Monday, June 29, 2009

Iowa Governer Calls for "Summer of Service"

(Press-Citizen) Iowa Governor Chet Culver said Iowa has come a long way in recovering from the fourth worst disaster in United States history. Culver said last summer’s flooding caused $1.5 billion in damages.

However, Culver said the state still has a long way to go. People are still displaced from their homes and many businesses have yet to recover. One way to continue to rebuild is through the work of volunteers, he said. “We saw the impact of volunteerism last summer,” Culver said. Approximately 50,000 volunteers helped out the 40,000 displaced Iowa residents last year, he said.

“Those volunteers were the calm within the storm,” Culver said. “They were the heroes.”

In the spirit of that service, Culver unveiled the Culver/Judge “Summer of Service” program. Culver said the statewide program will mirror President Barack Obama’s “United We Serve” nationwide volunteer campaign. “This summer, we want to encourage more Iowans to serve,” Culver said. Culver’s program has three goals: bolster civic engagement in Iowa; improve our communities in four national priority areas – energy and the environment, education, health care and community renewal; and develop partnerships with nonprofits, faith-based groups and other organizations.

Those interested in the program can log onto volunteeriowa.org to find tools and resources to match volunteers to service opportunities. “We’re going to recover from this natural disaster and at the end of the day, have a better state,” Culver said.

"The Show Me State" Lives Up to Its Name



Wow! What an impressive group of young people with heart and a work ethic unmatched anywhere. A group of 10 Missourians went to task today at Paul and Lillian Gruhn's house. In one day they dug and cemented in a half a dozen fence posts for a chain-link fence, finished out 20 feet of landscaping along the south side of the house, and boxed in and hauled 9 yards of dirt from the street to the backyard to finish Paul's dream of having a big, beautiful garden. In a word - impressive. "They are some of the hardest working kids I've ever seen," commented Pastor Dan, who shoveled side-by-side with the teens from Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Jefferson City, MO. Their youth director emailed over the weekend saying their mission trip to another part of the country fell through at the last minute. The Junior and Senior High Students still wanted to help out somewhere on the planet. And guess what? They found my blog on the internet, and God did the rest.

When they finished up with the last wheelbarrowfull, they took off to the waterpark in Waterloo for a little afternoon fun. They plan on coming back tomorrow to finish up the chain link fence and possibly do some siding. I can't say enough good things about these young people. It makes a young pastor-to-be warm inside and hopeful of the future of Christ's kingdom here on earth!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Reality Strikes on Flood Tour

I had a chance to give our friends from Missouri a quick driving and walking tour of the flooded areas this afternoon. Some wet eyes surrounded me as I described the devastation and feelings of despair around town in the weeks and months after the muddy water receded. I think the reality set in for them of what our community has been through and the tall task ahead (which these folks will play a part). I told them they are literally the hands and feet of Christ in our recovery and I thanked them for their presence this week. They also had a chance to meet Kia Gruhn, who at 15, is very much one of the their peers. Smiles and hope abound at their meeting. I think they are excited to help transform her bedroom space and this will help make the experience all the more real and personally fullfiling.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

MO' Help Arrives!


I just welcomed the group from Jeff. City, Missouri who will be working with us the next several days at the Gruhn's home. Nice young folks. They are staying at FLC tonight and will join us for worship Sunday at 11AM. If you spot them, please extend a warm Iowa welcome.

They head off to Gloria Dei to stay Sunday-Wednesday nights, as we have the daycare and can't take overnight folks. I've lined up food and a shower trailer for them (doesn't that sound like fun?!). Pastor Dan will be working with them to build a garden and fence for the Gruhn's. I hope they meet Kia while they are here. Pastor Dan hopes they can paint Kia's room upstairs (untouched by the flood). Word is she wants it purple.

Volunteers Overwhelm Contractor

"You had how many people today?" asked the voice on the other end of the phone. "21," I replied. "WHOA!" came the voice again. I admit 21 was more people than I expected and apparently it is the magic number to get a "whoa" out of seasoned contractor Pat Freilinger on the phone. He told me, "I've worked with volunteers on other flooded houses, but I haven't seen anything like what you guys are doing. This is great!"

Activity was fast and furious all morning. Three teams of drywallers filled the inside of the house with sounds of cutting, driving nails and screws into the fresh, new walls. The "Dynamic Duo" of Dave Bey and Dave DeWolf worked as fast as they could sealing of the insulation to stay ahead of drywallers John Shaw, John Hall, Kerry Kupka, Tom Olmstead, Kent Dvorak, and Scott Gerhold sweating in the intense heat inside the house.

Meanwhile, four teams of guys outside put up trim boards and beautiful gray siding, each piece cleanly covering a little more evidence of last year's destructive flood water. Marv Quaas, Nathan Burger, Matt Musil, Terry Shie, Mark Sheibe, Ken Van Zee, and Larry Johnson cut, placed, and pounded the siding, and all while trying to avoid the beating sun. Mary Van Houten brought by a delicious coffee cake, lemonaide, and water for our break. While Larry Muters, Carol Lakin, and I transported new appliances and furniture out to a storage unit. Pastor Dan calculated and purchased the materials needed for the yard work this week done by our friends from Missouri.

Our progress kept our on-site professional Joe Roling hopping. We finished up the drywall in the living room, one bedroom, and got a head start on the kitchen. We prepped the whole house for siding and siding over half of one wall. Freilinger said he lined up another volunteer crew from the coalition to drywall Monday. Then the pros will tape, mud, and sand our work. The hope is to finish up the siding and be painting inside on our next work day July 11th! Hope to see you then!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Kids Bless Quilts

A full house at 9:30 Worship helps the children bless 60 beautiful quilts to go to kids affected by the flood.

The First Lutheran "Comfort-makers" crafted 60 snuggly, homemade blankets: one for each child attending the Camp Noah, a nationally recognized summer camp to help kids process going through a natural disaster such a flood. FLC is hosting the camp July 20-24. Space is available! For more information click here: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/46864792.html

The comfort makers draped the colorful quilts over the backs of the pews during all worship services this weekend. At the 8, 9:30, & 11 AM services, kids placed their hands on the quilts to pray for the well-being of the children who would use them.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

FLC Volunteers Impress the Pros

"(The people of First Lutheran) got way further than any of us ever dreamed we would get today!" Joe Roling from Done Done Contracting offered this ringing endorsement to the more than dozen people who showed up with willing hearts and eager hands to help one of our own flock recover from the flood.

Dave DeWolf and Dave Bey smiled ear-to-ear as John Hall helped Roling put the first piece of new sheet rock in place. It had been a long time coming. "Dave and I put in a lot of time tearing all of the old stuff out," said Bey. "It feels good to see that go up."

Signs of progress all around made this morning one of the most optimistic days in the life of First Lutheran Church since the flood water hit one year ago year last week. Dave Karpa and Fredrick Rotemiller arrived an hour early to string phone and cable - the last hurdle inside the house before the ball really starts to roll downhill now with insulation, sheetrock, and painting. "I honestly thought we would just start putting in insulation this morning," offered Roling. "I never thought we'd get everything done we did." I told Joe, "That's the power of God at work!" I really could feel His presence this morning in everything taking place. Once the phone and cable went in, Hall, Bey, and DeWolf went to work on the insulation. Like Bey and DeWolf have done for so many months, the trio rolled up their sleeves and knocked it out before noon. John even hung the first piece of sheetrock.

If cleanliness is next to Godliness, Robert and Kia Gruhn are ready for sainthood! The pair scrubbed the basement clean and sprayed on a mold preventer. Robert also helped Larry Johnson and I take down a neighbor's donated chain link fence for the Gruhn's dog, Daisy. Karolyn Smith brought a delicious coffee cake for us during our break. Jim Janke and Terry Shie spent all morning on ladders wrapping the house in much-needed waterproof paper.

Next Saturday we will be hanging sheetrock and possibly putting on siding from 8 AM to Noon at 1642 8th street. All we need is YOU! You don't need any expertise, just a willing heart to help. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Meet the Gruhns!


You might be asking yourself,"Who is this Gruhn family I keep hearing so much about?" Well, they are a neat little, atypical family worth getting to know.
Like you, I had heard so much about them that when the day came for our first meeting, I found myself piloting my pickup anxiously through the raindrops with my hands gripped to the old, leather wheel. As I passed by house after half-built house, my heart grew heavy in my chest. I thought to myself, here it is almost one year to the day after the flood and so many people still need our help! The sky over my cherry-red pickup was dull and gray, the exact same sky as that heart-breaking week of the flood. But my spirits were about to be lifted by a furry little friend.

As I opened the door to the Gruhn's flooded out home, I was greeted by a cute, little, white and brown dog. A blond teenager swooped down to pick up the dog and introduced herself, "My name's Kia," she said with a teenager's optimism, "And this is Daisy." Kia was very pleasant and we hit it off right away. She happened to know a close friend of mine who will also be a sophomore next year in high school. I felt God's Spirit touch my soul and I opened my mouth and put words to it, "Kia, we are going to have your family back in your house by the time you start school!" (Their general contractor told me in an earlier conversation that he is committed to the same goal). I just know the people of First Lutheran will come through. The moment gave me goosebumps. Daisy pranced around us in circles and Kia told me, "You know, Daisy just seems more happy here in our house. She loves to play over here even though it's just plywood floors and bare studs."

Next I met Kia's Dad, Robert. Robert is a hard-working, fun guy with a smile you can't seem to ever wipe off his face. Robert is also deaf, which made communicating with him a little challenging at first. The two of us talked about how the gray skies, the upcoming flood anniversary, and all the challenges we've faced thus far have made us all feel glum. I told them I honestly wondered one year ago, "Where is God in all of this?" Then I shared with them that I've since come to realize that God is present in those of us who come to help out others. God is also present in people who have lived through the flood and teach the rest of us humility. The three of us then joined hands and prayed for God's guidance and protection in the weeks ahead.

A few days later, I had the chance to meet Kia's grandparents in their FEMA trailer....that's right 3 generations living under one roof! Paul and Lillian have been members of FLC for over 25 years. The cute, seasoned couple celebrate 46 years of marriage together this month. Sure they are not perfect people (none of us are), but all in all, they are a family I feel glad to give my time and energy helping this summer. I think you will too!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Touched by the Flood


I sent this email to friends and family one year ago this weekend. I share it with you today in honor of a city on the mend...





This is a difficult email to write. I am in the throws of trying to put together a sermon where people so badly need to hear the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have members of our congregation who have been evacuated from their homes and others who have personal businesses under water and in jeopardy.

As many of you may know, I am also in the Big Brothers program. My 'little brother' Marcus' house is entirely underwater. I received one of the saddest phone calls in my life 6 AM Thursday morning from Marcus' grandmother and caretaker, Dorothy, who fighting through tears, told me she thought they would lose everything. Dorothy runs a daycare out of her home to pay the bills. Now she doesn't know how she will sustain life. When I talked to her, she was exhausted from staying up all night watching the waters overtake her house. Dorothy and her family are unchurched. I assured her she will not go through this alone! I promised her I would ask my internship congregation to help her clean-up in the weeks ahead.
She took a deep breath and said, 'Really?!' I could hear a glimmer of hope in her voice. 'That would be wonderful.'

Our house is on a hill about 3 blocks from the edge of the flood water. The flood water laps at the bottom of the hill. Yesterday, I walked down to the National Guard solders who are guarding the water-blocked road to thank them for their service. I told them I was a chaplain and that I'm praying for them. One of the soldiers reached out to shake my hand and wearly said, 'Thank you.' He told me he was from Davenport and had been in Cedar Rapids working 36 hours straight. Many other fire and police officers have worked countless hours in boats pulling flood victims and their pets from their homes and saving their lives. Our pastor and her husband spent yesterday visiting with people at a makeshift shelter at Prairie Schools, where my wife teaches, visiting with displaced victims.

Katie and I have been without power for five days. We are fortunate our house isn't a total loss like some of our neighbors, but we live close enough to them that the power company told us it would be a calculated risk to turn our power back on. We were told it could be a week or two before power is restored. We have Kirk's milk on ice in a cooler. We lost everything in our fridge, which will cost us a few hundred dollars to replace. I took some of our frozen foods to the church freezer and some to a friend's house in Fairfax (about 2 miles from Cedar Rapids).

In addition, the entire city is operating with just one water well (about 25% of the needed capacity to run the town), so we are asked to limit water use to drinking only. That means no showers, little toliet flushing, and no laundry or dish cleaning. Our friends in Fairfax have opened their home to us for all our day-to-day needs and we are thankful to God for that.

At this time, I would ask you all to pray for the people in Iowa City and other places down river. Pray that they would take serious the gravity of the situation coming and they would take precautions including evacuating their homes when told to by emergency workers and city officials.

God bless,
-Craig

Soaked but Not Sunk



I have witnessed a lot of strange things in my life: a complete double rainbow, a giant troll under a bridge in Seattle, and Iowa's Dallas Clark catching a last second pass to beat the Boilermakers, but none of them compare to what my eyes saw Friday.

I stood in complete amazement as 250 people showed up for a free picnic with smiles on their faces in an absolute downpour. That's how bad our city needed this event. Family after family streamed in through the rain with enthusiasm and determination that has sustained our city for 365 days since flood waters took so many of their businesses and homes.

The day started rather promising. Massive crowds began arriving under cloudy skies a half hour before our event! A week early, our team knocked on 1,000 doors in the neighborhood; nearly everyone we talked to said they would come for free food. KCRG-TV9 Meteorlogist Joe Winters went live from our cookout at 5 and 6. All the pieces were in place for a massive turnout! And then, much like one year ago, Mother Nature had something to say about it.

All of our good-natured volunteers from First Lutheran, Oakhill Jackson, and Family of Faith all teased Joe as the rain came harder and harder. Joe gave us all a hearty laugh when he shot back, "When you all said grace, I didn't hear anyone praying for no rain!!" I told Joe, "If anyone has problems with the weather, they should talk to our boss!" Joe smiled and knew what I meant. God is in control of the weather, Joe just reports it (and does a fine job too).

I am just as convinced that God didn't pour rain on our picnic to "get back at us," as I am convinced that God didn't flood our city one year ago today to repay our sins. That task was handled in full 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ. Recall the story of Noah and the flood. When the rain ended, God set his rainbow in the sky and proclaimed, "Never again! Never again will I forsake my people." And so we take God at His word. I believe God loves us so much that He will always deliver us from our trouble and despair, even now. He is using you and I to rebuild a great city in Cedar Rapids. We saw it time and time again on Friday.

Four brave souls soaked to the bone (Andy, Tom, Dave, and Al) kept flipping burgers all night without any cover over their heads. The women serving the food never complained. Our band and facepainters got washed out, but enjoyed some free food. Some of the seats around them may have been empty, but the conversations were full. A homeless gentlemen told me a story of helping move a woman from evacuated Mercy Hospital to St. Luke's just in time to deliver twins! Another couple told me and I reminced about not being able to flush the toliet or shower for a week. It was a night full of hope.

The event's overall coordinator told me today that our Bever site had 500 people; Noelridge saw 600. Altogether we had over 3,000 people at 11 sites. Had the weather been nice, he said all of us would have run out of food. But that wasn't the case. And so maybe that's how God would have it - a tangible reminder that water can not overcome us and that ultimately water is a good thing. Andy Meyer looked at each other at the end of the day and just smiled. I said, "Well, it was memorable, Andy." He replied, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Neither would I.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Friday Cookout Gets Some Star Power


I just got off the phone with my old friend, KCRG-TV9's Joe Winters, who is coming to our Friday Night Cookout at McKinley Middle School! The Free cookout is from 6-9 PM. Joe will be doing live weathershots on the 5 and 6 PM Newscasts.

Joe is a devout Catholic and a stand up guy. I liked him personally and professionally all 5 years I was at KCRG working as a news reporter. I was pleased to see him take over as Chief Meteorologist for Denny Frary and I am pleased to see he's coming to our cookouts! His presence will do wonders to promote all the Christian-based events this weekend to celebrate Cedar Rapidians making it one-year flood free. These events demonstrate God's amazing grace and love for all the world - even amidst a tragedy such as the flood. Please tune in at 5 and 6 to see Joe live - or better yet - set your DVR and join us on site for a free hamburger and shake the man's hand. God is so good!

Gruhn's house is Greenlit!

Oh happy day! After months of backlog and red tape, Jumpstart has finally approved all work to be completed on the Gruhn family's home. I am SO excited. I spent a full day driving back and forth from the Jumpstart offices to the contractor's house to the Gruhn's in Marion to get all the paperwork signed. Folks, we are a "GO."

Here's the plan: I met with the Gruhn family to get a list of their priorities and needs to finish the job. We all have the same goal: Get Kia back home before she starts school in mid-August. I backdated our weekly priorities from August and took the work calendar to Pat, the contractor hired by the Gruhn's. Pat said it looks great and is doable!

We will have workdays EVERY SATURDAY morning beginning Sat. June 20th. Please watch this blog for weekly needs.

Pat's guys are currently putting in the HVAC. This is in HIGH demand right now in CR. Pat hopes to have this completed by Friday, June 19th, so we can get in on Sat. the 20th to begin putting in insulation and siding. I will be busy with the flood anniversary this weekend; I plan on contacting you next week about your availability.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Sign Here Please


Our worship planning group decided to add a wrinkle to worship this weekend. Seeing as it is the one-year anniversary of the flood, we are asking people to write down the FIRST NAMES ONLY of people on their hearts who were touched by the flood on our cityscape banners. We will then hold them in prayer as we worship each week by having their names surrounding our worship space.

How will this work? The group decided it wouldn't be best to take down the banners and put them in the Nave, as we don't want to rip the banners or tear up the walls. So, we have decided to invite people as they are coming or going from worship or communion to use one of the pens placed under the banners to write names as high as they can reach. Tall people, please reach high!

I think this will be a moving experience for many members of our congregation (myself included) as we ALL know at least one person, if not many, touched by the flood. This isn't limited to just Cedar Rapids or just First Lutheran Members. If you know people in Palo, Iowa City, or elsewhere touched by last year's floods, please include their first names on the banner.

Monday, June 8, 2009

An Organic Shot in the City's Arm


Hundreds turned out on a rain soaked Saturday for what turned out to be a monumental occasion for the city of Cedar Rapids, all wrapped in the normalcy of home grown radishes.

Katie is a HUGE fan of the farmer's market (as are a number of Cedar Rapidians) and we've been circling this date for a while. Last year, CR started a new venture. In addition to the number of smaller farmer's markets at various locations, the city decided to try one mega market in the downtown area, which later turned out to be ground zero for the flood. Last year's one mega market was a huge success, but then the waters came and washed out any future ventures, until this past weekend. This was the city's first reload for the mega market and the townspeople apparently were ready for radishes, homemade bread, fresh cut flowers, and the like. Katie and I had talked for days about going and we weren't going to let a little rain stop us! So we packed Hayden in his "yoda pack," put Kirk in the stroller, and we hit the city streets.

Oh my gosh were there a lot of people there! It was like an umbrella city, but the moisture couldn't wipe the smiles off people's faces. It felt so good to participate in something so positive for our town. It was normalcy again. Thank God! A little rain without fear of causing any damage. I'll take it! Oh, and I got some fantastic, fresh radishes and Kirk got a bite of a hot, apple turnover! The next mega market is on the first Saturday of July. If it's a dry day, I can't even imagine how many people will be downtown soaking up the sun and experiencing the sense of a city on the mend.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Flier Drop Touches Hearts

Larry and I walked up and down 14th Street SE, put papers in people's hands and said, "Free food." People said, "Okay, I'll be there!" It was fantastic and very easy! Larry and I were even touched by encountering a few people living in new homes after being flooded out of their old houses. One really nice woman effected by the flood was putting in some beautiful new flowers in front of her new house. Larry asked a few questions and we ended up having a short prayer with her. The woman was in tears and I think Larry and I were both fighting them back too! God is so good. He never gives up on us...even when we are forced by Mother Nature to relocate our entire lives. There is hope! This was a great, spirit-filled activity.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Extra Extra Read all about it!

Our own Barb Hanson made the news with a story about the fantastic "Camp Noah" we are hosting this summer for kids affected by last year's flood. Check it out. Here's a link:

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/46864792.html

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Creative Minds Wanted

We are in dire need of inspiration. Our church is charge of music/entertainment next Friday night for our neighborhood cookout. I for the life of me can't seemed to get motivated to figure this out. Does anyone have any ideas of how to bring live pop/rock musicians or recorded music to this event? Challenge: We don't have electricity on-site at McKinley. I am about ready to crank my pickup radio and roll down the windows!

We also need some yard games and fun stuff like face painting. Anyone have redneck golf?

Ideas greatly wanted! Your thoughts...