Harold Johnson, Blue Cap

RRBA Disaster Relief Team Leader

TO:  Disaster Relief Volunteers

FROM:  Harold Johnson, Unit Director

SUBJECT:  Update Newsletter # 42

DATE:  August 16th, 2008

The purpose of this memo is to provide you with an update on what is going on with Red River Baptist Association Disaster Relief.

It looks like I have been remiss in my duties. A lot has happened since the last letter.

Our April 26^th training session was good. We trained over 100 new and update personnel.

Thanks to those who went with us to Warren to assist in the training of new personnel. We trained about 50.

Thanks to those who assisted with food preparation for the construction team from Georgia who worked on the Hispanic church building in Gurdon. The team members were very appreciative and complimentary of the service we provided.

As of today the roof is going up on our new building. Once that is completed we will need to install the overhead doors and pour the concrete entrance ramps. Next we will build the walls for the rooms inside and do the electrical and plumbing work. Below is an accounting of what we have received and spent on this project. As you can quickly see we are at a near zero balance. It looks like it will take at least $18,000 to finish the work. Unfortunately this building is costing nearly twice what we hoped it would cost. After the Olds Foundation, our largest contributors have been our team members, followed by the churches of the Association giving through the Agnes Coppenger Offering for Association Missions. Unfortunately our money sources have about dried up and we will not be able to continue until additional money becomes available.

Doug and Teresa Higgenbotham are hosting a Southern Gospel concert to raise money for the new building. It will begin at 7:00 pm on August 6^th at Caddo Valley Baptist Church. In addition to Doug and Teresa (Messengers of Song), the participating groups will be Designed by Grace from Arkadelphia, The Hawkins Family from Hot Springs, and Victory Road from Texas. Please come out and enjoy the talent of these groups and support our fund raising effort.

The State Convention has asked us to conduct a special training session for new personnel at FBC Arkadelphia on September 20^th. Please encourage anyone you know who would be a candidate for disaster relief to attend. Announce this in your worship services and church bulletins. We will need about 15 or 18 of you to assist with the hands on training and prepare the meal. If you would be willing to help please call or e-mail me your response. You will need to be at the church by 8:00 am and we should be finished shortly after noon. This is a good opportunity for you to learn more about our equipment.

I hope this helps you to stay informed.  Please call me at 870-246-5151 or e-mail me at johnsonhj@sbcglobal.net if you have questions or comments.