First, tornadoes. Now, the flood.

Let me encourage you to read the Sun Herald article on the flooding expected in the Mississippi Delta (click here for the article). My heart goes out to those folks who are evacuating and have to endure the long process of watching the water rise, soak their homes for days and weeks only to face the nasty, nasty job of clean-up. Just as the tornado victims need our help now, the flooding victims will need us in the days to come.  We need to be preparing to help NOW so when the waters recede we are ready to respond.

On Thursday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Baptist Association Training Center, our association will offer mud out training to those interested in helping flood victimes reclaim their homes.  Mud out of flooded homes is one of the more demanding and possibly one of the most dangerous disaster relief jobs. Because of the Mississippi heat, mold will become an immediate problem requiring special clothing and treatment.  Because of the same heat, exhaustion during clean up becomes a factor.  What do you do about snakes and other creatures left behind by the receding waters? Harmful bacteria is rampant.  It is best to known how to deal with these situations and mud out training will provide that information.

This training is not only available to members of Southern Baptist churches but also to anyone interested in learning how to minister through mud out.  We do ask that if you are interested in learning these processes, please call the GCBA office at 228-832-4311 to register.  This will help insure that we have adequate space for the training event.

All Gulf Coast Baptist Association trained mud out team members are encouraged to attend as a refresher.  This call out will be along the same lines as the Iowa flooding of 2008.