For the past several years, Joyce Meyer Ministries has had the privilege of partnering with Service International (SI), a disaster relief organization based in Chesterfield, Missouri.
Founded in 1985, SI regularly reaches out to devastated communities, providing leadership training, volunteer coordination, materials, supplies, and hands-on rebuilding.
Our involvement with SI started in 2004 and greatly increased the following year after Hurricane Katrina decimated southern portions of the U.S. and left hundreds of thousands homeless and in serious need of help. In the months and years that followed, our partnership has helped to repair or rebuild more than 450 homes along the Gulf Coast. In all, we have donated more than $3 million to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts alone.
And it hasn’t stopped there. Together, through the support of our friends and partners, we have joined with SI to bring critical help and the love of God to so many recovering from natural disasters all across the United States.
California Wildfires
Brad and Karen had lived in Green Valley Lake for years. But when wildfires broke out in California in late October, they were naturally concerned. By November 9, the fires had been contained, but only after completely destroying more than 1,500 homes. Brad and Karen’s was one of them.
In 2007, Joyce Meyer Ministries teamed with SI to bring critical relief to families like theirs. Our rapid-relief trailers arrived on the scene in the mountains of San Bernardino and immediately went to work. For Brad and Karen, who were still tired and grieving, this meant the world.
“They were with us for a couple of months,” says Karen. “They would work long hours, starting at sunup, and the women would make everyone lunch, including my husband and son. They really went above and beyond.”
From providing vital necessities like food, water and blankets…to cleaning up and hauling away massive amounts of debris…to offering comfort and spiritual support, our teams were able to reach out to Brad and Karen and so many other families trying to recover from the devastating wildfires.
“It really helped us to heal at the time we were grieving and when you feel like you’ve lost everything,” Karen says. “Knowing there are people out there that care about you really renews your faith. It helped us heal and move forward.”
Enduring the Flood
It rained for nearly 36 hours straight.
With 1993’s “Flood of the Century” still fresh in their minds, Lonnie Lewis helped pack up his mom, Gladys, as they watched the Meramec River continue to rise. Gladys would go to live with her son. But the question was, what would they find when they came back?
Over the course of a couple days in 2008, a foot of rain drenched the U.S. Midwest, causing rivers from Texas to Ohio to swell and leaving hundreds of homes and businesses underwater. Many parts of Missouri were hit especially hard…including Gladys’ hometown of Pacific.
When Gladys and Lonnie returned, they discovered a flooded basement and 18 inches of standing water on the main floor. They knew immediately the house would need to be completely gutted. But what they didn’t know was they were not alone and help was on the way.
The first day, more than 200 volunteers with SI showed up to help remove flooring, rip out drywall and cabinetry, clean up debris and prepare for reconstruction. Eighteen different locations were immediately impacted…including the home of Gladys.
“It seems like they’ve become a part of our family,” says Lonnie. “That’s what Service International is. They come into your community and say, ‘Let me be your brother for a couple of days…let me be your friend and help you get through this.’”
After the first 2 weeks alone, the teams had donated more than 6,850 working hours, affecting over 90 homes and businesses. In addition, they also offer to pray for each family and their home. It’s about so much more than lifting a hammer and nails…our love and relief efforts lift people’s spirits and show them that actions truly do speak louder than words.
Bringing Hope and Showing God’s Love
That’s what it’s all about—bringing hope to people in need and showing them the love of Christ in all that we do. Since 2005, our partnership with SI has enabled us to not only reach those on the Gulf Coast or in towns like Green Valley Lake and Pacific, but it has also allowed us to be on the scene of several major occurrences across the United States.
For instance, when a tornado ripped through Greensburg, Kansas, in 2007, SI’s teams immediately showed up with Bobcats, chainsaws, and other equipment to help remove debris and assist the families who were affected.
In addition, our involvement with SI has enabled us to help the poor and needy through a special dental clinic in Kosovo. The clinic treats more than 100 patients a month—people who normally could not afford to go to a dentist—and it is changing the quality of life for thousands of families in this nation.
Friends and partners, please know that you are making all of this possible. You have allowed us to be ready at a moment’s notice to provide lifesaving physical and spiritual help during times of crisis, reaching out to those who need it the most, when they need it the most.