work week
Our next work week in Joplin will be =
the week of=20
April 23-27. We should be close to finishing if we can get a good crew. =
We will=20
be putting in light fixtures, staining doors and installing, installing =
garage=20
doors, electrical plugs, etc. Painting should be completed by the time =
we get=20
there. We need a count as quickly as possible. Let us hear from=20
you.
Kathy HokeWork Weeks
These are the work weeks for FDS in Joplin.
January 16-20
February 13-17
March 19-23
Let us know which one you will be able to help. They have been getting help from Catholic Charities so some extra things have been taken care of for them. God is good and He takes care of His children. Accommodations will be at Riverton Friends Church in Riverton, Kansas.Kathy & Tom Hoke
Christmas greetings
We hope this finds you ready for the holidays.
May your Christmas be a time of warmth from the love of family and friends. May the love of God, through the gift of His son Jesus, be the kindling that keeps this fire burning longer than just the holiday season.
We have been blessed through the volunteers that help us each year. New friendships are treasured by us.
A prayer concern to be shared: Dan Benke, Tom’s uncle, missed the last couple of rungs on the ladder earlier this month and hurt his knee. He will have surgery January 9 to repair a torn meniscus and a torn ACL. Pray for a speedy recovery.We are praying for a prosperous New Year for all. We will get back to you as quickly as Tom sets the January week work.
Love to all,Tom and Kathy Hoke
‘For to us a child is born
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’
Isa 9:6Next Work Week in Joplin
We had an amazing first week in Joplin. The house for James and Misty went from just a floor to two stories completely decked including roof. Thank you to the crews that worked so diligently. May God bless each of you for your willingness to be used by Him for His glory. The next work week is scheduled for December 5-9. A cook will be needed since I can not go during that particular week.
Let us know who can make this week ASAP.Blessings to all and I hope your Thanksgiving is grand,KathyFDS to help build home in Joplin, Missouri
On Sunday, May 20, 2011, an E5 tornado steamrolled over Joplin, Missouri. It knocked out a hospital and caused many deaths across the city while leaving thousands homeless.
The death toll from the tornado that ripped through Joplin soared to 116 on Monday, tying it for the single deadliest twister to ever hit American soil since the National Weather Service began keeping records 61 years ago.
Friends Disaster Service will be helping one family rebuild their home. James Edwards was and the children were not home at the time the tornado hit, but his fiancée was and was trapped under the debris of their house. She was not seriously injured, which was a miracle, but their home was a total loss. Between them they have 5 children, one son Ian (13) and four daughters Lindsey (14), Maddie (13), Shaya (12) and Shelby (9). James is also the son of Bill “Cooter” Edwards who is a long-time FDS volunteer.
We are going to help rebuild their home. We have set the first two weeks in November to start the project, October 31-November 12, 2011. We will be staying at the Riverton Friends Church at 6484 SE 70th St., Riverton, Kansas 66770. Phone at the church is 620.848.4077. Contact Bill Edwards for any information needed about accommodations at 620.762.0781.
Volunteers are needed to help with this project. All you need to bring air mattresses, bedding, toiletries and towels. Food will be provided.
For further information contact Tom Hoke at 281.808.7393 or email at fdsta@comcast.net. We need a head count ASAP.
Next Project…Joplin, Missouri
Tom Hoke is in Joplin, Missouri at the time of this writing. He is there sizing up the project to help rebuild a home that stands no more. The C5 tornado completely destroyed the home and trapped the homeowner in the debris. She was not seriously injured which is a miracle in itself and her children were not at home at the time. FDS will help with the startup of a new home for her. Once Tom returns I will post details.
Merry Christmas!
May you have a blessed Christmas! We are so blessed to have you as a part of Friends Disaster Service.
To Our Volunteers
by Lisa EllinwoodV is for the Very special people that you are
O is for the Overwhelming support & compassion you offer others during their time of need
L is for the Little things you do that make such a difference in someone’s life
U is for the Unspoken words that sometimes mean just as much
N is for the Need you fill when others aren’t able
T is for the Time you give of yourselves on top of your own busy schedules
E is for the Emotional support you continually give
E is also for the Endless energy you all seem to possess
R is for the Responsibility you have taken on & never once complainedTom & Kathy Hoke
C.O.R.E. Homes for HAITI Makes News!
The C.O.R.E homes for Haiti project makes the Galveston Daily News this morning in the Our County section. Read It here:
Haiti Homes Update
Greetings to all,
I have the lastest info on the Haiti homes. This week on Wednesday 5-8 and Saturday 8-4, workers are needed to finish loading pallets and banding stacks to ready the homes for shipping. I will have to get back to you when they firm the week, but either the last week of September or the first week of October the last of the homes will be loaded for shipment. The truck drivers, who are union truckers, only work Monday through Friday 8-5. So whichever week, workers are needed at the warehouse in League City during those hours to help load the homes. Forklifts will be used for lifting but hands are needed to manuever the pallets into the shipping containers. If you are available, let us know. Out of towners, we have housing available if needed. Once the homes are loaded, this will end our committment to this project, and we will begin something else. There is still work to be done for Ike damage. We will get with you when Tom is finished with his rehab.
We continue to minister in Christ’s name,
Kathy
Update on the Homes for Haiti Project
I just wanted to send out an update on the Homes for Haiti project. Although Tom could not attend the last trip to Haiti because of his knee replacement surgery, we do have word on the homes. They were release from customs and are now being assembled. Matt, who is coordinator for C.O.R. E., went to Haiti to teach locals how to assemble the homes. They did not weather well sitting at the dock and while being held in customs, so they have had to come up with another way of shipping. The Lutherans are assuming the responsibility of shipping the remaining homes to Haiti, which is a blessing. There has been an understanding with customs in Haiti, so there will not be the problems with the next 225 homes that will be shipped. The work at the warehouse in League City will continue until the last of the homes that were started are completed and then the project will end.
The people of Haiti were thrilled with the homes and will live in them until permanent housing is available. So know that what you gave to the project is in the process of coming to completion and the people of Haiti are blessed.
Check out the the following site to see the first pictures of the homes in Haiti.
Don’t forget to check out the FDS website for updates regularly. We will have the pictures posted from Tom’s trip in June soon.
May the Lord continue to bless you for your faithfulness to His ministry through Friends Disaster Service.
Texas Severe Weather Alerts
- Flood Advisory issued May 25 at 5:05AM CDT until May 25 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS
- Flood Advisory issued May 25 at 4:45AM CDT until May 25 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS
- Flood Advisory issued May 25 at 4:13AM CDT until May 25 at 5:45AM CDT by NWS