Volunteer describes experience among destroyed homes in Florida.
By Alice Banks
Our experience with the Virginia Baptist disaster relief team was our first mission trip but not the last.
We served on teams that cooked for everyone, shopped for groceries and canvassed the Deep Creek neighborhood of Punta Gorda, Fla., to try and identify those who still have unmet needs from the devastating impact of three hurricanes that hit the area in late summer of 2004.
The stories told to us by the residents of their terror when riding out the storm (it wasn't forecast to hit their area and they had little notice to evacuate); their stress in trying to cope in the aftermath with damaged homes and businesses, oftentimes loss of jobs; wrangles with their insurance companies, not knowing where to turn for help, were heart-wrenching.
There are so many people who need help. They are hurting more than most of us can imagine, because we haven't been in their circumstances. We definitely sensed a lot of depression because they have been living with their broken homes and dreams for the past six months. The devastation is incredible.
We went to Florida to help the victims and it is our sincere hope that we did just that for at least a few survivors. We came away humbled, inspired and so very thankful for our own blessings.
There is so much to be done, and this new project of canvassing neighborhoods is definitely needed. Most anyone can do it, and we would certainly recommend to everyone who thinks they have nothing to offer-nothing they can
contribute-to go and be a part of this effort. So many people thanked us and repeatedly said, “God bless you” to us. They couldn't believe we were volunteers, not receiving pay for our efforts, and that we had come all the way from Virginia to help them. They were very grateful.
It was difficult to leave, because there is so much to do. Please include the people of Florida in your prayers. They will be so grateful. God bless them-and you!
Special to the Herald
Lee and Alice Banks were among a team from the Dan River Baptist Association who served in Florida in early February.