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Dear Church Leaders and Members...
Hurricane Gustav Nears Gulf Coast - ". . . for such a time as this. . ." Esther 4:14
 As Hurricane Gustav is about to hit the Gulf Coast of the United States, I am reminded of Mordecai's impassioned plea for Esther to stand up for her people who were about to perish, "[a]nd who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Three years ago, almost to this day, HOPE worldwide and the International Churches of Christ family partnered to meet the needs of brothers and sisters and their families in the Gulf Coast Region who had just experienced the tragic consequences of deadly flooding after Hurricane Katrina. Operation Safe Place turned into a permanent presence in the Gulf Coast by HOPE worldwide that has received the support and recognition of Mayors, Governors and Congressmen. Our July 4th Day of Service in the Lower 9th Ward during this year's campus ministry conference brought renewed attention to the needs of New Orleans. The residents of the Gulf Coast have begun to rely on HOPE worldwide to literally "bring them hope and change their lives" for the good.
 Sadly, our staff in New Orleans is among the 2,000,000 residents who have evacuated the area. But, there is still a powerful way that HOPE worldwide and our churches can serve and the time is NOW. In light of our experience in the region, HOPE worldwide has been asked by the American Red Cross (see request from American Red Cross attached below) to provide up to 2,000 volunteers to staff six relocation sites across the perimeter of the Gulf Coast Region. These locations are Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, Shreveport, LA, Alexandria, LA, Hattiesburg, MS and Montgomery, AL.
As an Elder, I would like to especially thank fellow church leaders, Todd Asaad and Bill Hooper from the DFW Church of Christ and Mike Taliaferro of the Mission Point Christian Church for serving as first responders and Disciples Today and ICOCHotNews.com for publicizing our need so effectively to our fellowship. However, other churches are needed to step up with volunteers and much needed disaster relief funds. In some cases, HOPE worldwide volunteers are needed as team leaders to guide volunteer efforts. HOPE worldwide has already opened its disaster relief fund to receive donations and has the mechanisms already in place to deploy them. We just received word yesterday that Exxon has agreed to purchase t-shirts for our volunteers.
Our volunteers in Texas are already on the ground, but more help is urgently needed. Churches who can organize volunteer teams are urged to contact me at by phone or email (see contact info below) and individual volunteers are urged to register on our website at www.hopeww.org or phone Jenni Clemens at (610) 254-8800 Ext. 4071. Additional information on next steps will be quickly provided.
Esther's recognition of God's calling "for such a time as this" resulted in swift action that saved her people. In a similar way, I am asking that you respond as possible with an indication of your interest in helping.
God bless,
Randy Jordan, CEO
HOPE worldwide, ltd.
353 West Lancaster Avenue, Suite 200
Wayne, PA 19087
Tel. (610) 254-8800 x 4300
randy_jordan@hopeww.org
Please keep the citizens of the Gulf Coast in your prayers.
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