20 Jan 2011

Guest Post - Flood Update

Most of you won't know me, so let me introduce myself. My name is Nathan and like Jeanne I have a blog. I've travelled several hours today, along with two other teams from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia, to offer help with the big clean-up.

Jeanne asked me to give an update. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's several thousand words to give you a glimpse into Jeanne's world at the moment.



The Army has now declared their property "uninhabitable".





Thankfully, many of their books were saved. They lost approx. one foot of books.





It broke my heart driving through the town and seeing all the carpets, furniture, and various belongings of this community piled on the nature strips ready for collection. However, I have also been encouraged seeing the resiliance and community spirit clearly visible in this town.


The trial for the town, and for Jeanne and her family is far from over. I'm confident, with your continued prayers and support, that they will return soon to "living a peaceful life in the country."

27 comments:

  1. My heart is breaking. I wondered and worried about your many lovely books. I know that it is small consolation in light of what you've lost. But I am glad most of the books were undamaged. Jeanne, you and your family are in our prayers.

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  2. This is very heart breaking. It is a ilttle bit of a relief that most of your books were spared. So please to hear that Jeanne and her family have a lot of helping hands.

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  3. Oh, Jeanne, I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened. The tears are welling up and I'm trying to hold them back. I cannot even begin to imagine. You and your family (as well as those who are also enduring this) will be in my prayers. I remember seeing photos from other posts that you have shared of your home :( I'm so sorry to see what has become of it. And "uninhabitable"...that's is just heartbreaking.
    Praying for you!

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  4. Singing This World is not my Home will have a new meaning to me after seeing a blogger friend who has lived the lost of what was their peaceful earthly home.
    Jeanne, I remember playing with the idea of loosing our home too when we had Ike, and before with Katrina, but it wasn't finally what this has been for you.
    Your family is in my thoughts.
    Much love,
    silvia

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  5. Oh, dear Jeanne! How horrible! I am so sorry for you, and all of the many people going through this same thing down there. I'm very thankful that, unlike some others, you are all safe. I will keep praying!

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  6. Years ago, floodwaters were surrounding our little house in a ND farmfield, and I had to drive away with my kids and what we could put into suitcases, not knowing what we would later come back to. The verse the Lord gave me at that time was, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the Name of the Lord."

    May your heart find reasons to rejoice and bless the Lord despite these trials. Our faith is tested, too, as we watch the Australian believers suffer knowing that across the miles, all we can do now is pray. So, we pray.

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  7. "one foot of books" "uninhabitable", these are sad words, but I'm so glad you're ok and that not everything was ruined and that you have help to clean up. I can't imagine what this feels like, lots of prayers for you!!

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  8. I am sorry this has happened to you. I too will be praying.

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  9. Jeanne I knew from the reports that it was not good but then to see pictures is another thing, how terribly sad:( I guess it is a small consolation that you have some books but to think of the rest of your home and garden the way it is now is just so so sad. Glad you have quite a bit of support and help.
    love and hugs from us in Sydney.

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  10. Thankyou so much for the update as you have been in my prayers. I am so glad that you were able to save most of your books - and I know it may not feel like, but you will get back on your feet and everything will recover.

    In the Lords care

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  11. So so sad - but good to see how much you still have left - a blessing when you see those families left with nothing.
    Thank goodness for earthly insurance to compliment those godly prayers
    Thinking of you all.

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  12. Jeanne,

    I am glad you are all safe but so sorry to hear about your house. I will continue to pray.

    Do you have a paypal account? Maybe you could put a button on here for people to donate and help you reestablish your peaceful home.

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  13. Thanks for writing this post Nathan. It is heartening to see the help and support that Jeanne and co have had from their friends. Having only recently visited their beautiful home it really hit me to see the damage.
    Where I am, Rockhampton, CQ, houses are the same and the rubbish is piled high on the road ways though lots has also been cleared now. The worst part is driving around and seeing just brown sludge and brown plants and brown.....everything....I am sure it is the same down there.

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  14. You remain in my prayers. This is so sad. :(

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  15. I'm remember you and your family in my prayers. I can't imagine what you are going through. I'm so glad your family is safe.

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  16. So, Nathan, did you know you and the others are an answer to prayer? It is heartening to see the Body rise up to help care for our friends.

    Jeanne, as I looked through your fb pictures I was so happy to find you with a smile amongst them. I have never shed so many tears for someone I only know in a heart way. There is much thanksgiving going on here knowing you and your family are safe.

    The beauty of your gardens and home are gone (for the moment) but -- to borrow from Psalm 27 -- our eyes are blessed to gaze upon the God's beauty. Definitely visible in all those helpers you have.

    Believe me when I say I would hop on a plane to help you right now if I didn't think this Yankee would be more of a burden to the quintessential hostess.
    Love to you.

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  17. Oh my. Dear Jeanne! I hadn't got the idea that your house was done-in. I'm so sorry. All your lovely home. Still, you and your family are safe and that truly IS what matters in times like this. I wish I was able to fly down and help you all. Praying and praying and praying. Love to all, Lisa

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  18. jeanne hi I want to aleat you to the dangers of molds I am still unwell after 14 years because of post flood mold exposure. you can search on the web to see the horrors of mold to our health. If water has entered the wall cavity you have to dry it out as quickly as possible this may involve having to remove the plaster from the ground level to a few inches above the highest wet area. It is also a good idea (if you have power) to get blow heaters blowing hot air into the OPEN cavity If you are in a hot dry climate you may only have to cut holes in the plaster to allow air to circulation just be sure you know where the wiring is before cutting using a plaster hole saw may be enough.Also the space between cupboards and kicten units (although these often just have to be ripped out) Under the floors if you have under must be checked and dryed it is not only the wet mold that is bad but the DRY mold spores so if mold begin to grow the must be removed with mold killer.Praying for you as you clean up and restore you beautiful home.

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  19. Thinking of you, and praying, and linking.

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  20. Sending prayers and love your way Jeanne. xx

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  21. Jeanne, you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. The girls and I are praying specifically for all your food and water needs to be met, and that you will feel the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, surround your hearts AND minds during this terrible time. My His strength be your strength. And Nathan, thanks for taking the time to keep up apprised of Jeanne and her family's circumstances.

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  22. Hi Jeanne,

    Just wanted you to know I've been thinking of you and asked my bloggers to say a prayer for you the other day. Don't really know what else to say.

    Cindy Bee

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  23. I am so sorry. May God bless you and sustain you through this.

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  24. Jeanne, do any of the books you lost fall into the "out of print treasures" category? If so, shoot me off an email with the titles. As it happens, the Lifeline bookfest is next weekend - (the biggest secondhand book sale in the universe) and if you send it in time for me to learn the titles and authors, then I will scan for them while I treasure hunt.

    Mrs BB ♥

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  25. Oh my goodness. I'm speechless. I appreciate seeing the update. It certainly is a wake-up call, a reminder of all that is going on in the lives of others. It could be me. I need to not let it slip from my mind. Thank you for helping others!

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