By Susan Sandvig, MODR Information Team

Too often, winter can bring a variety of disasters, whether it’s from wind, flooding or ice. That was certainly the case this past season. It started in

 November when MODR unit leader Dan Freeze received a call requesting a team to clean out some flooded homes in the Waynesville area. While the team completed several jobs in the area, Freeze said one particular job in nearby Duke, Missouri, stood out.

“It was through a series of God-ordained events that we ended up working on a house over an hour from where we were staying,” he recalled, explaining how the home of a 65-year-old widow received extensive flood damage. “Nancy was clearly depressed, and had no idea how she would recover from this catastrophic event.”

Within a couple hours of the team’s arrival, Nancy commented, “I had given up all hope, and then you guys came. I don’t understand it.” However, even though the initial flood cleanup was completed within a few days, Freeze said he felt very strongly that God was calling his team to return and rebuild the home. After discussing his thoughts with MODR volunteer Ann Stevenson, who was leading the operation, and subsequently submitting the proposal to MODR Director Gaylon Moss, the team returned on January 13 and completed the job in five days.

During this time, Freeze and his team not only restored the house, but had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus in word and deed … even presenting her with the gospel on two different occasions.  

Like Freeze, Ann Stevenson said she immediately felt a connection with Nancy, as the flood waters had reached three feet high in her home. It was evident Nancy needed more help than just cleanup, she related. As a result, the home received new insulation, dry walls, painting, and new flooring throughout. She was also provided a new bathroom vanity and kitchen sink. Convoy of Hope donated all new appliances (stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer), while the Pulaski County Office of Emergency Management donated insulation and some of the drywall.

Disaster Relief wasn’t limited to Duke and Waynesville, though. Around the same time, MODR was called across the state to Perryville, Missouri, after a devastating ice storm hit that area in early January. Thousands of Perry County residents found themselves in need of assistance removing downed trees and branches from their homes and driveways. Leading that response was Tom Malott, Southeast Missouri MODR Regional Coordinator, whose team responded to no less than 131 work requests from area residents. Of those received, 107 were completed in 17 days by 33 volunteers traveling to Perryville from all over the state.

“I was quite impressed at how fast the team came together,” said Logan Bennet, pastor of the Baptist Church of Perryville, which provided housing, meals and a staging area for volunteers. “We did not expect the number of volunteers we received,” he recalled. “During the time they were here, I witnessed the love of the Lord, and the love for their neighbors. Each volunteer was courteous and had a heart to serve, exhibiting exemplary Christian character. I do not know what we would done if they had not come.”