“We were told of how the Lord protected one particular community during the tornado. Almost 100 people from one mobile home community gathered at a church to pray when the tornado watch came out. While they were in prayer in the church, the tornado hit that community, leaving terrible damage to homes. But, lives were undoubtedly saved by the prayer meeting,” said Mark and Carol Martin, World Renew Regional Managers.

On January 22, 2017, a deadly EF3 tornado came through Dougherty County, Georgia causing considerable damage in the area immediately south of Albany. Less than three weeks earlier, a storm with straight line winds caused significant destruction in Albany also. That storm resulted in many downed trees and homes that sustained wind and tree damage.

“Between the two storms, over 14,000 persons were affected, with over 800 homes destroyed or damaged,” say the Martins.

Invited by the local recovery group, Albany Relief and Recovery, World Renew DRS volunteers arrived in Albany, Georgia over the weekend to conduct an unmet needs assessment from April 24 – May 5, 2017. World Renew’s goal is to meet with and interview as many disaster survivors as possible to make sure those who still need help recovering from the tornado and destructive winds do not fall through the cracks but are connected with appropriate assistance.

Who might fall through the cracks? Consider the 100 people who took shelter in the Methodist church mentioned above. The tornado tore through their trailer park, through their homes. Looking at the pictures below,  you can see that the homes will have had severe roof damage, perhaps a side of the home is collapsed, or even shifted from its foundation, yet families are still living there today.

Those who volunteer with World Renew truly feel called and equipped by God to serve those impacted by disasters. Will you join us?

Whether it be by donating donating $35 to North America Disasters 2017 to connect an Albany family with help to repair their home, or by volunteering someplace this year, your contribution to World Renew will bring the hope and love of Christ to those on the difficult road of putting their lives back together after these disasters.

 

*These photos were taken just a month before the unmet needs assessment. You can see the incredible damage that still remains.