From Todd Carey, pastor, Williamsburg, VA & Delmar, DE:

 

Greetings everyone,

 

Here is the latest update on the area cleanup following last weeks hurricane.  All the brethren have been contacted and are doing well despite all that has happened in the last six days.  We still have brethren without power, but almost all of them have - or are borrowing a generator.  A few utilize gas instead of depending entirely on electricity, so they are able to cook and have hot meals.  The stores here are still selling out of ice and water, but this should change as power is restored to the outlying areas.  To add insult to injury, a possible tornado went through parts of Richmond early yesterday morning and knocked out power to another 25,000 people! 

 

Power was restored to the Holiday Inn in Williamsburg which serves as our hall on holy days.  Although they have lights, their air conditioning unit is toast, so it may be slightly warm on Trumpets, but can't complain - at least we have a place to meet that's safe.  Parts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, & VA Beach still lie in a tangled mess with trees on top of cars, power lines, and houses.  A photo in our local paper showed a tree almost splitting an entire house in half.  The brethren have been looking after one another as those with power have been inviting members who do not into their homes for meals, some air conditioning, and a temporary place to stay.  People are invited over to utilize washers and dryers.  It has been a joy to watch God's children giving the gift of hospitality.

 

Many have asked about the plight of Mr. Charles Harris.  I went to see Mr. & Mrs. Harris on Sunday and anointed him for the slight burns he received to his face.  He is still a little jittery and asks for your continued prayers that he be able to have a peaceful nights sleep. A true blessing came his way as his insurance policy will MORE than cover the cost of rebuilding his home.  It will also pay for their temporary housing while the home is being built.  He wants to thank all of you for your prayers and cards sent to he and his wife.

 

On behalf of the Williamsburg & Delmar congregations, we wish to thank all of you for your prayers and phone calls during a most stressful time.  We ask for your continued prayers for those still without power not just in the church, but all those in the affected areas.

 

With Love,

Todd & Gloria Carey

 

9/26/2003

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From Todd Carey, pastor, Williamsburg, VA & Delmar, DE:

 

Just a brief note to let you know we are still here in Central Virginia.  By now you have seen the devastation on television, but to see it live as you watch trees topple over and lines a 1/2 mile long for ice and gasoline, you get a deeper respect for the power of nature.  Over 90 percent of the brethren have been contacted – only those without cell phones, or hardest hit areas have yet to be contacted.  We had one tree fall in front of our home, grazing our porch and knocking part of the railing free.  Few more feet to the left and it would have introduced itself to our living room.  God is good.

 

Brethren report numerous trees uprooted and near misses around their homes with slight structural damage, although everyone is still assessing their property.  Ninety-five percent of Richmond lost power, and there are still over 1 million people across the state without basic utilities.  Our power came on last night around 7:30pm, then cutoff again an hour later.  Right before bed power was restored, so we have been calling and attempting to call people much of Friday evening.

 

We did have one member lose his home to fire.  We would appreciate your prayers for Mr. Charles Harris.  Mr. Harris, who is in his 80's, watched the house he was born in go up in flames.  I was finally able to track him down late last evening and he reported to me that he got out with only his pajama top, bedroom slippers, & a pair of slacks that had just been tailored earlier in the week.  His wife sustained minor smoke inhalation, while Mr. Harris received slight burning to his eyebrows, forehead, and hair.  They were upstairs when the fire broke out and Mr. Harris became disoriented due to the billowing smoke.  He said "Brother Pastor, (as he calls me) I crawled to the steps, and simply slid down on my behind to safety!"  He thanks God that he still has his wife, and we in the Williamsburg congregation thank God, that Mr. Harris is still with us.  His main worry last night was that he had no clothes for the Sabbath.  You gotta love that.  If you would like to send a card to Mr. Harris, who is now at his granddaughter's home, you may send it to:

 

Charles & Rachel Harris

3 Savage Court

Churchland, VA 23703

 

I will be visiting Mr. Harris this weekend as he begins contacting his insurance agency.  All in all we are very blessed, and thank all of you for your prayers & continued prayers for all those affected by the worst storm to hit this area in a generation.

 

With Love,

Todd & Gloria Carey

 

9/23/2003

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