TBM volunteers respond to Minnesota floods

Posted: 9/04/07

TBM volunteers respond to Minnesota floods

WINONA, Minn.—Texas Baptist Men volunteers are in Minnesota helping with clean-out efforts following severe flooding—and more are on the way, according to Ernie Rice of First Baptist Church in Stockdale.

Eight Texans were on the ground in Winona Sept. 4 by early afternoon, and six more were scheduled to arrive later in the day, said Rice, the coordinator for the TBM disaster relief effort. Thirty-five Texans were expected by the end of the week.

The Texans and volunteers from 10 other state Baptist convention were called out by the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board Sept. 1. The Texans were led by Gambrell Association, and Second Baptist Church of LaGrange cleanout units responded.

Southeastern Minnesota was flooded Aug. 18-19, with 15 inches of rain following in four hours in Winona, Rice said. The area has been declared a federal disaster area.

About 1,500 homes in Winona were affected, and 240 have requested help with the cleanup, he said. As of Tuesday afternoon, about half of the homes had been cleaned.

“These homes have full basements,” Rice said. The volunteers have to remove the wet stuff, then pressure wash and sanitize the house before homeowners can let the house dry and begin repairs.

“This is my favorite ministry because you have such close relationship” with the victims, Rice said. “You have time to minister and to give the hope of God to them.”

Winona “doesn’t have much Baptist work going on in it,” he noted.

The Texas volunteers expect to be in Minnesota 10 days, plus two days of travel at the beginning and end.