Hand of Hope Omaha - Past Mission Trips
- - Pacific Junction, IA - -
March 15, 2019 was the beginning of significant flooding from North central Nebraska all the way to the Southeast corner of the state plus flooding across the river into Iowa. Heavy rain on top of record snow fall, coupled with 60 degree temperatures melted nearly the entire snow base in 2 days. Waters ran wildly as the ground was frozen solid. Next, levees and dams broke which created walls of water and amplified the water volume heading into already flooded areas.
2019 was very busy as 191 volunteers shared 3,695 service hours with 22 families and their communities, from Pacific Junction, Iowa (2,510 hours) to Bellevue, NE/Valley (480 hours), and initially three trips (Feb to March) to Houston, TX. (705 hours).
In 2020, we worked in smaller teams through July, contribute another additional 800 hours in Pacific Junction, but we wrapped up due to Covid-19 concerns.
From February through September 2020 we also became a furniture donations conduit between Omaha and Pacific Junction, taking several trailer loads of furniture to those in need. We worked through a trusted resident who helped us match the donations to the recipients. Two households in Omaha donated Kitchen Cabinets they were replacing. We were able to reconstruct and refinish them to fit perfectly into the last two homes we assisted with. We GREATLY appreciate the dedication of volunteers as we worked for over 15 months on this single disaster.
March 15, 2019 was the beginning of significant flooding from North central Nebraska all the way to the Southeast corner of the state plus flooding across the river into Iowa. Heavy rain on top of record snow fall, coupled with 60 degree temperatures melted nearly the entire snow base in 2 days. Waters ran wildly as the ground was frozen solid. Next, levees and dams broke which created walls of water and amplified the water volume heading into already flooded areas.
2019 was very busy as 191 volunteers shared 3,695 service hours with 22 families and their communities, from Pacific Junction, Iowa (2,510 hours) to Bellevue, NE/Valley (480 hours), and initially three trips (Feb to March) to Houston, TX. (705 hours).
In 2020, we worked in smaller teams through July, contribute another additional 800 hours in Pacific Junction, but we wrapped up due to Covid-19 concerns.
From February through September 2020 we also became a furniture donations conduit between Omaha and Pacific Junction, taking several trailer loads of furniture to those in need. We worked through a trusted resident who helped us match the donations to the recipients. Two households in Omaha donated Kitchen Cabinets they were replacing. We were able to reconstruct and refinish them to fit perfectly into the last two homes we assisted with. We GREATLY appreciate the dedication of volunteers as we worked for over 15 months on this single disaster.
- - League City, TX - -
Millions of homes experienced frozen, then shattered pipes and the water damage due to what they call Winter Storm Uri. The havoc was created when in February, freezing temperatures swept deep into Texas. With no heat inside or outside homes, their water lines froze, causing the…. “Texas Frozen Pipe Disaster”.
We teamed up with a coalition of Omaha churches and Orphan Grain Train of Norfolk, NE to become “Team Nebraska” for this mission trip. In Texas we assisted two non-profits: The Fuller Center-Disaster Rebuilders (League City, TX) and 4B Disaster Response Network (Texas City, TX.)
Millions of homes experienced frozen, then shattered pipes and the water damage due to what they call Winter Storm Uri. The havoc was created when in February, freezing temperatures swept deep into Texas. With no heat inside or outside homes, their water lines froze, causing the…. “Texas Frozen Pipe Disaster”.
We teamed up with a coalition of Omaha churches and Orphan Grain Train of Norfolk, NE to become “Team Nebraska” for this mission trip. In Texas we assisted two non-profits: The Fuller Center-Disaster Rebuilders (League City, TX) and 4B Disaster Response Network (Texas City, TX.)
- - Houston , TX - - From the evening of August 25, 2017, when Hurricane Harvey first made landfall, until August 29, this storm pounded the states of Texas and Louisiana. This immediately set off a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas. Sustained winds of over 130 mph and rainfall in the Houston area exceeded 24” in the first day alone. Cedar Bayou, on the outskirts of Houston, received a total of 52” of rain. The final damage toll looks to be above $180 Billion, the most of any Natural Disaster in history. Over 250 miles of the Texas coast and thirteen million people were impacted. An excess of 200,000 homes were damaged and the death toll from the storm reached nearly 90.
- - Baton Rouge, LA - - From August 12 to August 14 of 2016, 30 inches of rain fell over the southern part of Louisiana. This flood, the 3rd largest in US history, was quickly pushed out of the headlines as it occurred in the middle of the Olympics and Presidential primaries. Even with over 80,000 homes impacted, this became known as “The Forgotten Flood.”
- - New Orleans, LA - - On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. It was the largest Hurricane to ever hit the US. The heavy rain for hours and following storm surge caused levee breaches and massive flooding. Over 1800 people were killed and 700 are still missing. Over 80% of the city was under water.
- - Cedar Rapids, IA - - In 2007 the people of Cedar Rapids declared 2008 to be “The Year of the River.” Little did they know that on June 13, 2008 that very river would crest 18.6 feet over flood stage. The flooding caused 18,000 people to be evacuated, put 1,300 blocks under water, damaged 5,400 homes and 1,000 businesses. Many people had no flood insurance as the lived above the 100 and 500 year flood plains. Following the flood of 2008 we traveled several times to provide assistance to our neighboring state....
- - Joplin, MO - - On May 22, 2011, a F5 tornado cut a path through Joplin, MO. destroying 6,000 homes and businesses. We met friends from both the Chicago area and Austin, Texas who we had worked with in New Orleans. This was a consorted effort to manage a crew of over 45 people. The stories we heard from Lt Darren Gallop of the Joplin Police Department and other people we worked with were unbelievable. One that stands out was the High School graduation. It was taking place at the time the tornado hit however its location had been moved... the High School where it would have been took a direct hit.
- - Correctionville, IA - - We had the opportunity to payback the church that started our fire, Hand of Hope in Omaha. Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City, IA had stepped up to own rebuilding a 100 year old Victorian farm house just northwest of Anthon, Iowa. It had been hit by a tornado on October 4th, 2013. The roof had been completely torn off and it sustained substantial damage to both the inside and outside of the home. The second home on their property vanished without a trace.
- - Moore & El Reno, OK - - Hit by an EF5 Tornado on May 20th, 2013. This was particularly bad as it hit two Elementary Schools. The tornado claimed 24 lives, including 10 children, and caused billions of dollars in damage. We prepared to go support those impacted with prayer, comfort and rebuilding on trips beginning in March, 2014. We returned October, 2014 and March, 2015.
Hand of Hope at Home - Omaha, NE -
Empty Tomb Ministries - We all have the opportunity to volunteer to make and serve a meal to approximately 130 homeless and less fortunate people one Sunday a month or one Sunday a year. This is a great outreach opportunity for families, groups at church and neighbors. It involves only a day to purchase and prep food, then half a day to serve. Hand of Hope Ministries has partnered with Empty Tomb to help secure groups to serve meals on the second Sunday each month. If this interests you, we will be glad to answer questions, let you come along or put you in touch with their coordinator, just click HERE.
Empty Tomb Ministries - We all have the opportunity to volunteer to make and serve a meal to approximately 130 homeless and less fortunate people one Sunday a month or one Sunday a year. This is a great outreach opportunity for families, groups at church and neighbors. It involves only a day to purchase and prep food, then half a day to serve. Hand of Hope Ministries has partnered with Empty Tomb to help secure groups to serve meals on the second Sunday each month. If this interests you, we will be glad to answer questions, let you come along or put you in touch with their coordinator, just click HERE.
Hand of Hope at Home - Omaha, NE -
Abide Ministries - A great ministry here at home in Omaha, the larger vision of Abide Network is to revitalize North Omaha by rebuilding rundown homes and cleaning up Neighborhoods. In 2011 and 2012 we as a church worked together to demo then rebuild a home for them.
Abide Ministries - A great ministry here at home in Omaha, the larger vision of Abide Network is to revitalize North Omaha by rebuilding rundown homes and cleaning up Neighborhoods. In 2011 and 2012 we as a church worked together to demo then rebuild a home for them.
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