We had started our VBS on Sunday June 8th.  We live in a small town and was excited to be doing Group's Avalanche Ranch from last year.  Monday the sandbagging started and there was a lot of activity going on at the community center where we hold it.  Being the director, I tried calling it off for safety reasons, but several of the other leaders said we should still hold it.  That was around 1 PM.  By 4:30 PM, I called one of them and told them I would not be there as we were trying to build a dike around my brother's house (he lives on the family farm at the edge of town).  Tuesday, we were still trying to build it higher.  Never thought it would get in the house but we had carried some of the basement belongings up to the main floor "just in case".  Wednesday, my brother called and said he was going to lose the basement and he needed help to try and get more of the basement upstairs.  We spent over a hour hauling things upstairs or in the garage.  My midnight, my husband, golden retriever and I evacuated to Cedar Rapids.  Couldn't find a motel so we had to drive 16 miles south to a hotel that had room.

By Thursday, our entire town was flooded and not allowed back in.  Personally I had a sister and her family, brother and his family, a nephew and family, best friends and their elderly parents, a father-in-law, many friends and ourselves were homeless.  We were finally let in to see the damage on Monday for a short time.  It did not get on our main floor but the smell is throughout the house.  The basement totally flooded, which had the furnace, water heater, private well pump and tank.  We've been pumping for days but the ground water is so high, it keeps coming in.  We have to have numerous inspections before we will be allowed to live there.  Can't get an electrician in until there is no water and it is going to be at least 3 weeks before we can even get on a list.  Furnace people, who knows.  The city is requiring people to be certified with them or they will not accept the inspection.  In respect, I guess we didn't lose as much as some, but we do have a wall in the basement that we are extremely concerned about and will need to get that inspected.  Fema has helped out and the Salvation Army.  Red Cross was there, but with Cedar Rapids also being flooded, they are mainly in CR but we do see them every once in a while. 

Needless to say, VBS will not take place for us this year. We lost a lot of the things we needed and since most of the volunteers were also flooded, we have way too much on our plates. I'm thankful for my co-director as she helped out so much with trying to put the things up high at the building.  Another church was going to receive it all at the end of the week.  She is the rock to me and several others and know that she is also a survivor of tragedy. 

Our pastor was not affected by the flood and bless his heart, he's taking care of our church so the board members and church members do not have to.  We've lost all of our Sunday School books, crafts, lessons, music, portable organ, CD players and the list goes on.   The kitchen was also down there.  They are trying to salvage the dishes and tables and chairs but all appliances and electrical are in the garbage pile now.  It sounds like we lost the little kids tables and chairs too.  I can not even bring myself to look in the basement yet as it is so overwhelming.  It's one thing when it's one person, but when your family and friends and your church is also affected, it's hard. 

A few families are selling and moving.  Some are rebuilding, while others are repairing.  My family and friends, and most of my dear church family friends, will be back.  We love our small town and the warmth of loving and caring friends and family there.  We do need your prayers to take it one step at a time and be bigger and better. The end of the tunnel is around the bend. Several of us can look back and only see one set of foot prints behind us in the sand, God is strong and was carrying a flock of us but held us up high as to not get our feet wet.  I look back today and see faint footprints, so I know that I'm trying to get down again.  Just a little timid. But each day is better and the tears flow less.

I know that God doesn't give you more than he thinks you can handle and prayers are answered.  I thank him that no lives were lost in our small town and everyone got out safely.  We can rebuild, but it will take time.

Thank you for your prayers.  Please keep all the flood victims downriver from us in your prayers as well as those upriver. 

God Bless each of you,

Jenny (JJBurst)

God Bless,

Josh T. in Ohio

Group's Crocodile Dock VBS 2009 June 15-19, 2009

Wow.  I will definitely be keeping you and your town in my thoughts and prayers.  It is a sad story, but how wonderful that you are using it as a testimony to the grace and love of God!  It is certainly understandable that you are not having VBS this year, but I will also be praying that through this tragedy you and your church will still be able to lead many little ones (and adults) to Christ.  Sometimes in these situations, people are searching and more willing than ever to hear about God's love!

Wendy