All of Little River Baptist Association was “Breaking the Ice” during the Ice Storm. We all experienced a tremendous weather event January 26, 2009. The ice storm of 2009 will be remembered by many in the following years. The weather prediction told all of us to prepare for a winter storm. Power outages blanketed our county and the entire state. The outages were the most power outages KY ever recorded. One newspaper reported 700,000 Kentuckians were without power. The weather had KY making national news, Good Morning America had a crew at Madisonville, KY (only 50 miles away) reporting the disaster that had occurred. Power off, water off, people were cold and hungry. I made it to the office on Thursday morning just to check on things, the power at the office had come on and “Breaking the Ice” started.
Debbie and I opened the Baptist Center and when people saw my car the flurry of activity began. Ms Shari and Barry Littlejohn came later in the morning and everyone was busy trying to help meet needs. During the morning and rest of the day our telephone service was on and off as was the power, but we continued working. Many people have asked “how we were able to mobilize so quickly?” I responded, “Our Lord has given us some very intelligent people of vision for meeting the needs of hurting people in times like these.” Disaster Relief teams have worked hard to get help to people in crisis. How did it happen? This is my account of how it unfolded.
Bro. Kevin (Pastor of Cadiz Baptist) and Monique Roberts came in the Little River Baptist Association Office with Ron Brown (Trigg County Red Cross Chairman) and wanted to activate the Disaster Relief. I had Ms Shari to contact the KBC in Louisville, and they were closed because of no electricity or telephone. Ms Shari with her resourcefulness found Coy Webb’s cellular telephone number and I called, no answer but I left a message. I emailed Larry Baker (KBC New Work Mission Director) at home. I knew if we could get through we would be able to have KBC as well as the North American Mission Board support. These two agencies of our churches would be able to activate our Disaster Relief network volunteers with the request of the Red Cross. We had Ron trying to get through to The State Red Cross, but communication was difficult. Monique Roberts had been in contact with her mother and brother in Missouri, her family is part of the Disaster Relief in Missouri and the D.R. was ready and standing by for instructions. I knew if we could have the KBC approval some help with funds as well as volunteers from other states that were not affected could possible come to our aid. Christian County Baptist has a shower trailer I called Bro Bob Melton. Their trailer was destroyed in a storm out west last fall. Coy Webb returned my call, Praise the Lord. Even though he too was without power his cellular telephone was working. I told him our request and put Ron Brown on the telephone he made the official request, the permission was granted. The Kitchen Unit from Western Kentucky (known as Region One Feeding Unit) housed at Blood River Association in Hardin would be activated for Little River Association. Coy also said he would contact Wayne County Association and get us the Shower Unit. Robert Davis co-coordinate from Region One came and got to work.
The first shelters were at Rocky Ridge Baptist Church and Trigg County Baptist Church. I understand from Bro. Bobby McIntosh he opened the church because he and Ms Barbara did not have power and several people learned he was there and more came. Trigg County Baptist had their church open until the church lost power and the people in their shelter were all moved to Cadiz Baptist Annex Center.
Bro. Archie Brock was trying to help mobilize our Chain Saw D.R. team. He said, “Bro. Mike Bob Lester would help if we needed him. I called and ask Bob to be our D.R. coordinator. Bro. Kevin Roberts had already received permission from Cadiz Baptist Church Leadership to open the Annex center for emergencies. The Red Cross had already set up a shelter in the Annex Center. Bro. Bob Lester and my Debbie then started calling volunteers. Bro. Mike and Debbie Wimberley from Hurricane B.C. came with their son Jason; they worked with anything and everything. Bro. Larry and Amy King from Oak Grove came and did the same. Bro. Reed and Karen Shepherd worked with the Chain Saw crew and Kitchen team. Bro. Kevin and Monique Roberts worked in helping people in any way.
Bro. Bob Lester ask me to set different Pastors and Youth Pastors as Chaplin to assist the D. R. workers and people coming to receive aid. Ms Shari put out an email asking for ministers to sign up and serve. Those that served as Chaplains were Carl Heckman, John Hagan, Robert Papajeski, Jason Sticklin, Bill Stamps, Kevin Roberts, Mike Wimberley and myself.
Some of our Pastors worked very hard in assisting and aiding in ways that kept the work going. Bro. Lester Watson kept the fuel for the kitchen and shower trailer on line. Every day he would get the propane tanks filled and refilled. He also delivered food for Bright Life Farms 45 miles away. I give thanks for Pastors that worked hard in giving counsel. The Pastors presence was so assuring to many workers and others in the shelter.
Little River Baptist Association I give God Thanks for all of your hard work. On Sunday following the ice storm on Monday night I counted 11 different churches represented with members volunteering their time to work and show the Light of Jesus. I give our Lord thanks for allowing us the opportunity to serve and witness to others giving reason for our desire to serve people. In “Breaking the Ice” we broke the ice with the warm love of Jesus. “Breaking the Ice” we were in homes sharing Jesus that we could never be a part of before this storm. “Breaking the Ice” with love because of how Jesus loves us and the love given shows we care.
In the midst of the storm we see God's hand the clearest way.We at Rocky Ridge were
blessed to be able to minister to several families and individuals.The Church was open
to any that needed shelter.Some of our members donated food and our ladies plus Mary
Ezell from Canton B.C. took care of the cooking.Some of our members worked the
disaster relief kitchen while others served at the shower trailer.We all were affected in a
personal way.When we put everything aside and focused on what God wanted we found
peace and even joy as we laboured together for his kingdom.
THANKS TO ALL;
AIN`T GOD GOOD;
Bro. Bobby McIntosh
Pastor Rocky Ridge Baptist Church
