Lots to do...

The amount of work that is needed here in Alabama is overwhelming. We have witnessed some very tough situations over the years but this one is right up at the top of the list. The destruction just continues once you enter the storm zone.

Our team has done a great job of not only cleaning up debris but also - and more importantly - helped folks by engaging them in spiritual conversations.

We visited Ray again today after spending yesterday with him working on his yard. He actually got out and worked with this team. This rarely happens! At the end of the day Ray is still considering "getting right with The Lord" (his words) and I believe he is well on his way. I love talking with someone who is really counting the cost of following Jesus. He could have easily said a prayer and sent us on our way but he was more honest than that. I would have come all of the way up here and worked in this capacity for a week just to have this conversation with Ray. It was a very genuine conversation that has now lasted for several hours.

Andrew Vanover has done wonderful serving as our team chaplain. While our team is cutting up trees, Andrew is walking through the neighborhood talking with other folks. God is really using him!

We helped a man named John today with the trees that had fallen during the storm. While we were working Andrew and another Chaplain named Will spent the afternoon ministering to John. He has some very real issues that could use our prayers and encouragement.

Our truck continues to give us problems. We put it back in the shop today. We remind ourselves how blessed we are that there is a Ford dealership in this town that works on diesels and has the parts in stock. They hope to have it ready for us tomorrow afternoon so that we can come home on Saturday.

Here is a picture of Ray and a Methodist church in Cordova that was damaged by the storm. There were actually many folks in the basment of the church when the tornado hit. They all survived.

Thanks for praying for our team and more importantly for the folks here in Alabama.