Another mark of progress...

Thursday is my normal day off in the real world...but not in the world of a church in crisis. I was around the church for about 5 hours today still checking and directing things on all fronts. There is still so much to do, but...for a moment let's look at the mile-markers of progress, OK:

1. The Flood of 6-07-08 is now 12 days behind us...you gotta look on the bright side.
2. Our three buildings have been cleared of all flood damaged debris and destroyed items.
3. Somewhere around 10 large 30 yard dumpsters have been taken to the dump; plus, many loads that the State took away when they came down our street (should be only one more to clear up outside tomorrow).
   
4. Our electrician cleaned and set all the A/C electrical junction boxes that were under water and received clearance for one more huge breaker to be turned on. WE GOT AIR CONDITIONING IN THE NEW BUILDING!! This alone is a gigantic accomplishment.
5. We received more donations for the Flood Fund, both from our website online giving feature and the U.S. mail. These gifts are answers to our prayers. Please let me be bold enough to ask you (if you haven't already) to contribute to the tremendous need here at Columbus First Assembly: www.columbusfirstassembly.org
6. We have finalized arrangements in bringing a seasoned couple who have been trained in Disaster Relief by working in areas that have been affected by Katrina the last several years. Monty and Susan Scales will be joining us here @ CFA and serving as my right hand organizers in arranging church work teams, handling the many calls for help, coordinating efforts with other relief agencies, and building a valuable network of generous givers to help with the efforts, both here @ CFA and our wounded community! You can read from their blog @ http://www.msmission.blogspot.com
7. Welcome to the team Monty and Susan. I love your hearts and your spirit. Plus, you will love the people of CFA! God has orchestrated the whole thing from His Master Plan!
   
8. Pastor Joel and David Tayes were our carriers of scrap metal to the local recyclers. They brought 4 worn out (30+ years old) furnaces, ceiling light fixtures, wire, old metal cabinets and some duct work and received about $168 for our Flood Fund. Great job guys!!
9. Hundreds of people have received valuable relief supplies both from our parking lot, and now from the remaining supplies that are located in our church sanctuary. I would love to see God appoint someone to carry on this ministry way beyond the days of remembering the Flood of '08. To those here @ CFA: Is God tapping on your shoulder?
10. The synergy of faith, hope and love that this tragedy has created in our local fellowship, plus with churches, pastors, businessmen, city leaders and people all across this great community!! Totally awesome.

There are many challenges that remain in this uphill battle to regain our ministry center facilities and utilize them to their fullest potential. We have many options...but we want God's one main DESIGN at this juncture in the life and history of CFA. Your prayers are still needed in the journey of faith that we are taking in June of 2008.

I was also able to spend some quality time with my family today as well. We all went to a restaurant that we had never been to before...great food! Later, Tammy and I went out and shopped for our Mother's & Father's Day combination gift together. We promised each other that this one needed item would be our gift that we would spend on each other. I love my wife!

Tomorrow should be another great day of possibilities and open opportunities! Sunday is just around the corner...we'll meet for our 2nd Sunday in the satellite location.

I've posted more pictures for you to see the widespread devastation that the FLOOD OF '08 caused in my community.

God is doing a new thing. It isn't like anything I've ever witnessed before. In fact, it's beyond my wildest imagination! As a church we pledge to be faithful stewards of the open door and open moments of divine opportunity that has been given to us.

All for the glory of God!

Be blessed.