TBM response to North Texas storms results in 7 professions of faith

By Rand Jenkins, TBM

DALLAS, TX--Sunday, June 9 began TBM’s Disaster Relief efforts in the Dallas area after strong storms caused thousands of trees to fall on homes, property and across power lines disrupting electricity for hundreds of thousands of people.

As that relief work continued, another system hit the same area Sunday, June 16, spawning three tornadoes and greatly increasing the work ahead of the TBM Volunteers in Chainsaw, Feeding, and Shower/Laundry teams.

Month-long deployment possible

Volunteers could be facing a month-long deployment in the area due to the number of families who still need assistance. There are currently four Chainsaw teams housed in the Dallas headquarters, one team working out of their homes in Collin County, and two more on their way from Central and East Texas.

Working through this many projects requires a lot of volunteers and a significant amount of funds. While volunteers aren’t paid, there are expenses such as food, fuel and equipment that make their relief work possible.

The number of tasks also necessitates a priority system based on the severity of the damage. Priorities in chainsaw disaster relief situations range from imminent damage situations to yard clean-up of debris and fallen trees that do not pose imminent damage to life or property.

Relief work a “God-send”

One of TBM’s priority projects involved a tree that had fallen across a woman’s front door making entry and exit almost impossible.

“I’m so grateful for what you all were able to do,” she said as the volunteers finished. “I’m going to have a great story to tell my Sunday School class next week.”

During the prayer time and through tears the woman further expressed her gratitude to the men and women who worked on her home in Dallas saying, “You are truly a God-send. Thank God and thank you.”

Multiple relief efforts underway

Dwain Carter, TBM State Disaster Relief Director, said the amount of work in the area has required TBM to ask other states for assistance.

“The problem is that with so many other relief efforts underway due to flooding in Oklahoma and Arkansas, we just don’t have the people and equipment to respond the way we want to,” Carter said.

Between Sunday, June 9 and Sunday, June 16, TBM Disaster Relief provided the following:

• 1,886 volunteer hours
• 135 ministry contacts resulting in seven professions of faith
• 47 Bibles distributed
• 100 heavy equipment hours
• 38 chainsaw jobs

“We need your support right now. If you are TBM Chainsaw trained, please contact us,” Carter added.

If you are able to financially support this effort, please visit tbmtx.org/donate, call 214.275.1100, or mail a check to TBM, 5351 Catron Dr. Dallas, TX 75227.

“We need you to help impact people’s lives,” said Carter.