Volume 7, Number 6

Information - Inspiration - Humor

JUNE 2011

The Apison Appeal MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE APISON, TENNESSEE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

OUT OF AN ILL WIND saved all of us," Mrs. Marais emphasizes with a note of utmost sincerity and gratefulness. "He knew we still need each other."

BY MARK SARGEANT

n amazing number of God's family who are members of this church and school community experienced God's miraculous protection and mercy in the recent April 27 tornadoes. Survivors' harrowing accounts are far too numerous to ascribe to chance.

A

SHAWN MARAIS, a sixth-grader at the Lester Coon Adventist School, and his sister, Hope, a first-grader there, have their own unique story. They lived with their mom and grandmother in an Apison mobile home located at what has been described by locals as the "epicenter" of the EF4 tornado. SHAWN’S TEACHER, Leanne Barto, and Mark Sargeant, his principal, had spent time with the 5th-8th grade students as they were cloistered in the safest part of the school during the tornado warnings just before noon, that eventful Wednesday. Shawn remembers that they reviewed together the warning signs of tornadoes, and identified the best places to go in a building for maximum safety. Then school let out early. LATER, during that fateful evening, Shawn and Hope were home watching videos with their grandmother, Yvonne Marais, since they had no television service. That meant they had no forewarning of the swirling destruction tracking towards them like an evil predator. Their mom, a night-shift worker, was sleeping in the front

Hope and Shawn bedroom ad-on. Hope, having fallen asleep on the couch, had just been carried off to bed by her loving grandma. Shawn, meanwhile, had gone to his room to glance through some Popular Science magazines. Suddenly Shawn heard the faint, menacing sound of rushing wind. This was what the teachers had just told him about. Shawn, sensing imminent, life-threatening danger, felt a surge of fear. He knew his precious mom was asleep in the ad-on, away from the safer center of the trailer. "Mom! Come!" he yelled intensely and repeatedly, his words shrieking over the rising wind. SHAWN’S VOICE had a “desperate quality," his mom recounts, "a tone I had never heard before." I wanted to linger, to sleep longer, and I was unaware of danger; but I was compelled to come to him. We sat down together on the hallway floor" That simple act saved her life. Grandma, likewise oblivious to danger, had just come into the kitchen headed toward Shawn, but paused instead by a small window. Those few untaken steps were Goddirected, as she would have been by the back door. "God saved my life, too. He

AT THAT INSTANT the vicious tornado struck. With a roar like a turbine, punctuated by the staccato of snapping trees, it threw the mobile home off its foundation, breaking its hold-down ties like so much twine. Trees near the house tumbled domino-like, flung in all directions, with God's angels guiding each one away from the house. The back door blew completely away, the enclosed back porch disintegrated, and with a crash, the bedroom ad-on roof, where their irreplaceable mom would have been except for Shawn's insistence, collapsed onto the now-empty bed. Hope, shaken awake in her distant glass-strewn nest, began to cry. The incredulous family looked about them in shocked disbelief! Not a scratch? Were they really all right amid this devastation? FOLLOWING a quick appraisal of their situation, and the rescue of a few precious things, the devastated family soon huddled together in grandma's bedroom singing quietly in the darkness. "When I am afraid I will trust in You!" (Steve Green) Grandma's mind flooded with the assurance of the 23rd Psalm, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." HOPE AND SHAWN’S mom, Mrs. Huskey, telling the story, bubbled over with joyous emotion. She described Continued on the Next Page >>>

PAGE 2

THE APISON APPEAL

what it meant that wonderful Apison church and school acquaintances, as well as volunteers from Southern Adventist University and the community, came and ministered to their needs with shelter, chainsaw, love, encouragement, and food over the next few hours and days, eventually moving them into a wonderful, strong, convenient house. "We're from South Africa. We have been here twelve years and we have no family. The biggest blessing," she glowed," is how the church surrounded us with so much love and help. They became our family!" "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

MORE STORM STORIES on Pages 6, 7 and 8

Family HAPPENINGS from Various Sources i Chris, Setsuko, Sophia and Mika Carey are in Argentina for six weeks as part of a cultural exchange between SAU and Universidad Adventista del Plata. Chris writes, “Spent a day and night in Buenos Aires touring the city and then made the 6-hour trip to campus for the weekend. The president and several administrators hosted a nice Sabbath luncheon for the Careys and Cavinesses. Tony Trim and Amanda Jehle arrive in the next few days. People are wonderful, weather has been unseasonably warm (they said don't get used to it – it's winter here!), and enjoyed walking about campus and town. Now, reality is setting in as we anticipate beginning our language intensives tomorrow morning. Our girls have already made friends with some students they will be shadowing

at the elementary schools. Mika is still getting used to kissing to greet boys. It is a wonderful opportunity to be here and learn, and I can see by the response here that it was important that we send an administrator as part of the exchange program.” i Wayne Long has finished requirements for the Master of Divinity degree at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary of Andrews University. He has been hired by the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference to be pastor of the Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist church in Madison, TN. i Jeremiah Daniel Fraker was born on 5/7/11 at 3:20pm weighing 7lbs 2 oz. Mother, father and son are all doing well and are now at home. The babe has been in church already. i Faye McCulpin has returned from Zimbabwe where she was on a mission trip with Maranatha Volunteers. She and her sister were involved in the construction of classrooms at the old Solusi Mission school. i Karen and Glen Wintermeyer invite you to the wedding of their son, Tad Wintermeyer, to his beloved fiancée, Tonya Baker, Sabbath, May 28, 2011, 4pm at the Apison SDA Church. i Roger and Judy Anderson have returned from wintering in California. i Greg Williams (PhD), a behavioral psychologist in private practice at Apison Behavioral Health, was the speaker at the dedication ceremony for graduates from SAU’s School of Education and Psychology on April 30. Also participating was Faith Laughlin, associate professor of education. i SAU graduates on May 1 included: Charity Stone (magna cum laude), Tom Stone, Karen Briggs, Aaron Cheney, Ashley Cheney Wagner, Mary Cordes.

i Elected officers for fiscal term starting in July are: Angel Segarra, Pathfinder Director; Anita McGrath, Home and School Leader; Bill Wilson, Education Secretary and School Board member.

JUNE 2011

Five Students Finish 8th Grade A graduation service for five students of LCAS was held May 19 at the church. Pastor Dale Tunnell was the guest speaker who challenged them to follow through with their aim, “If we can’t find the road to success, we’ll fly.” David Glassford and Christopher Hill responded. The valedictory was given by David Barrios, who later received a $1,000 scholarship to Georgia-Cumberland Academy. The other graduates received $500 scholarships to GCA. A representative from Collegedale Academy came to wish them well but gave no scholarships. Principal Mark Sargeant presented a special citizenship award to 4th Grader Tre Smith for his helpfulness to other students. #

New Members Adrian Williams Jon Goodwin Timothy S. Hart Dale, Deanne & Hannah Phillips Reggie and AmandaThomas Linda Durham John and Lori Gulley Areli J. Rivera Teresa Severance

Did you know... You can now give online to the Apison Adventist Church. You can return your tithe or give to the church budget or donate for whatever on the church website. Just go to apisonchurch.org and click on the Planned Giving tab!

No News in July The management and staff of THE APISON APPEAL will be on vacation during June. There will be no issue in July. There will be a July calendar posted on the church website, however. “Patience is a virtue and virtue won’t hurt you.”

JUNE 2011

THE APISON APPEAL

PAGE 3

Church School Graduates Five from Eighth Grade Lester Coon Adventist

SCHOOL NEWS The Graduates MARY JENNINGS Birthplace: Cleveland, TN Goals: Some day I hope to own a shelter in which I will work as a minor vet (help on each case before it goes into surgery, but not perform operations.) I may possibly be an artist on the side, and I plan to never have kids. Hobbies: I like riding horses, trying new makeup, drawing and singing DAVID GLASSFORD My name is David Glassford and I was born on February 28, 1997, in Washington state. I have moved a lot of places around America and have gone on many mission trips. I like playing sports and mountain biking along with being with friends. Some goals in my life are to either become a radiologist or a neurosurgeon.

AMBER BRAILSFORD Age: 13. Born: Orlando, Florida (Arnold Palmer Hospital ) Goals and Interests: I have many goals. I want to be a lawyer, then I want to open up a huge restaurant, and be very successful. I want to work in Criminal Investigation, I want to be an Forensic Anthropologist. I also have a thing for wanting to be a Cosmetologist. I look forward to accomplishing all my goals with God’s help. Some of my interests include watching movies, watching TV, reading books, swimming, shopping, doing hair, playing basketball, watching basketball ( GO Miami Heat ). That's not the end, but I could type all day. CHRISTOPHER HILL Christopher James Hill Birthday: March 9, 1997 I was born in East Ridge, TN to my mother, Tammy Marie Stonecipher and my dad, Christopher Jarret Hill Hobbies: Video games, friends, walking, TV, school, going out of town, spending time with friends. Goals: to be able to go to CA for my high school. After that I would like to go to a good college with an excellent graphic design class. After that I would love to get my dream job at the Pokemon Company.

DAVID BARRIOS My name is David Barrios and I was born here in Tennessee on August 25, 1997. I have moved around all my life but I moved back here 3 years ago. My hobbies are playing video games and drawing. Because of these hobbies my goal in life is to major in graphic design and minor in animation. One day I hope to work for Bethesda Softworks, one of the greatest (in my opinion) video game developing companies. If not that, I would like to work for an animation studio. I honestly believe I can achieve these goals if I set my mind to it.

Slip-n-Slide Day, by Arielle Gearheart and Hannah Phillips The hour before the slip & slide, grades 5-8 set everything up. The day started with a hot dog lunch provided by Home and School. Then the real fun began. At first only two people were allowed to go down at once, then Mrs. Barto called each class to all go down, one class at a time so that Mrs. Phillips could take a picture of each class. There was only one injury in the whole school, Caleb Wooten sprained his ankle. One thing the students of LCA liked was the Tunnel. This is when the students pull the two sides of the slide together and then the kids slide down into a puddle of water. It was lots of fun. Then the teachers provided ice cream and popsicles for everyone.

PAGE 4

THE APISON APPEAL

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Apison Seventh-day Adventist Church 11421 Bates Road – Apison, TN 37302 Post Office Box 1551 – Collegedale, TN 37315 Telephone: (423) 236-4214 -o-

Visit Our W ebsite: www.apisonchurch.org

JUNE 2011

Matthew said they enjoyed feeding and petting the goats. After a tiresome morning, the students were thankful for a time of rest and enjoyed eating together at picnic tables just outside the zoo. Many of the students also enjoyed several of the carousel rides. Our experience at the Chattanooga Zoo was fun, and many children expressed an interest in going back again next year!

-oSecond graders Tiana Cameron, Jubilee Hills and Audrey Coulter enjoy exploring the zoo together

Find us on facebook: Apison SDA Church -oPASTOR: JEFF BROWN ...........................................

260-2074

[email protected] -oHead Elder: Glen Wintermeyer................................... Head Deacon: Brian Wilson ........................................ Head Deaconess: Jeanie Hair .................................... Clerk: Cyndi Fox .......................................................... -oLester Coon Adventist School Telephone: (423) 236-4926

443-5486 339-8006 364-4902 478-2833

Visit Our Website: www.apisonsdaschool.com

Group of students stop to pose for a picture

The Apison Appeal Monthly Newspaper for Members and Friends -oEDITOR / PUBLISHER: ERLING ODELL Telephone: 423-591-4779

E-mail: [email protected]

Associates: Penny White and Becky McCurdy Typist: Yvonne Marais-Huskey Circulation Manager: BreeAn Adams Hope Huskey, Matthew Raney and Nevin Lucas enjoying petting and feeding the goats

Technical Support: Rob Raney, Robby Raney, Greg Daniel PRINTING: MODERN WAY PRINTING & FULFILLMENT xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A Trip to the Zoo By JEANIE ALLEN , teacher, K-2, LCAS On April 6, the K-2 classroom went to the Chattanooga Zoo. The sunny weather conditions were perfect for a day out. Several parents and other family members went with us. The students broke up into approximately five groups to explore the variety of animals at the zoo. Audrey and Cate's favorite animal was the baby snow leopard. "It was so cute," said Audrey, "and fun to watch." Haylen liked watching the cotton-top tamarins carrying their tiny babies on their backs. Many of the students, including Cate, Hope, Benny, and Nevin, liked the jaguars the best, but wished they had more space to live and roam. Jubilee especially enjoyed watching the adorable prairie dogs jump in and out of their holes. Most of the students went into the petting area and fed the goats. Benny, Hope, and

--

HELP NEEDED Volunteer help needed for tornado victims at Adventist Community Service Crisis Distribution Center. Location: Lester Coon Apison School, 11421 Bates Rd, Apison.. Register with Peggy Rowan - 509-4487 Schedule is seven days a week through the next couple of weeks. Need is for at least 8 people during the time they are opened through the end of June.

June, 2011 Sunday The Seventhday Adventist Church At Apison Tennessee

Monday Tuesday “He drew a circle that shut me out Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But Love and I had the wit to win; We drew a circle that took him in!”

5 Birthdays: Jonathan Liriano Robert Buttermore Alice Curtis

6 Birthdays: Dusty Meyers Anniversaries: Seth + Sonya Miller

By Edwin Markham 7 Birthday: Joshua Liriano Anniversary: Erling + Leona Odell

Wednesday 1

7pm Prayer Mtg. 8

Thursday 2 Birthdays: Barbara McCasland June Paynter

Friday

Sabbath

3 Birthdays: Aaron Cheney Helen Pauley

4 Anniversaries: Dwayne + Gwen Lovejoy Henry + Lorna Hills James + Ellen Purple 11am – Worship Glen Wintermeyer 3:00 Sunshine band

7pm – Financial Peace

Sunset: 8:51

9 Birthday: Maleah McCain

10 Birthday: John Lynn

10:30 Praise & Prayer Meeting

7pm Elders Mtg. 12 Anniversary: Jordan + Ashley Wagner

13 Birthdays: Jean Atherton Mel Chaney Anniversaries: Glen + Karen Wintermeyer Jeff + Joy Brown

7pm Prayer Mtg. 14 Birthday: Tom Payne 10:30 Praise & Prayer Meeting

7pm School board mtg. 19 Father’s Day Birthdays: David Barto Sarah Eirich Andrew Mashchak Anniversaries: Wendel + Sharon Adams Delmar + Della Anderson

20 Birthdays: Jeanie Hair Zuzana Rachal

7pm Church Board Mtg. 26 Birthday: Jeffery McGuire

27

15 Birthday: Tyler Adams

7pm – Financial Peace 16 Birthday: Joy Moore

6:30 New member supper Sunset: 8:55 17

Newsletter deadline

7pm Prayer Mtg. 21 Birthdays: Judy Boyco Jessica Koobs Brian Laneville Christina Segarra Anniversaries: Dalton + Charlotte Athey Bruce + MaryJane Ries First Day of Summer 10:30 Praise & Prayer Meeting

22 Anniversaries Josh + Jessi Fraker James + Cathy Patterson

28Birthday: Dorothy Peet

29 Birthdays: Talitha Toms Kari Wilson

7pm – Financial Peace

Sunset: 8:57

23 Birthdays: Butch Herthel

24 Birthday: Cory Herthel

11 Birthday: Leona Odell Anniversary: Gale + Pamela Lott 11am – Worship Pastor Brown 12:30 Fellowship lunch

18 Birthday: Sally Vanderoef Kristen McCurdy Anniversary: John + Brigitta Neff 11am – Worship Pastor Brown

25 Birthday: Debbie Gross Irene Thayer Anniversary: Tom + Charity Stone 11am – Worship Pastor Brown Communion

Sunset: 8:59 7pm Prayer Mtg.

10:30 Praise & Prayer Meeting

7pm Prayer Mtg.

7pm – Financial Peace 30 Birthdays: Michael Lewis Michael Paynter Anniversary: Layton + Kari Wilson

7pm – Financial Peace

“With God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;” Eccl. 9:10

PAGE 6

Vegan Delight BY : KATHERINE MAC FARLANE -oCARROT CAKE 1 cup chopped walnuts ½ cup raisins 2 cups grated carrots 3 Tbsp. coconut (optional) 1 ¼ cup w. wheat pastry flour 1 cup unbleached white or barley flour 1/8 cup brown sugar or cane juice crystals 2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg 1/8 tsp. cloves ¼ tsp. salt ¼ cup oil ¾ cup soy milk 2/3 cup pure maple syrup 2 tsp. vanilla extract Mix all dry ingredients well. Mix in walnuts, carrots, raisins, and coconut. In separate bowl, mix all liquid ingredients; then slowly mix into dry ingredients bowl. This will be a thick batter. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and pour batter into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Topping 1 12.3 oz. Mori-Nu firm tofu 6 oz. soy cream cheese 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract ¼ cup pure maple syrup (you may add 1/8 cup cane juice crystals if you wish) Mix all ingredients in a blender until whipped smooth. Once this is refrigerated, it will firm up. Either store in an airtight container or put on cake and refrigerate the whole thing. Top with nuts or coconut for garnish.

“It is good to remember that the tea kettle, although up to its neck in hot water, continues to sing.” – Shared by Roberta

Botimer.s

THE APISON APPEAL

Adventists Known for Disaster Response BY TERRY HAIGHT , Coordinator ACS/DR Georgia-Cumberland Conference Adventist Community Services / Disaster Response is well known for its disaster response program. Over the years we have built an enviable track record from all over this nation by our handling of warehouses, distribution centers and collection centers. Governments depend on us the handle the donations “problem” for them. This time is no exception. ACS/DR is operating a warehouse in the city of Cleveland, TN, in Bradley County that will serve both Bradley and Hamilton Counties, and will have a direct impact on the lives of thousands of people affected by the tornadoes of last week. This is what is expected of us, and we do it well. But the real heroes this time are the hundreds, perhaps thousands of ordinary church members who simply rolled up their sleeves, grabbed a chainsaw, a pair of gloves, a camp stove or grill, a pickup truck – whatever was needed, and went out and served their neighbors, cut trees out of their driveways or off their houses, fed survivors and volunteers, set up and operated impromptu distribution sites at intersections – in short, they did whatever was necessary to assist their neighbors. This was literal – these people were actually their physical neighbors in many cases. Southern Adventist University offered their dorm rooms for victims who needed short-term housing, starting a trend among other colleges and universities near by. I have spent the better part of the week in meetings with SAU, the VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) agencies and county Emergency Management Agencies as we all got our act together to help over the long term. But the local SDAs, backed by

JUNE 2011

Adventists from all over our Conference, as well as from outside the Conference, immediately went to work to start the process. Organized relief work typically takes a few days to get organized, and lasts for weeks, months or years. It’s usually much better organized to be able to sustain a response over that time span. But our people saw an immediate need and filled it. I was at a briefing at the Bradley County Emergency Management Agency, and the subject of the Alabama Road / Blair Road response was brought up by the Bradley County Fire Chief. That area was served by members of the Apison SDA Church, SAU students and a small local Baptist Church. He praised that response as a classic example of local people helping their neighbors, and recommended that Bradley County back them up with whatever they needed. The Conference Shower Trailer (which the Chief also mentioned) is presently there and is being used by local people who still don’t have water or electricity. The GA-Cumberland Conference membership provided the funds to build that unit following Hurricane Katrina, you may remember. That investment is now paying off! At the meeting of the Greater Collegedale Adventist Amateur Radio Club this evening, Pastor Don Gettys, Senior Pastor of the McDonald Road SDA Church, which has played a major part in this response, told us that every able-bodied member of his 1000 member church took part in one way or another in this effort. That’s the best example of Jesus in blue jeans that I know of! In the week since this tragedy happened, I have become extremely proud to be an Adventist! God’s blessings on every individual who has taken (and is still taking) part in helping our neighbors. Thank you for being the wonderful neighbors and example of God’s love that I have witnessed in a long time! #

JUNE 2011

THE APISON APPEAL

PAGE 7

Tornadoes Cause Death and Damage Here One Member Dies; Some Lose Houses, Others Suffer Damage

TOTALLED The remains of Lizzette Williams’ home.

hen a chain of tornadoes swept through the Tennessee Valley April 27, one church member died and others lost their homes or experienced property damage.

W

HOLLY YOUNG READUS, a member who had not attended services for many years, was killed when a tree fell on her home in Ringgold, GA. She was unknown to most of our members. Christopher Beason recalls that he had baptized her when he was a student pastor at Apison while attending SAU. Pastor Jeff Brown conducted the funeral. LIZETTE WILLIAMS and her children sought shelter when the storms approached. A tornado destroyed their home while they were absent. A friend lodging in their home remained in the house but was not injured. MAURICE ROBERT was at home when a tornado swept through Cherookee Valley near Ringgold. He took shelter in his bathtub. The rented apartment attached was blown away and the roof of his portion was also lifted away. His pickup truck was crushed under a fallen tree. He rejoices that he was not injured. THE RENTED MOBILE HOME occupied by Yvonne Huskey and her family was heavily damaged and they were not hurt. Story on page one.

The Human Interest Stories 1. Rick is a man that was renting our pastor’s house on Blair Road behind County Line Grocery Store on

Alabama Road in Apison. He and his wife had been out of town when they heard of the tornados in the area. They debated whether they should stop at their parent's home or drive the three hours back to their home. Just as he got home and put a cup of water in the microwave, the power went off and he got a call from a friend who said a tornado had been spotted. He shouted for his two teenagers to head for the basement. He was taking the last step into the basement holding onto the handrail when the tornado hit and the suction of the wind was pulling at him. Within seconds it was over and their home was in shambles. He said if they hadn't come back home their kids probably wouldn't have gone to the basement and could have been killed. The Browns were planning to move to that house in a few weeks. The house was totaled, said Pastor Jeff, and will be torn down. They plan to rebuild. More to the story Thursday afternoon, four of our Apison members felt they wanted to do something, so they made 100 sack lunches to hand out in that area. Rick was standing on the side of the hill with some friends when the lunches were delivered and he told this story. His son was holding his guitar and when questioned about the safety of the guitar he said that his whole 2nd story bedroom was lifted up and they found

it about 60' out in the woods with everything there unharmed. Before leaving we had a prayer of thanksgiving for protecting their lives. Rick said, "early this morning someone came by and brought us water, later in the day sightseers came by and took pictures but you folks are the only ones who have brought us food. “Some people say they are Christians but you folks are living like Christians. I might like to come to your church." Everyday Rick came by the food station that was set up in the parking lot of the former County Line Grocery Store where he visited and ate hot food. On the 10th day when things were being taken down and not many people were around to help lift some heavy items, John Holley prayed that God would send someone to help him and Rick showed up eager to help. Over those many days God allowed several occasions for Rick and John to have a conversation about spiritual things. Rick wanted someone to take a picture with him and John, his "buddy" and asked him to keep in touch. Please pray for Rick and his family. 2. As word spread about the County Line Food Station many volunteers came from Apison Church, the community and even as far away as Dalton to donate their time, money and hot food working hard from early in the morning to 7 pm every day. The first couple days the food was carried back Continued on Next Page >>>

PAGE 8

THE APISON APPEAL

Tornado Damage Continued from Page 7 and forth but when donations expanded to cases of water, ice chests to keep drinks cold, tables and chairs, tents, three grills, and generators it wasn't possible to carry it home to safety. Several were concerned about the safety from animals. John Holley said "This is God's problem and we have to trust that He will protect the supplies". About an hour later a young man walked up in a uniform and announced that he was a "Guardian Angel" and would be glad to stay over night to watch over the safety of the supplies. Thank you to Scott Springer for being our Guardian Angel and protecting God's supplies. 3. Apison Pike and Alabama Road were blocked to traffic and many couldn't get through to be able to eat. We couldn't get through to take food to them without a pass. One designated person drove over to the official site at the Apison Elementary School on E. Brainerd and after hearing what we were doing they gave us all the passes we wanted without restrictions. Once we had the passes we loaded up several trucks, a van and a golf cart with a trailer with hot food, cold drink and sandwiches to deliver to the disaster victims and workers along the way who were so grateful. It provided an opportunity to listen to each unique and painful story and offer a word of prayer. Families down the road offered their bathrooms, showers and refrigerators when needed. Others took off with their chain saws to help clear out some of the downed trees. 4. After providing the needed food, water and necessities for three days at County Line Grocery with hundreds of people receiving help every day, the owner of the store came up to John Holley hollering and ordered us off his property. John asked what the problem was and he just said he wanted us to leave. Stunned with

JUNE 2011

PIZZA BRIGADE Karen Glassford ordered $200 worth of pizza to take out to hungry residents and cleanup workers. Faith Laughlin paid for some of these instead of giving gifts to her graduating students.

this sudden reaction, a group decided to pray about it. Russ Jenson who had been there just a short time helping to direct traffic offered to go with John to again talk to the owner. He asked what we could change or do differently to make things better. We were on his side, helping people in his community through this tragedy. All of a sudden his heart softened and he said, "Ok, you can stay, I am just mad about Hamilton County parking their trucks on my property and not protecting my privacy from people driving by and taking pictures and gawking." We were so grateful and the next day he brought down and set up his camper with lawn chairs outside and invited us to rest and go inside to take a break. He also dug down to where the water line was from county line to provide water. He even stopped by to get some cold drinks on several occasions, smiling and thanking us for what we were doing. That was definitely a miracle. 5. There were over 115 people who tirelessly volunteered to help with food preparation, serving, set up, organize, take down over the 10 days at County Line Grocery in Apison. Some helped everyday all day for those 10 days and others helped as they could. The Pathfinder tent was welcomed when the rains came and provided a place for people to sit, talk, eat and fellowship. Some from the Apison SDA church have continued to check on families

during the week and provide help with cleaning their home, yard or cutting trees. Each Sabbath for the next several weeks folks will check on those families affected to assess their ongoing needs, take food and provide support. Some of you may have felt fatigued and wondered why you don't have your energy back. The Adventist Community Services Crisis Care Ministry had a webinar on Thursday May 12. The webinar, was conducted by Drs. Marty Feldbush and Steve Willsey, ACS Crisis Care Coordinators, focused on how to provide emotional and spiritual care for individuals in crisis as well as how disaster response volunteers can protect themselves or recover from compassion fatigue. Even though you may not be directly involved in disaster relief efforts in the South, you may find the webinar useful for your own outreach ministry and would find this information helpful. Anyone who is involved in a disaster or other critical incident can develop acute trauma and be helped by the services of a Crisis Care Provider. For Ga-Cumb report and pictures http://www.communityservices.org/ar ticle.php?id=185 A recording was made and is available upon request to Virginia Holley, [email protected] or 423.373.7867