Stories of Hope

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus ..." Colossians 3:17

Mountain View Presbyterian Church team from Scottsdale, Arizona

Responding to people in need is a very natural way of showing Christian love. Volunteers with many talents and abilities provide valuable assistance to a community affected by a disaster. The work of volunteers — putting their faith and love into action — helps turn the chaos of disaster into an image of hope.

This page includes stories from volunteers that have served in disaster response and stories from disaster survivors who have been touched by those volunteers. Each story is a witness to God’s transformational power.

• Stories from U.S. volunteer work teams
• Presbyterian involvement brings hope - stories and letters from recipients
• Stories from the U.S. Gulf Coast
  (Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma)
• Children's stories
• Tell your story

Stories from Volunteer Work Teams in the United States

One of many teams that have volunteered in Mississippi. Photo: Simon Park

From Disaster to Hope – West Virginia couple face the winter warm and dry thanks to WVMAW volunteers

From Doubt to Belief – West  Virginia couple sees the Church in action

From Coffee Grounds to Feeding the Hungry – volunteers help one homeowner, but the benefit will be for many

Undeclared Flood Disaster, April 2007: Raising hope and a new home for families in West Virginia

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism - volunteer team helps repair a church floor so they can continue ministering to the community

Laughter and Answered Prayer -"... in 17 years of going on mission, she has never seen anything like what happened in Comfort, West Virginia!"

Loaves and Fishes and Conversations in a Truck - lessons learned while leading a group from Cabrini College on mission in West Virginia

West Virginia volunteers make a difference at Orgas Presbyterian Church — summer 2006

Moreland Presbyterian Church of Beaver Dams, New York, sends work team in response to Northeast flooding — August 2006

West Virginia flooding — First Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, New Jersey sends Sr. High on mission trip to Montgomery, West Virginia, to help with flood recovery

Conklin Presbyterian Church of Conklin, New York, began serving the community soon after the flooding disaster. Photo by Jim and Katrine Anderson, PDA National Response Team members.

Together - Union Presbyterian Church of Gastonia, North Carolina, team serves in Clyde, North Carolina

Florida hurricanes 2004 — Statesville, North Carolina churches reflect on their July 2005 volunteer mission experience in Florida

North Carolina flooding — Union Presbyterian Church and Canton Presbyterian Church serve together on mission trip to Clyde, North Carolina

The best laid plans: answering God's call — Harvey Browne Presbyterian church of Louisville, Kentucky helped with storm recovery in Tennessee.

West Virginia flooding — Recipient of work teams in West Virginia writes to thank those who painted and did construction work after flooding damaged the community

Indiana churches sent a work team to Campbell Farm in Wapato, Washington

Presbyterian involvement brings hope

West Virginia flooding — volunteer work teams made a difference through the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, February 2006 report

Life and Times in Sierra Leone — by Jim Pellot, after his November 2005 visit to provide financial counseling and training to the Council of Churches of Sierra Leone (CCSL)

More than 35 Presbyterian work teams served through West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps. Photo: Joan Stewart

Florida Hurricanes 2004 — Out of the Storm: New Hope and a New Home — Churches and work teams complete a home in Florida

First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda will relocate

First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte remembers damage it sustained in Hurricane Charley only a year ago, and gives for survivors of Hurricane Katrina, September 2005

Kirkwood Camp and Retreat Center says thank you for help with road repair

Makaicu Presbyterian Church receives assistance through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT)

Centralia, Washington church sends a thank you for assistance following an earthquake that caused church damage

Rayland, Ohio, church will recover from flood damage

Peace River Presbytery extends thank you to PDA for support following the 2004 hurricanes