten numbers up at a time to send them to a person would register them for their appointment. They would then be directed to another area to wait for their number to be called where they would see a case manager who would determine their needs and issue what we could for them.
Afterwards I was to put a Bible and a pamphlet back on each seat with a pen to start all over again for the next hour segment.
After each person has seen a caseworker they may come back to see me for supplies for their children. We had books, toys, bibles, baby formula, food, diapers bottles and clothing. I would also talk to the people, see how they are doing, pray with them if needed and just basically supply pastoral care if needed.
I did a lot of listening, I prayed with one person and I handed out a lot of children things. It was a great day.
So far we have had many stories. I hear a story today of a man who made it through all this and happy to still be alive after all he is only 100 years old to celebrate is 101 year birthday this April. God Bless him.
I heard of a lady today who gave birth to a woman during the storm. All is well and doing fantastic.
Everywhere you went people were always sharing their gratitude we are here. They were just pleased to see us.
I heard of a man who was passed out by alcohol and rode out the storm in his boat and when he woke up he was shocked to see what he saw. He apparently was glad to have been passed out cause he said if he had been sober there was a good chance he would have panicked and would have drowned.
The command centre was at Biloxi Yankee Stadium and this property was deemed to use the money from the McDonalds heritance to build a treatment facility just before Katrina hit.
There was a medical clinic set up here, Femma tent, Southern Baptist tent that are responsible for doing all our cooking for us. At another end were tents where people are living for now.
We all had a long but fulfilling exhausting day. We were rewarded by a fabulous buffet at the Imperial Casino. It was fabulous food.
Well it is time now to kick back rub some rub some A535 on our bones to release what ailed us. Good nights sleep for another full day tomorrow.
But first some interesting stats for you to read
Decision for Christ: 122
Pastoral Care: 53,371
Total meals Thursday: 3,188
Total snacks: 7,196
Total meals to date: 585,790
Daily Average Meals: 10451
Total Persons Served: 958,613
Day # 56
Each morning we do devotionals and today as Major Byron lead them he asked us to pray for and he prayed with us for Strength, courage, wisdom, endurance and compassion. To also keep the following triangle in mind as you pray, spiritual, physical, and emotional. Please do that for us if you are reading this blog.
God Bless the people here, the many other organization here, and us to serve the Lords people. God Bless the people of Gulf Port, Biloxi, and all the areas affected by Katrina.
Till tomorrow, good night.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Arrival to Biloxi--Day 1
Well you can stop pinching me cause we are here. We arrived in Biloxi at 3:30 today and we were met by Salvation Army personnel, who took us of quickly to headquarters. As we were flying over the area we could see what we though were blue roofs but as we got closer we realized it was blue tarps on the roofs of houses.
The young man who was responsible to get us to headquarters told us that around 30% of the houses for Gulfport & Biloxi were lost and of the remainders 70% were badly damaged.
We figured the drive was around 35 minutes from the airport to the headquarters. While we were driving along the highway, which would be comparable to the 401, we saw debris along the roadside. We saw fridges, stoves, and TV’s couches, transport trucks ripped in half and so forth. We saw all kinds of garbage and uprooted trees all over. More than you can ever image it to be. So try to image 35 minutes driving down the 401 and seeing that down both sides as far as you can see in all four directions.
Now as we enter the town area of Biloxi driving down the streets you see houses ripped in half, obstructing the road, plants flattened and debris all over the place. We saw tents pitched on properties where we are told people are waiting for Fema to deliver them the trailer homes.
We are coming nearer and nearer the head quarters. I had no idea what I was expecting but I saw canteen after canteen after canteen. We lined up to get checked in. We recieved our assignments, our t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats & our idea. Now for most of we are long into our 12th or more hour today and very little to eat. We then were rushed off to our hotel. All checked in we ordered some pizza for our team. We ate together and now all head off to our rooms to settle down for a good nights snooze in order to be prepared for 1st day in the field.
We are to be downstairs ready to go by 7:15 and we will then return to headquarters for devotionals, breakfast and then out into the field. We have an idea what we will be doing but more on this tomorrow.
Good Night & God Bless
LoveAlexis
The young man who was responsible to get us to headquarters told us that around 30% of the houses for Gulfport & Biloxi were lost and of the remainders 70% were badly damaged.
We figured the drive was around 35 minutes from the airport to the headquarters. While we were driving along the highway, which would be comparable to the 401, we saw debris along the roadside. We saw fridges, stoves, and TV’s couches, transport trucks ripped in half and so forth. We saw all kinds of garbage and uprooted trees all over. More than you can ever image it to be. So try to image 35 minutes driving down the 401 and seeing that down both sides as far as you can see in all four directions.
Now as we enter the town area of Biloxi driving down the streets you see houses ripped in half, obstructing the road, plants flattened and debris all over the place. We saw tents pitched on properties where we are told people are waiting for Fema to deliver them the trailer homes.
We are coming nearer and nearer the head quarters. I had no idea what I was expecting but I saw canteen after canteen after canteen. We lined up to get checked in. We recieved our assignments, our t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats & our idea. Now for most of we are long into our 12th or more hour today and very little to eat. We then were rushed off to our hotel. All checked in we ordered some pizza for our team. We ate together and now all head off to our rooms to settle down for a good nights snooze in order to be prepared for 1st day in the field.
We are to be downstairs ready to go by 7:15 and we will then return to headquarters for devotionals, breakfast and then out into the field. We have an idea what we will be doing but more on this tomorrow.
Good Night & God Bless
LoveAlexis
Day 1 of 14 in Rotation #8
Well is it is 12:04 am and my ride arrives here at 4:45 to take me to Hamilton. I should be in bed rest or trying to get some shut eye but I am so afraid I will sleep through my alarm.
Most of today will be spent in traveling. Like I said I go to Hamilton then I am off to St. Catherines to meet the rest of the team and then off to Buffalo to catch our 9:40 flight. We fly to Detroit, then to Memphis, and then Gulfport Texas. It is not bad enough we land 3 times but we have to change planes at each landing. Oh well all part of the adventure.
We should be landing in Gulfport/Biloxi around 4:00 pm. At this point we have been told we can leave our sleeping bags at home that they have made other sleeping arrangements but I have no idea what this will be until we get there.
I am so full of all kinds of emotions and feelings of the next two weeks that I can hardly wait for Glen to pick me to take me to Hamilton.
Fear is I think a common feeling when it comes to the unknown, but I think also from that can bring excitement of getting there and jumping in to do what is needed of me. I feel like someone should pinch me because I can hardly believe I am finally getting to do something I have always dreamed about doing. I have such compassion to help others in need, especially those in tragic situations.
One of my weakest spot is children, my heart breaks when I seem them in tragic situations, I just want to take them in my arms, give them great big hugs, and assure them they are not alone. Let them know God loves them and will see them though. So it is my prayer I will have this opportunity while I am there.
Our God is so awesome & I know he will Bless all of us on the rotation abundantly as we go to Biloxi to help in what ever way we can. We have been asked to take lots of pictures when we can, and to keep a log of stories to share when we come home by many of our friends, & family. I will try my best to do that for those who may be interest.
God Bless and will talk to all as soon as I can.
Most of today will be spent in traveling. Like I said I go to Hamilton then I am off to St. Catherines to meet the rest of the team and then off to Buffalo to catch our 9:40 flight. We fly to Detroit, then to Memphis, and then Gulfport Texas. It is not bad enough we land 3 times but we have to change planes at each landing. Oh well all part of the adventure.
We should be landing in Gulfport/Biloxi around 4:00 pm. At this point we have been told we can leave our sleeping bags at home that they have made other sleeping arrangements but I have no idea what this will be until we get there.
I am so full of all kinds of emotions and feelings of the next two weeks that I can hardly wait for Glen to pick me to take me to Hamilton.
Fear is I think a common feeling when it comes to the unknown, but I think also from that can bring excitement of getting there and jumping in to do what is needed of me. I feel like someone should pinch me because I can hardly believe I am finally getting to do something I have always dreamed about doing. I have such compassion to help others in need, especially those in tragic situations.
One of my weakest spot is children, my heart breaks when I seem them in tragic situations, I just want to take them in my arms, give them great big hugs, and assure them they are not alone. Let them know God loves them and will see them though. So it is my prayer I will have this opportunity while I am there.
Our God is so awesome & I know he will Bless all of us on the rotation abundantly as we go to Biloxi to help in what ever way we can. We have been asked to take lots of pictures when we can, and to keep a log of stories to share when we come home by many of our friends, & family. I will try my best to do that for those who may be interest.
God Bless and will talk to all as soon as I can.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Rotation #8 going to Biloxi
Major Gordon Armstrong--St. Catherines
Nicole Thwaites-----St. Catherines
Major Byron Jacobs----Hamilton
Larry Ritchie--------St. Catherines
Tamara Henry------St. Catherines
Maria Menger-------Candiac Quebec
Shirley & Jim Sauve----Thorold
Major Lillian Spence----Grimsby
Alexis Bennett------Cambridge
So here are the names on Rotation #8. I thought maybe if people had names you could pray for the individuals by name instead of team members.
It looks like we all will meet in Buffalo and fly out together. This will help me immensely as I was already worried about flying by myself from Toronto.
Ok as I know more details I will keep on posting.
Alexis
Nicole Thwaites-----St. Catherines
Major Byron Jacobs----Hamilton
Larry Ritchie--------St. Catherines
Tamara Henry------St. Catherines
Maria Menger-------Candiac Quebec
Shirley & Jim Sauve----Thorold
Major Lillian Spence----Grimsby
Alexis Bennett------Cambridge
So here are the names on Rotation #8. I thought maybe if people had names you could pray for the individuals by name instead of team members.
It looks like we all will meet in Buffalo and fly out together. This will help me immensely as I was already worried about flying by myself from Toronto.
Ok as I know more details I will keep on posting.
Alexis
Weather forcast for Biloxi
WED OCT 26 THU OCT 27 FRI OCT 28 SAT OCT 29 SUN OCT 30
HIGH
21°C(69°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F)
LOW
7°C(44°F) 8°C(46°F) 8°C(46°F) 10°C(50°F) 10°C(50°F)
CONDITION
Sunny Sunny Variable cloudiness Sunny Sunny
P.O.P.
0% 0% 20% 20% 10%
HIGH
21°C(69°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F)
LOW
7°C(44°F) 8°C(46°F) 8°C(46°F) 10°C(50°F) 10°C(50°F)
CONDITION
Sunny Sunny Variable cloudiness Sunny Sunny
P.O.P.
0% 0% 20% 20% 10%
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Preparation for Deployment to the States
Well here it is Tuesday evening two nights before I leave as a Disaster team worker. It was confirmed today that I will be definitely flying out on Thursday. Now plans of changed a little since my first announcement of being accepted to go to help. Originally I was asked if I would be interested in going to Texas to help out. Well that need has changed and I am now part of rotation #8 from Ontario going to Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi. I will be gone for 14 days and am expected to be on a (12) twelve day work force.
Now this is a pretty exciting time for me, and also with that excitement comes fear of the unknown. I am sure each day will be filled with many challenges and experiences that will change my life for ever. God is asking me to step up to the plate and this is what I will do. I know that the power of prayer is so powerful so I ask that for the next 14 days you keep me and the other 9 members of my team in your prayers.
I ask that you pray for the strength, courage we will need to face each day. For the wisdom and knowledge of what to say or do. As we are exposed to things we may have heard of and seen on television often that we are able to handle it and carry on with the work we are there for. As we will be exposed to many illnesses, maybe diseases that we are protected from them. For safety, unity for Gods will. I am sure you can think of much more to pray for us about as well.
If you are interested in a list of the rest of my team members please feel free to ask Joan for it as she has a copy.
So today was the beginning of a very busy next few days. Today I had to receive for needles, Hep A & B, Tetanus, and the flu shot. I had to go out and buy steel toed shoes or boots & I also had to buy a sleeping bag just in case they can not put us up in a hotel. I was talking to one of the Majors who are going with us on this trip and he says they may be putting an article in our local papers about me heading out since I am the only member from our area going. Most of our team is from the St. Catherine. So he feels our community needs to know someone is going to represent the Army. So you can watch to see if there is anything in the local media.
So now all I need to do is finish packing, do some more organizing of my travel arrangements, get to the airport and see you all in two weeks.
God Bless you all and I look forward from hearing from you all.
Alexis
Now this is a pretty exciting time for me, and also with that excitement comes fear of the unknown. I am sure each day will be filled with many challenges and experiences that will change my life for ever. God is asking me to step up to the plate and this is what I will do. I know that the power of prayer is so powerful so I ask that for the next 14 days you keep me and the other 9 members of my team in your prayers.
I ask that you pray for the strength, courage we will need to face each day. For the wisdom and knowledge of what to say or do. As we are exposed to things we may have heard of and seen on television often that we are able to handle it and carry on with the work we are there for. As we will be exposed to many illnesses, maybe diseases that we are protected from them. For safety, unity for Gods will. I am sure you can think of much more to pray for us about as well.
If you are interested in a list of the rest of my team members please feel free to ask Joan for it as she has a copy.
So today was the beginning of a very busy next few days. Today I had to receive for needles, Hep A & B, Tetanus, and the flu shot. I had to go out and buy steel toed shoes or boots & I also had to buy a sleeping bag just in case they can not put us up in a hotel. I was talking to one of the Majors who are going with us on this trip and he says they may be putting an article in our local papers about me heading out since I am the only member from our area going. Most of our team is from the St. Catherine. So he feels our community needs to know someone is going to represent the Army. So you can watch to see if there is anything in the local media.
So now all I need to do is finish packing, do some more organizing of my travel arrangements, get to the airport and see you all in two weeks.
God Bless you all and I look forward from hearing from you all.
Alexis
Sunday, October 23, 2005
As One Door Closes Another Will Open---Hurricane Relief Work
Today as the other 17 members of my family and me woke up; we awoke with much anticipation of how the day would end. You see as I mentioned in my last blog out family were to leave on a Caribbean Cruise. We were to fly into Fort Lauderdale, sail to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, and back to Key West. Our cruise was redirected and now we are to sail the Bahamas, just as exciting.
The major worries are we able to fly into Ft. Lauderdale or what our options since the direction of Hurricane Wilma & Omega are so uncertain. As of 12:30, 3:30 everything is a go and our travel agent worked hard to get us rooms in Ft. Lauderdale since the ship was now due to sail Tuesday instead of Monday.
All the children are so excited about this fabulous trip that they have been talking about it for months. The whole family planned to go to Toronto this evening stay at a hotel and fly in the morning.
Well today at around 4:00 pm the news of the cruise has been cancelled and Ships sailing from Port Everglades posted the following update.
UPDATED - Enchantment of the Seas - The Tuesday, October 25, sailing of Enchantment of the Seas - originally scheduled to depart on Monday, October 24 - is now cancelled. The ship will now be used to bring humanitarian relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Wilma in Mexico. Enchantment of the seas will resume its normal sailings on Saturday, October 28, departing from Port Everglades.
So as this door was slamming shut for this week, the family has decided we would try to rebook for a Christmas Cruise or an Easter Cruise. So to unpack or not unpack? HUMMMMMMM what shall we do.
This question was quickly answered for me. You see I have always had on my heart for as far back as I can remember that I would like to go to a 3rd world country and help with rebuilding from disasters or to help build schools, hospitals and teach. Just to do what ever was needed from me.
Since I joined the Salvation Army almost 4 yrs ago and even more recently from when Tsunami hit it has even been heavier on my heart. I found myself left with the question of what can I do to help and how can I help. I found myself putting my name on a list of volunteers who were willing and ready to go and help. Now up to now there has not been a need for my help other than thru prayer. Today around 3:15 before we knew our cruise was cancelled I received a call from my contact with in the Salvation Army asking me if I could go to Texas as early as this Wednesday if a team is sent. I said no because we were still planning on going on our cruise.
While at 4:00pm when we were told that the trip was cancelled and we would have to rebook I started calling back my contact. As of 6:30 this evening it is confirmed I am on the list of people who will be heading out this Wednesday to help with the hurricane relief work.
So you see if you believe that all things happen for a reason and that as one door closes another one will open well then in his time it will. I have said all along if it is his will well then it will happen. Now I have been told to wait for the email or call tomorrow to tell me yes or no if we are going and what the next steps will be.
God is awesome and I am so grateful that this is looking like it will happen. I am so glad to be being called to do work for him. Our God is a powerful wonderful God who I love getting to know more and more each day. I am looking forward to this new, exciting, challenging, wonderful God experience that is about to happen. I know it will be another life changing experience for me.
Please pray for me and the team I am on and keep coming back to see my reports from Texas. I will take my laptop with me and hopefully have the opportunity to update you all on this experience as often as I can. I will get lots of pictures and will be looking forward to receiving your comments of support and encouragement. Please feel to email me often, will love to hear from you all.
God Bless
The major worries are we able to fly into Ft. Lauderdale or what our options since the direction of Hurricane Wilma & Omega are so uncertain. As of 12:30, 3:30 everything is a go and our travel agent worked hard to get us rooms in Ft. Lauderdale since the ship was now due to sail Tuesday instead of Monday.
All the children are so excited about this fabulous trip that they have been talking about it for months. The whole family planned to go to Toronto this evening stay at a hotel and fly in the morning.
Well today at around 4:00 pm the news of the cruise has been cancelled and Ships sailing from Port Everglades posted the following update.
UPDATED - Enchantment of the Seas - The Tuesday, October 25, sailing of Enchantment of the Seas - originally scheduled to depart on Monday, October 24 - is now cancelled. The ship will now be used to bring humanitarian relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Wilma in Mexico. Enchantment of the seas will resume its normal sailings on Saturday, October 28, departing from Port Everglades.
So as this door was slamming shut for this week, the family has decided we would try to rebook for a Christmas Cruise or an Easter Cruise. So to unpack or not unpack? HUMMMMMMM what shall we do.
This question was quickly answered for me. You see I have always had on my heart for as far back as I can remember that I would like to go to a 3rd world country and help with rebuilding from disasters or to help build schools, hospitals and teach. Just to do what ever was needed from me.
Since I joined the Salvation Army almost 4 yrs ago and even more recently from when Tsunami hit it has even been heavier on my heart. I found myself left with the question of what can I do to help and how can I help. I found myself putting my name on a list of volunteers who were willing and ready to go and help. Now up to now there has not been a need for my help other than thru prayer. Today around 3:15 before we knew our cruise was cancelled I received a call from my contact with in the Salvation Army asking me if I could go to Texas as early as this Wednesday if a team is sent. I said no because we were still planning on going on our cruise.
While at 4:00pm when we were told that the trip was cancelled and we would have to rebook I started calling back my contact. As of 6:30 this evening it is confirmed I am on the list of people who will be heading out this Wednesday to help with the hurricane relief work.
So you see if you believe that all things happen for a reason and that as one door closes another one will open well then in his time it will. I have said all along if it is his will well then it will happen. Now I have been told to wait for the email or call tomorrow to tell me yes or no if we are going and what the next steps will be.
God is awesome and I am so grateful that this is looking like it will happen. I am so glad to be being called to do work for him. Our God is a powerful wonderful God who I love getting to know more and more each day. I am looking forward to this new, exciting, challenging, wonderful God experience that is about to happen. I know it will be another life changing experience for me.
Please pray for me and the team I am on and keep coming back to see my reports from Texas. I will take my laptop with me and hopefully have the opportunity to update you all on this experience as often as I can. I will get lots of pictures and will be looking forward to receiving your comments of support and encouragement. Please feel to email me often, will love to hear from you all.
God Bless
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Milestones
Wow it has been a while since my last post. So much has gone on. We had a few family Birthdays in September, the anniversary of a friends passing, Thanksgiving & my Parents 50th wedding anniversary.
Wedding Anniversaries can become part of our Legacy and Heritage. What do I mean by that well...? My grandparents were married October 6th 1928 so that would be if they were still alive 77 yrs, my parents celebrated October 15th 50 years of marriage and this July coming my oldest brother will be celebrating his 25th, my younger sister is coming up to around 15 yrs, and my youngest brother is coming up to around 12 or 13 yrs. So you see in our family when we take wedding vows it was forever. Not like today where you are married today and divorced tomorrow.
Marriage was not made for divorce in the old days it was made for two people to live and care for each other through sickness and through health, through good and bad times, and through all the trials and tribulations. You rode out what ever storms hit and you worked them out together. You got old together. Thus far there has not been any divorce in our side of the family, in fact if you add up all the marriages there has been 180 years of marriages. What a great thing.
That is almost 200 years of family memories, stories and of parents, children, grand children, and great grandchildren. We are now into the fifth generation of Bennett’s. What a clan we are. Today there are 18 members of this immediate family. Our family will carry on for at least one more generation as there are 7 boys to carry on the name. It awes mw to think of that. I just spent the last month putting together a photo album of the last 50 years of this family.
This album is a family history book to be carried down from generation to generation. It is a book to continue with the next marriages to come forth and their children. It is my hope that this book is the beginning of the tracking of this Great Family.
So I look at this marriage as a milestone in the days and lives of the James H Bennett Clan of Cambridge. This book tracks the last fifty years and it is my hope to track back the previous fifty as well, so that this generation can know where it all started from.
So here is a toast for the celebration of 50 years together and a milestone in our lives. Love you Mom & Dad.
Wedding Anniversaries can become part of our Legacy and Heritage. What do I mean by that well...? My grandparents were married October 6th 1928 so that would be if they were still alive 77 yrs, my parents celebrated October 15th 50 years of marriage and this July coming my oldest brother will be celebrating his 25th, my younger sister is coming up to around 15 yrs, and my youngest brother is coming up to around 12 or 13 yrs. So you see in our family when we take wedding vows it was forever. Not like today where you are married today and divorced tomorrow.
Marriage was not made for divorce in the old days it was made for two people to live and care for each other through sickness and through health, through good and bad times, and through all the trials and tribulations. You rode out what ever storms hit and you worked them out together. You got old together. Thus far there has not been any divorce in our side of the family, in fact if you add up all the marriages there has been 180 years of marriages. What a great thing.
That is almost 200 years of family memories, stories and of parents, children, grand children, and great grandchildren. We are now into the fifth generation of Bennett’s. What a clan we are. Today there are 18 members of this immediate family. Our family will carry on for at least one more generation as there are 7 boys to carry on the name. It awes mw to think of that. I just spent the last month putting together a photo album of the last 50 years of this family.
This album is a family history book to be carried down from generation to generation. It is a book to continue with the next marriages to come forth and their children. It is my hope that this book is the beginning of the tracking of this Great Family.
So I look at this marriage as a milestone in the days and lives of the James H Bennett Clan of Cambridge. This book tracks the last fifty years and it is my hope to track back the previous fifty as well, so that this generation can know where it all started from.
So here is a toast for the celebration of 50 years together and a milestone in our lives. Love you Mom & Dad.
