Greetings from Iowa

I was recently at an EFCA National Conference in St. Louis with my team. That was a great time of networking and learning the latest EFCA news. I made it down to the Arch while I was there, but I didn't have time to ride to the top. The Mississippi looked like it was close to flooding it's banks (not too far away from the Arch!) and I was surprised at the width and volume of the waters as they flowed by!

Instead of going back to Louisiana, I got re-routed to Iowa. There's been lots of flooding in Iowa and it's been oppressive just looking at the aftermath with water still in the streets and neighborhoods, homes gutted and roads closed. It reminded me of being in New Orleans with all the wet belongings thrown out on the curbs. There will be rebuilding needs going on for a long time.

Parkview EFC in Iowa City was flooded with 6 feet of water. Their parking lot is still full of water and probably will be for a while. They have relocated their offices and services right now and are staying 'a float' one might say. I'm very impressed with how they have mobilized the church body and volunteers to completely gut their church and start working towards the recovery phase. They have also pulled together to make transitions that they didn't anticipate. Please keep them in your prayers. There's also a church in Cedar Rapids where I have had contact with the care team. They are looking at how they can make sure all their members are doing ok which is quite a task given the size of their congregation and the problem with flooding. It's great to see the body taking care of their own and pitching in to help each other.

I have been very welcomed and will continue to be a resource as I can and build a relationship with these churches. It's hard to see what they are going through, but it's encouraging to see how they are pulling through it!

Please keep all those affected in your prayers and that things will "dry up" where flooding has occurred.