2004 Hurricane Season : Hurricane Charley Stories and Comments

 
Update: September 1, 2004

South Orlando Spanish Church: Member Overlooks Personal Loss for Opportunity to Witness

Ismael Larrondo, South Orlando Spanish Church personal ministries director, came to the Florida Conference office, August 25, looking for information about Spanish television programming on satellite. Ismael explained, "Our church is located near the Florida Mall in the center of a densely populated Hispanic community. Since we began staying in the church, we've welcomed people every day who simply wanted to pray. The thought struck me that it's time for us to open our church doors every night and if Adventist television programming is available in Spanish, we need to be showing it.'" He was given a brochure describing the Adventist Television Network's Hope Channel and Esperanza TV, which airs 3ABN Latino TV, 24 hours a day.

Ismael was asked what he meant by his comment of "staying in the church." Soon it was learned that a large tree came down on the family's small rented home during Hurricane Charley. Gaping holes in the roof caused water to pour in and ruin most of their personal belongings. Ismael; his wife, Veronica; daughter, Paulina; sons, Felipe and Simon; and a nine-month-old baby in their care, were spared. After finding shelter for the night at the local high school, the Larrondos returned to their place Sabbath morning only to realize they were homeless. That afternoon, Pastor Byron Rivera invited them to stay in the South Orlando Spanish Church until they could find housing. Fortunately, the congregation's meeting place is a house on the property where, someday, they plan to build a new sanctuary. This place of refuge gave the Larrondos a kitchen in which to cook and bedroom space for sleeping quarters among props in the children's Sabbath school divisions.

Meanwhile, Ismael has returned to work as he continues looking for family housing. He has discovered that even in the aftermath of total devastation, apartment managers are generally unable to wave deposits or overlook policies that require unavailable amounts of money to move in. One day, with spirits low, he tuned his radio to a pastor talking about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Overwhelmed, they had all but lost hope of ever seeing Him again. "Then, Jesus came and walked beside them in their darkest hour," Ismael shared. "At that moment, my spirits were lifted as I was reminded that in our worst hour, when we've nearly given up hope, Jesus is there to take care of us."

Update: August 31, 2004

Port Charlotte Church: Members Focus on Blessings and Praying for Others

It's been less than two weeks since Hurricane Charley and here we are, which is not in our own home. We signed a nine-month lease on a house while we wait for ours to be rebuilt. We are somewhere on a contractor's list of more than 300 houses to repair. Our roof, most of the walls, ceilings, and carpet must be replaced. In spite of the challenges, this experience has brought many unexpected blessings to our family, and that's what we're trying to focus on. Without Good Samaritans, we would not be in the good shape we are in now. All of you are true angels! Our little neighborhood is a mess, however, we'll continue praying for two households each morning and everyone in the neighborhood once every week. Neighbors who receive this message—even though we aren't there—you'll still have your "assigned day" for prayer from our family. With grateful hearts:
—Ed, Laura, Chelsea, and Aubri Dancek

Update: August 26, 2004

Florida Hospital Church: Faithful Few Attend Farewell Potluck

Members who braved downed wires and trees on Sabbath morning, August 14, arrived at the church to find there was no electricity. Twenty went home and returned in work clothes to assist people in the neighborhood or to check on senior citizens. Stan Dobias, associate pastor, donned blue jeans and helped until noon when he was joined in the church fellowship hall by wife Melissa and 75 members for the couple's farewell potluck. They left the next day for Columbia Union College in Silver Spring, Maryland, where Stan reported for work as new campus chaplain.

Forest Lake Church: Sleepless In Orlando

Members were grateful to find the electricity on when they arrived at church Sabbath morning to welcome their new pastor, Derek Morris and wife, Bodil. The couple arrived from California on Thursday, August 12, and checked into a motel. On Friday night, Hurricane Charley blew the air conditioner out of the wall and into their room amidst torrents of rain. The front desk clerk led them by flashlight to another room where they survived a mostly sleepless night. The next morning, a handful of people came to hear their new preacher at the early service; a moderate group arrived in time for the second service; and by the third service the sanctuary was nearly filled. Ken Burrill, Florida Conference vice president for adminstration/ministerial, introduced the Morris' at all three sanctuary services and at "Deeper," the young adult service in the upper youth center. Someone suggested a headline in the morning newspaper could have read, "New Adventist Pastor Takes Orlando by Storm."

Fort Myers Church: Pastor Thanked For Prayer

Pastor George Whitsett delivered the invocation at the Fort Myers City Council Meeting on Monday evening, August 16, following the hurricane. The mayor referred to the pastor's prayer several times in his televised comments. All branches of city government were represented at the meeting to give reports of the storm affects. Six days later, the mayor called Pastor Whitsett to thank him again for his prayer and encouragement saying, "it personally meant a lot to me."

Port Charlotte Church: Members' Homes Devastated

A member reported, "Electricity was restored in Punta Gorda today [August 24]. No damage to my home's structure; just a lot of fallen trees and my pool area is a disaster. Lots of devastation to members' homes. It's really bad! Spent 4.5 hours today picking up shingles. Oh, my aching back! Grateful to be okay."

Mt. Dora Church: Pastor Interviewed on Adventist News Network

Pastor David Canther was interviewed for an August 20 Adventist News Network (ANN) release regarding efforts in the Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte area where he and Lakeland pastor, Brad Hyden, coordinated disaster relief volunteers. "People are so filled with thankfulness that we're here. We tell people who visit one of our three chuck wagons for a hot meal, that they can come to the distribution centers for building supplies or to get more food." Local distribution centers have been established at the Punta Gorda Church and Community Service Center as well as at the Port Charlotte Church. A regional distribution center, which is serving disaster needs throughout the state, is based at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

Winter Springs Church: Chainsaw Gang On Cutting Edge

John Rauch reported that a team of seven members, headed by Matthew Draves, went to Punta Gorda and worked directly with the Sheriff's Department cutting downed trees and opening roads. They were given authority to enter those areas most affected by the storm.

Forest Lake Group Among First Responders

The Forest Lake Church Pathfinder chuck wagon and seven church members, directed by Doug Gondera, arrived in Punta Gorda Saturday evening, August 14, and served 450 hot meals between 6:30 and 11:00. Doug was accompanied by his wife, Suzette; son, Douglas Jr.; in-laws, Ruth and Karoly Sales; and friends Les McCoy and Mark Offenback. By Tuesday evening, more than 5,000 meals were served from the chuck wagon. Later, Pathfinder chuck wagons from the Naples Church and Apopka Church arrived. By Monday, August 23, they had served more than 16,000 hot meals. Richard Bradley, lay disaster relief coordinator in Tallahassee, said, "When you have somebody show up with food, you have hope." Incidently, printed on the side the Forest Lake Pathfinder chuck wagon is: Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church—Where Hope Is Born!

Adventist Presence Noticed

One day, a Punta Gorda resident came up to the chuck wagon and asked: "Are you Adventists?" When told "yes," the response was, "I've noticed how the Adventist Church is present in disaster areas, so I figured you'd be out here." One nonAdventist woman, who had donated to an Ingathering campaign said, "This is the church I give to and I'm glad to see them giving back to the community."