Del Rio Church Responds to Tornado Disaster in Mexico

After an F4 tornado struck Acuna, Mexico on Monday, May 25, First Baptist Church Del Rio responded by becoming a collection point for any churches willing to donate volunteers and resources for disaster recovery.

By partnering with a neighbor church, Templo Bautista Bethel, FBC Del Rio is sending long-term help and ministering to those affected by the tornado that killed 13 and injured over 200 residents of Acuna. Teams of volunteers from FBC Del Rio were sent to feed both the disaster recovery workers and the affected families.

Following the crucial support given by the volunteers of FBC Del Rio, Pastor Larry Floyd and his group saw the opportunity to reach out spiritually to the people in Acuna.

"The best part of the day was after all the feeding and handing out of supplies," Floyd said. "We set up a canopy, table, and chairs to attract the children in a colorful gathering … Olympia, started to present the gospel to this young group of kids. They were attentive and afterwards were given a New Testament and invited back on Monday to continue the conversation."

Because of tight restrictions on border control, Floyd has issued an official list of items, which can be donated to FBC Del Rio that will be sent to Acuna to aid in disaster recovery.

Needed items:

• Bleach
• Lysol or Pine sol
• Gloves
• Shovels
• Bow Rake (garden type, not leaf)
• Brooms & dustpans
• Mops
• Buckets (any size)
• Rope for clotheslines
• Clothes pins
• Plastic Tarps
• First Aid Kits
• Paper goods (plates, napkins, forks, spoons, knives)
• Trash Bags
• Toiletries (sanitary napkins, toilet paper)
• Disposable Toothbrushes
• Diapers (children & adults)
• Water (any size plastic bottles)
• Beans (dry in plastic bags only or canned)
• Rice (dry in plastic bags only or canned)
• Vegetables (canned)
• Milk (canned only, needs no refrigeration)
• Baby Formula (canned ready to use only)

No powdered items, such as flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, etc. will be allowed.

You can send any donations to 301 Ave G., Del Rio, Texas, 78840. You can also send monetary contributions to the same address, or via paypal on their church website www.fbcdelrio.com. To read a report from Larry Floyd, pastor of FBC Del Rio, and their trip, click here.

Olivia Williams, a journalism student from Baylor, is currently serving as a joint Communications Intern for both the Baptist Standard and the Texas Baptists.