Photo submitted by the Presbytery of South Louisiana

When word got out in the community of Armenia, New York, that the United Presbyterian Church was planning on sending a mission work team to the Gulf, interest was quickly generated beyond the church. The team was composed of members from several area churches. What really excited everyone were the three professional roofers who heard about the trip and asked to come along! None of them were connected to a Presbyterian Church. “The roofers really made a difference in our team bringing an expertise that was really needed in the Gulf,” said Althea Mead.

What Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is learning as we talk with teams is that there are a number of skilled craftsman who really would like to help in the Gulf. Many of them lack the connections needed to make a trip worthwhile. They have nowhere to stay and do not know who to hook up with to offer their services. We continue to encourage teams to get the word out in their local communities that a trip is planned. Invite members of the broader community to come. It is a great opportunity for friendship evangelism, offering the experience of being with a faith community in mission service.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has posters with space for you to put your trip information. They can be put in strategic locations in your neighborhood with contact information. We also urge the use of public service announcements on local radio or a press release for the local paper.

DVD available — Hurricane Katrina Two Years Later: Connecting People and Rebuilding Lives

Information about work teams at the Presbyterian Volunteer Villages