Monterey, Tennessee Ice Storm Debris Cleanup

Eager to get "into the field" once again to update our chainsaw cutting skills before severe weather potentially hits our local area later this Spring, 6 CFC team members packed up and headed to Monterey, Tennessee last week to assist Samaritan's Purse in its debris cleanup activities following the ice storm damage suffered by that community in late February.  While most of our members were there 3 or 4 days, one of our members was able to stay and work for 10 days!  The majority of us were even "stranded" in Monterey ourselves on Wednesday evening, March 4, when another ice and snow storm literally encased our vehicles in ice in the parking lot, requiring Samaritan's Purse to declare Thursday a "no work" day - good thing as no one could chip through the ice encasing their vehicles until Friday morning when the sun helped us to even get into them, start our engines, and operate our heaters and window defrosters!

The Monterey, TN Samaritan's Purse CFC Team included: (seated, left to right) Boyd Martin, Buddy Williams; (standing, left to right) Kenny Adcock - a SP Program Manager, Tim Smith, Bob Thompson, Judy Wingert - a SP Volunteer Leader, John Calhoun, Lester Wingert - a SP Volunteer Leader.  (Not pictured: Henry Averyt.)

We were housed in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Monterey, behind the sanctuary building.  All meals were provided by SP and chief cook Mona fed us quite well - scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits and gravy, cereals, fresh fruit, coffee and orange juice usually comprised breakfast.  And each of the three nights I was there we enjoyed baked chicken, barbecued pork and baked ham, all with traditional sides and salads.  Sandwich meats, PB&J, sliced cheese, bags of snacks and fresh fruits were available for make-your-own lunches.  Bottled water was abundant and especially needed when working in a cold, dry winter climate (despite the rain, snow and ice!)

The sign welcoming us to First Baptist Church. The Fellowship Hall - dining room, kitchen and gymnasium on the first floor; men's overnight quarters upstairs - our room was re-purposed for us from its intended use as an exercise room.  (The women serving this week were housed overnight in the classrooms in the sanctuary building.)

My "spot" in our room (shared with 10 others!). The SP Shower Trailer - Yay!!  Hot water on demand - although they had to shut it down Thursday night for fear the water lines would freeze!

The dining room - and gathering place before a meal.  We also enjoyed a movie on Ice Thursday entitled "Courageous."  If you haven't seen it, may I humbly recommend you do so. Entertainment was frequently provided by the cadets from International ALERT Academy located in Big Sandy, TX.  During our deployment to Augusta, GA last year we were introduced to these outstanding, disciplined, well-mannered, Christian young men who respond to disasters and assist in debris cleanup as part of their educational training.

Ice storm debris, as we learned on our deployment last year to Augusta, GA, is not anything like the aftermath of a tornado.  Branches (and sometimes, yes, whole trees) fall right where they are when the weight of the ice becomes too much.  Unless limbs fall on roofs or fences, or perhaps careen into a building, the debris simply lands and stays right where it falls.  And being winter time, there are no leaves to worry about that might hide "creatures" underneath them.  Other than tree trunks and big limbs themselves, when the smaller branches fall they make for twiggy pick-up-sticks.  We encountered much of the same at almost every property to which we were assigned.

Nevertheless, when the debris is on your property or any damage, however slight, has occurred to your home or outbuildings, the suffering a homeowner experiences can be significant.  Even simply the loss of sleep when they're consumed by worrying about the debris and how it is ever going to be removed can be defeating.  Fortunately, everyone we met in Monterey already seemed to know Jesus Christ and had placed their trust in Him.  And He called us and others to go to Monterey to meet and love these people, to make new friends, to share his Word and embrace one another in love.  Mission accomplished! Here are some images of the folks we served and the before and after pictures of their properties.

Before After

Before After

Before After

Before After

Before After (a bit muddier!)

Before After

Before After

Before After

Appreciation was expressed by the townspeople everywhere.

So that's our story...and we're sticking to it.  Sharing the joy of Christ through our witness and through our service wherever we travel - and hopefully leaving behind new disciples in the process.  All for His glory!   Don't forget to stay in touch with us by reading our blog at cuttersforchrist.bolgspot.com in your spare moments!

In His Service, Bob Bob Thompson Cutters for Christ Disaster Response Ministry Deployment/Team Coordinator