Mennonite and Amish repair 35 homes
Imagine losing all you have to a tornado and seeing your home devastated by the storm. Now picture not being able to repair your house and remaining displaced. Teams of Mennonite and Amish volunteers are working with the Texas Annual Conference to erase the damage done by the disaster – and help finally make it possible to go back home in Houston. The next step was finding skilled teams up to the task. Hubert already had a long-standing relationship with the Mennonite and Amish communities. Before long, the calendar of help requests was full.
The majority of the 35 homes suffered major damage. “One in particular had to be gutted down to the studs,” Hubert said. “Volunteers replaced the roof, the siding and sheetrock – and totally rebuilt the kitchen and bathroom, so two handicapped elderly ladies who live there can spend the rest of their years in dignity. If we had to pay someone to do it, it would have been well over $120,000.” “They came in and picked up the ball,” he said. “This is what it takes to help people. You can’t quit. You just keep going.” Hubert explained that Mennonites share a conviction to help others, to learn and share the Word. “They have no other priority but to be a loving community, sharing with one another and those in need,” he said. “They truly are known for their service.” The teams of volunteers are a reminder of being a witness through service, of the importance of doing God’s work and helping those in need, Hubert explained. On the schedule is a team from Westlake UMC in Austin, Texas, and two teams from among the Mennonites in Missouri and Iowa.
Hubert said that more help is needed, especially church teams with the ability to do skilled labor, and can stay for several days. Funding is also needed to support the hosting of the crews. The storm also hit Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt said in an email that a second person died south of the city limits. There was “significant damage” in the area, Pruitt said. One of the most significant ongoing challenges is the widespread power outage affecting many residents,” he wrote. National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph touched down in the Runaway Bay area. The slow-moving supercell traveled through the area around 10 p.m. Saturday.
Amish Humor
Why is it hard for the Amish to travel?
Their transit system is a little buggy.
How can you tell if someone Amish is an alcoholic?
They keep falling off the wagon.
What’s the difference between regular Gatorade and Amish Gatorade?
Amish Gatorade has no electro-lights.
Why can’t you drive a Tesla through Amish country?
No Outlets.
April 28th Birthdays
1974 – Penelope Cruz, 1981- Jessica Alba, 1960 – Elena Kagan, 1986 – Jenna Ushkowitz
1950 – Jay Leno, 1982 – Harry Shum, Jr. 1989 – Juan Mata, 1908 – Oskar Schindler