Missouri Baptists help repair hurricane damage

Missouri Baptists help repair hurricane damage

By Staff

March 10, 2005

MANSFIELD – Hurricane Ivan and the storms it spawned were blamed for at least 52 deaths in the United States last year and 70 deaths in the Caribbean. Missouri Baptists from the Wright, Douglas, Ozark Baptist Association took note of that devastation and decided to take action.

A mission team from five churches in the association went to Pensacola, Fla., Jan. 16-22 to help repair and rebuild areas that the hurricane damaged. Leading the effort of 12 short-term missionaries was Roger Flint, pastor, Southside Baptist Church, Mountain Grove.

The mission team worked with Hillcrest Baptist Church, Pensacola, to repair and replace roofs, repair a chain-link fence on one baseball field and erect two new chain-link fences on ball fields. They also tore out the kitchen ceiling of the concession building damaged by wind and rain, sprayed the building with chlorine to rid it of mold, painted the ceiling and kitchen, and cleaned all of the appliances in the concession building.

As a result of this work by the Missouri Baptist missionaries, the ball fields were repaired and ready for the start of the season in February. City ball fields in Pensacola will not be in use this season because they are being used as dump stations for trees damaged by the hurricane.

Accompanying Flint from his congregation were Bob French, Ed Swehla and Becky McGregor. Norwood Baptist Church sent Ed Janes, Paul Janes and Troy Janes. Ed Ross, Elizabeth Ross and Nick Lansdown came from Little Creek Baptist Church, Hartville. Rounding out the team were Sondra Mahoney of First Baptist Church, Mountain Grove, and Mike Simmons of Cedar Gap Baptist Church, Seymour.

“The mission team returned home grateful to Wright, Douglas, Ozark Baptist Association for sending us on this mission and to be reminded that it is more blessed to give than to receive,” Mahoney said.