Iowa Windstorm Relief Efforts

Personal Stories from Iowa

Jerry

Jerry had a tree branch resting on his roof where it was still attached to the tree.  IDES’ Volunteers were able to carefully cut the branch and get it off his roof with no damage.  IDES’ Assistant Disaster Coordinator, Cody, chatted with Jerry as they were working to get the branch off.  

Once the tree had been removed, IDES’ Disaster Coordinator, Mason, was able to speak with Jerry to let him know his roof wouldn’t suffer any more damage.  Jerry let Mason know that he needed an attitude adjustment. When asked what he meant he explained he had been in and out of churches for a long time. Because of the help he received from IDES and Antioch Christian Church it gave him hope in seeking community in Christ again.  Jerry seemed like the guy who had trust issues and a bit of a loner so it was really encouraging to be able to bless him.

Robert and Kim

Robert and Kim were among those who reached out to Antioch Christian Church for help. They had several pine trees from their neighbor’s yard fall into theirs.  It would be a big task for just 2 people.

When IDES volunteers arrived at the house, got to their house Kim told them that the night before their adult son had come and tried to burn the house down, he suffers from mental illness.  That and the debris to be cleared left Robert and Kim very drained that morning.  This also resulted in Robert having a severely strained back.

After hearing this, IDES’ Staff and Volunteers immediately stopped what they were doing and prayed over them (led by volunteer Jon Gillespie).  They were able to cut up all the trees for them and take them to the road.  With everything else going on in Robert and Kim’s life, having those trees removed from their yard was a huge blessing.

Dixie

Dixie is a widow of 8 years and is in her 60’s.  She owns a house with 3-5 acres of land and she had many trees down.  She had only her and her son to do the work of getting all the trees cleaned up.  Some of the trees needed to be dropped which presented a read hazard to her and her son.  IDES was able to drop several of the trees, get them divided into brush piles, and take the giant trunks to the road for her.

Dixie had been out of power for 4 days and saw the task she had ahead of her.  She estimated it would take her 2 years to steadily get everything cleaned up and back to normal on her own. Dixie was incredibly blessed to have IDES there to help her and continued to show her appreciation over the next 2 days IDES was there.

August 20, 2020

Our Disaster Coordinators and volunteers are hard at work in Iowa, removing trees and storm debris from houses. They have also had the privilege of witnessing to several of the homeowners.

So far, we have been able to remove trees and debris from 10 different houses, and are continuing to find families to serve. We are so grateful for the work of our volunteers and pray for God’s love will continue being shown through them.

If you would like to volunteer with these relief efforts we still have volunteer slots available for week 3! Click the link below to learn more!

If you are looking for another way to assist with these efforts, consider donating to IDES using the designation “Iowa”.

August 16, 2020

IDES is looking for able bodied volunteers who are willing to go to the Cedar Rapids area of Iowa to help with debris clean up and tree removal. We are also looking for groups of roofers and electricians to be there the second and third weeks. Click the link below to sign-up!

Thank you so much for your willingness to give back and serve others. If you have any questions email volunteer@ides.com.

August 15, 2020

IDES Disaster Coordinators are on their way to Iowa to help those affected by this past week’s storms. Please keep them and those they will be helping in your prayers as they travel and begin the cleanup efforts.

If you are interested in volunteering with these relief efforts keep an eye out for the sign-up link!