Hurricane Harvey Crisis Response Trip

THE CRISIS RESPONSE TRIP IS NO LONGER TAKING ADDITIONAL SIGN UPS

What we will be doing: gutting houses, general cleanup, prayer walking, painting, Drywall, praying with people, & anything else that’s needed.

What are the requirements for the team members? A desire to be the hands and feet of God to a hurting community. A volunteer would do best if they are in decent health. For those who can’t physically commit, we need people to talk to and pray with those who were impacted. A hug is 1000 times better than picking up a hammer.

Cost: $275 plus airfare – which is about $350pp, it could be less. Please do not let money keep you from coming on this trip, if you have a financial need, please let me know.

Bring: Clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty, clothes to wear after the workday, air mattress (single width only please), sleeping bag or blanket, sleepwear, toiletries, spending money for lunches/snacks/dinner on Friday, sleeping bag or sheet/blanket, pillow.

The information on this page is only for people already signed up. If you however have questions about the trip or would like to help in another way, reach out to Eric Couch at ecouch@graceefc.net.

FAQ About the Trip

Q. Where would you stay?
A. Volunteers are staying in Corpus Christi at Bayshore Church, in the church buildings. The address of the church is 2145 Rod Field Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78414.

Q. Are there showers?
A. There is a shower trailer for volunteers to use. If for some reason the showers are unavailable, the local YMCA is available for our use.

Q. What would you be doing?
A. We are still gutting, but once things dry out, the teams begin dry-walling and painting.

Q. Where will you work?
A. More than likely in towns close to Corpus Christi. There is work to be done in many of the areas in and near Corpus Christi: Port Aransas, Rockport and Port Lavaca are a few of the locations we are serving. In some of the towns, there was 100% damage due to the wind, rain, and flooding.

Q. How are meals arranged?
A. We provide breakfast Monday through Friday, and dinner Monday through Thursday. Teams provide their own lunches, snacks and for any meals not mentioned.

Q. Would you need to bring your own tools or are there tools for our use onsite?
A. Either way is fine. We have the tools that are needed for the jobs, but if your team wants to bring tools, that works as well.

Q. How many people could be in each team?
A. We can easily accommodate 3 to 30 volunteers. If your team size is larger, we can probably work it out, but it will depend on the size of your team. We must coordinate the numbers with other teams who might be serving that same week; however, when you send in your application you are given the opportunity to list your preferred week and an alternative week. Prayerfully we will be able to accommodate one of your choices.

Q. What age limits apply?
A. If children are under 14, we like a parent to be on the team as we cannot provide the level of supervision children need. We have had volunteers who are close to 90 serve.

Q. What would be the cost?
A. We ask volunteers to invest $275 for a week mission trip (arrive on Sunday late afternoon/leave on Saturday morning).

Q. What would each volunteer need to bring?
A. Clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty, clothes to wear after the workday, air mattress (single width only please), sleeping bag or blanket, sleepwear, toiletries, spending money for lunches/snacks/dinner on Friday, sleeping bag or sheet/blanket, pillow.

Q. How long would it take to organize teams and get them down there?
A. Teams have pulled things together in a week, but in most cases, teams usually take about two months to get paperwork and plans together.

Q. Are there stores close by to purchase our food items that we provide?
A. Yes, stores are within a 10-minute drive from Bayshore Church.

Q. Can you accommodate a volunteer with food allergies?
A. Unfortunately, we unable to accommodate special diets, nor can we guaranty an allergy free environment; however, many volunteers who have food allergies bring their own food to ensure they have no issues.

Q. What are the other requirements for the team members?
A. A desire to be the hands and feet of God to a hurting community. A volunteer would do best if they are in decent health. For those who can’t physically commit, we need people to talk to and pray with those who were impacted. A hug is 1000 times better than picking up a hammer.

Q. What are the particularly needed skills right now?
A. Prayer walking, talking to people that you meet, gutting, dry-walling, mudding, painting. We have our construction supervisors who will show volunteers how to complete certain tasks. We also have staff who will train your team on prayer walking.

Q. Can I fly there?
A. Many airline companies offer flights from selected cities. Some of your options are: Southwest, Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines.

Q. Are there any vehicles that we can borrow while there?
A. No. We have no ministry vehicles available, so please plan on bringing or renting vehicles for your team to possibly work at multiple worksites. For example, if you are a team of 24, you could possibly be working at 3 or 4 sites.