The cold, the mold, the rain, and cockroaches can all greet volunteers involved in rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.
Yet members of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s Disaster Response Services come back again and again.
Roy and Polly Stanley of First Christian Reformed Church, Seattle, Wash., served as site managers for a recent work team in Laurel, Miss. It was their seventh year.
“It’s so rewarding to see people go back into their homes after [up to] one-and-a-half years of being displaced,” said Polly.
Ethyl Merrill, 82, heard a tree fall on the porch of her already needy home. Sustained high winds of 120-130 mph did the rest. “It was the first time I got help for anything,” said Merrill. “I really appreciate it.”
John and Millie Rozeveld of Vogel Center CRC, McBain, Mich., served as construction managers. This was their 12th year with DRS.
“I feel I have skills that can be used by the Lord to help these people in extreme need,” said John.
Bill Adams, director of CRWRC-Disaster Response Services, notes that the Katrina recovery work will go on for many years. “The DRS will remain involved, thanks to our donors and volunteers,” said Adams.
To date almost $2.5 million has been donated to CRWRC to aid more than 500 families.
