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Bill McClung | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> DISASTER RELIEF EFFORT IN THE BAYTOWN, TX AREA (11-18 OCTOBER 2008) - (All Photos Taken With A Panasonic LX3 Camera) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

DISASTER RELIEF EFFORT IN THE BAYTOWN, TX AREA (11-18 OCTOBER 2008) - (All Photos Taken With A Panasonic LX3 Camera)

This fairly extensive gallery (200+ images) was created as a photo journal to document the Biltmore Baptist Church's October 11-18 2008 disaster relief efforts in the Baytown, Texas area. The team of 14 men and women helped many Baytown area residents and churches with cleaning up and repairing damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

Biltmore Baptist Church is located near Asheville, in Western North Carolina. Various disaster recovery/rebuilding teams from the church have been active in many areas of the country, including 36 working trips to the Gulfport, Mississippi area, following Hurricane Katrina.

As you look at these images, you will see a lot of hot, tired team members. But, if you look closely, you will also see a lot of happy faces, smiles and laughter. The work can be hard, but it is ALWAYS rewarding to the folks lucky enough to serve as the "hands and feed of Jesus". As we work to help disaster victims with their physical needs, we also have many opportunities to address their spiritual needs, sharing the Grace of our God, who loved us enough to send His only Son to die on a cross for the redemption of our sins and our salvation.

That's why we go. That's what it's all about!

NOTE FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH PBASE: Click on the first image to enlarge it. Then keep hitting "next" at the top-right of your screen to see the rest of the photos. Be sure to read the captions/comments below the images. On some computer screens (depending on your settings), you may have to arrow down under the images to see the captions/comments, particularly on the vertically oriented shots.



THE TOOL AND EQUIPMENT TRAILER SAYS IT ALL
THE TOOL AND EQUIPMENT TRAILER SAYS IT ALL		 THE UNOFFICIAL NAME THE TEAM GAVE THIS RELIEF EFFORT!
THE "UNOFFICIAL" NAME THE TEAM GAVE THIS RELIEF EFFORT!		 THE TEAM (A.K.A., THE GANG OF 14), JUST BEFORE OUR EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE
THE TEAM (A.K.A., "THE GANG OF 14"), JUST BEFORE OUR EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE		 BREAKFAST AT MICKEY-D'S
BREAKFAST AT "MICKEY-D'S"
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
ON THE ROAD AGAIN		 CHECKING OUT THE NEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GULFPORT
CHECKING OUT THE NEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GULFPORT		 A SIGN IN THE GULPORT WAL-MART
A SIGN IN THE GULPORT WAL-MART		 FORREST HEIGHTS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH - GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI
FORREST HEIGHTS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH - GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI
CHECKING OUT OUR SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS AT FORREST HEIGHTS
CHECKING OUT OUR SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS AT FORREST HEIGHTS		 LATE NIGHT MEETING AT FORREST HEIGHTS
LATE NIGHT MEETING AT FORREST HEIGHTS		 BREAKFAST AT THE GULFPORT CRACKER BARREL, ON THE WAY TO TEXAS
BREAKFAST AT THE GULFPORT CRACKER BARREL, ON THE WAY TO TEXAS		 MEETING THE PASTOR AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GULFPORT
MEETING THE PASTOR AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GULFPORT
THE CHOIR SINGING DURING THE SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GULFPORT
THE CHOIR SINGING DURING THE SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GULFPORT		 LUNCH AT WENDY'S, ON THE ROAD TO TEXAS
LUNCH AT WENDY'S, ON THE ROAD TO TEXAS		 AN IMPRESSIVE LONE STAR DISPLAY AT THE TEXAS WELCOME CENTER
AN IMPRESSIVE "LONE STAR" DISPLAY AT THE TEXAS WELCOME CENTER		 WE STOPPED AT THE NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM HEADQUARTERS, IN VIDOR, TEXAS
WE STOPPED AT THE NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM HEADQUARTERS, IN VIDOR, TEXAS
A GORGEOUS TEXAS SUNSET, AS WE ENTERED THE BAYTOWN CITY LIMITS
A GORGEOUS TEXAS SUNSET, AS WE ENTERED THE BAYTOWN CITY LIMITS		 EVEN A MUNDANE GAS STATION LOOKS GOOD IN FRONT OF A SUNSET LIKE THAT!
EVEN A MUNDANE GAS STATION LOOKS GOOD IN FRONT OF A SUNSET LIKE THAT!		 I NEVER GAINED ENTRY INTO THE LADIES' BUNK TRAILER, BUT THIS PHOTO FROM A PREVIOUS TRIP SHOWS THE LAYOUT INSIDE
I NEVER GAINED ENTRY INTO THE LADIES' BUNK TRAILER, BUT THIS PHOTO FROM A PREVIOUS TRIP SHOWS THE LAYOUT INSIDE		 A COMFORTABLE SEAT, WHILE CALLING HOME
A COMFORTABLE SEAT, WHILE CALLING HOME
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BAYTOWN, THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BAYTOWN RECOVERY EFFORT
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BAYTOWN, THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BAYTOWN RECOVERY EFFORT		 THE COOKING/FEEDING TEAM MAKING AN EARLY MORNING BREAKFAST
THE COOKING/FEEDING TEAM MAKING AN EARLY MORNING BREAKFAST		 A GOOD BREAKFAST, BEFORE HEADING OFF TO OUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT
A GOOD BREAKFAST, BEFORE HEADING OFF TO OUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT		 MORE OF OUR TEAM HAVING BREAKFAST
MORE OF OUR TEAM HAVING BREAKFAST
RED CROSS EMERGENCY VEHICLES, LINED UP AND READY TO GO
RED CROSS EMERGENCY VEHICLES, LINED UP AND READY TO GO		 SOME OF THE TRAILERS USED TO STORE FOOD
SOME OF THE TRAILERS USED TO STORE FOOD		 DOCUMENTING THE NUMBER OF MEALS SERVED
DOCUMENTING THE NUMBER OF MEALS SERVED		 WAITING FOR THE DAY'S FIRST JOB ORDER ASSIGNMENT
WAITING FOR THE DAY'S FIRST JOB ORDER ASSIGNMENT
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
HOME AWAY FROM HOME		 CHECKING OUT TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE DAY
CHECKING OUT TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE DAY		 A VERY WELL STOCKED WORKING TRAILER!
A VERY WELL STOCKED WORKING TRAILER!		 A LITTLE EARLY MORNING HUMOR
A LITTLE EARLY MORNING HUMOR
WHAT A CREW! THESE GUYS ARE READY FOR ANYTHING!
WHAT A CREW! THESE GUYS ARE READY FOR ANYTHING!		 THE TEAM ARRIVES AT OUR FIRST WORK-ORDER LOCATION
THE TEAM ARRIVES AT OUR FIRST WORK-ORDER LOCATION		 THE ROOF WAS LEAKING IN SEVERAL PLACES
THE ROOF WAS LEAKING IN SEVERAL PLACES		 A TEMPORARY ROOF TARP IS NEEDED
A TEMPORARY ROOF TARP IS NEEDED
THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FUN!
THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FUN!		 PART OF THE TEAM WORKED ON THE TEMPORARY ROOF TARP AND THE OTHERS CUT UP DOWNED TREES AND BRUSH
PART OF THE TEAM WORKED ON THE TEMPORARY ROOF TARP AND THE OTHERS CUT UP DOWNED TREES AND BRUSH		 THE CUT UP TREES AND BRUSH HAD TO BE PILED UP FOR BURNING
THE CUT UP TREES AND BRUSH HAD TO BE PILED UP FOR BURNING		 CUTTING SMALL BRANCHES AND BRUSH WITH AN EXTENSION CHAIN SAW
CUTTING SMALL BRANCHES AND BRUSH WITH AN EXTENSION CHAIN SAW
THE BLUE TARP IS POSITIONED ON THE ROOF
THE BLUE TARP IS POSITIONED ON THE ROOF		 SHARPENING THE CHAIN ON THE EXTENSION SAW
SHARPENING THE CHAIN ON THE EXTENSION SAW		 A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW BEST TO REPAIR THE FRONT PART OF THE ROOF
A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW BEST TO REPAIR THE FRONT PART OF THE ROOF		 A REST PERIOD - IT WAS ABOUT 86 DEGREES F., WITH HIGH HUMIDITY
A REST PERIOD - IT WAS ABOUT 86 DEGREES F., WITH HIGH HUMIDITY
PACKING UP AFTER THE JOB IS FINISHED
PACKING UP AFTER THE JOB IS FINISHED		 CEDAR BAYOU, NEAR COVE, TEXAS
CEDAR BAYOU, NEAR COVE, TEXAS		 A HUNGRY CREW, BACK FOR LUNCH
A HUNGRY CREW, BACK FOR LUNCH		 THE FEEDING CREW LADIES FILL UP THE CLAMSHELLS WITH FOOD FROM THE CAMBROS
THE FEEDING CREW LADIES FILL UP THE "CLAMSHELLS" WITH FOOD FROM THE CAMBROS
WASHING POTS, PANS AND CAMBROS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY ..... AND HAVING FUN DOING IT!
WASHING POTS, PANS AND CAMBROS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY ..... AND HAVING FUN DOING IT!		 AFTER LUNCH, A NEW JOB
AFTER LUNCH, A NEW JOB		 THE TEAM ASSESSES THE FLOODING DAMAGE
THE TEAM ASSESSES THE FLOODING DAMAGE		 MOST OF THE RUINED FLOORING HAD ALREADY BEEN REMOVED
MOST OF THE RUINED FLOORING HAD ALREADY BEEN REMOVED
ONLY THE SUB-FLOORING REMAINED THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE HOUSE
ONLY THE SUB-FLOORING REMAINED THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE HOUSE		 THE TEAM DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER WALLBOARD AND INSULATION HAD TO BE REMOVED TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MOLD
THE TEAM DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER WALLBOARD AND INSULATION HAD TO BE REMOVED TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MOLD		 CLEAN-UP WAS A TEDIOUS JOB ............
CLEAN-UP WAS A TEDIOUS JOB ............		 ............ AND A MESSY JOB!
............ AND A MESSY JOB!
THE ENTIRE LOWER WALLS AND INSULATION WERE HARBORING MOLD AND HAD TO BE REMOVED
THE ENTIRE LOWER WALLS AND INSULATION WERE HARBORING MOLD AND HAD TO BE REMOVED		 A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF TRINITY BAY, WHILE WE WORKED
A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF TRINITY BAY, WHILE WE WORKED		 THE GARAGE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY FLOODED AND PUSHED OFF ITS FOUNDATION
THE GARAGE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY FLOODED AND PUSHED OFF ITS FOUNDATION		 EVERYTHING IN THE GARAGE HAD BEEN SOAKED
EVERYTHING IN THE GARAGE HAD BEEN SOAKED
MORE RUINED ITEMS IN THE GARAGE
MORE RUINED ITEMS IN THE GARAGE		 ONE OF THE MANY TRAILER LOADS HEADED FOR THE DUMP
ONE OF THE MANY TRAILER LOADS HEADED FOR THE DUMP		 DESTROYED FENCING
DESTROYED FENCING		 THE BASEMENT HAD BEEN FLOODED AND WAS FILLED WITH MOLD
THE BASEMENT HAD BEEN FLOODED AND WAS FILLED WITH MOLD
THE BASEMENT FLOORING WAS ROTTED AND COVERED WITH MOLD
THE BASEMENT FLOORING WAS ROTTED AND COVERED WITH MOLD		 GETTING SOME FRESH AIR, AFTER WORKING IN THE BASEMENT
GETTING SOME FRESH AIR, AFTER WORKING IN THE BASEMENT		 ROTTED, MOLD-COVERED FLOORING WAS REMOVED FROM THE BASEMENT AND TAKEN TO THE DUMP
ROTTED, MOLD-COVERED FLOORING WAS REMOVED FROM THE BASEMENT AND TAKEN TO THE DUMP		 SOMEWHAT WORSE FOR THE WEAR, AFTER HOURS OF CLEANING UP THE BASEMENT
SOMEWHAT WORSE FOR THE WEAR, AFTER HOURS OF CLEANING UP THE BASEMENT
MANY TONS OF DIRT HAD TO BE HAULED IN TO REPLACE SOIL THAT HAD BEEN WASHED AWAY BY THE HURRICANE SURGE
MANY TONS OF DIRT HAD TO BE HAULED IN TO REPLACE SOIL THAT HAD BEEN WASHED AWAY BY THE HURRICANE SURGE		 GETTING A BIRD'S EYE VIEW
GETTING A "BIRD'S EYE" VIEW		 WORKING ON THE GARAGE DOOR
WORKING ON THE GARAGE DOOR		 PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL TO THE HOME OWNER AND HER NEIGHBOR
PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL TO THE HOME OWNER AND HER NEIGHBOR
THE TEAM LISTENS TO THE PRESENTATION
THE TEAM LISTENS TO THE PRESENTATION		 THE HOME OWNER WAS GIVEN A BIBLE, SIGNED BY ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS
THE HOME OWNER WAS GIVEN A BIBLE, SIGNED BY ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS		 GETTING READY FOR A NEW DAY'S WORK
GETTING READY FOR A NEW DAY'S WORK		 THEY WANT US TO DO WHAT ???
THEY WANT US TO DO WHAT ???
OUR NEXT JOB WAS A LOCAL CHURCH THAT HAD SUSTAINED WIND AND WATER DAMAGE
OUR NEXT JOB WAS A LOCAL CHURCH THAT HAD SUSTAINED WIND AND WATER DAMAGE		 GEARING UP FOR THE WORK AT THE CHURCH
GEARING UP FOR THE WORK AT THE CHURCH		 SUITING UP TO USE ONE OF THE CHAINSAWS
SUITING UP TO USE ONE OF THE CHAINSAWS		 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT ...... WAIT, NO! ..... JUST A LITTLE HELP WITH THE STRAPS ON THOSE PROTECTIVE CHAPS
"YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT ......" WAIT, NO! ..... JUST A LITTLE HELP WITH THE STRAPS ON THOSE PROTECTIVE CHAPS
HMMMM ..... WHERE TO BEGIN ???
HMMMM ..... WHERE TO BEGIN ???		 MANY OF THE DOWNED AND DAMAGED TREES WERE BEAUTIFUL CEDARS
MANY OF THE DOWNED AND DAMAGED TREES WERE BEAUTIFUL CEDARS		 WE CUT A FEW THIN SLABS OF CEDAR TO TAKE HOME
WE CUT A FEW THIN SLABS OF CEDAR TO TAKE HOME		 SOME REALLY BEAUTIFUL WOOD
SOME REALLY BEAUTIFUL WOOD
A BIG CUTTING JOB
A BIG CUTTING JOB		 WARNING SIGN, INSIDE THE CHURCH
WARNING SIGN, INSIDE THE CHURCH		 DUMPING THE WET MATERIALS THAT HAD BEEN TORN OUT
DUMPING THE WET MATERIALS THAT HAD BEEN TORN OUT		 PILES OF WET, MOLDY INSULATION AWAITING DISPOSAL
PILES OF WET, MOLDY INSULATION AWAITING DISPOSAL
DAMAGED CARPET
DAMAGED CARPET		 PICKING UP THE LITTLE PIECES ..... A TEDIOUS JOB!
PICKING UP THE LITTLE PIECES ..... A TEDIOUS JOB!		 DEBRIS IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH
DEBRIS IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH		 TOUGH ON YOUR BACK!
TOUGH ON YOUR BACK!
TAKING A WELL DESERVED BREAK
TAKING A WELL DESERVED BREAK		 BACK TO WORK, WITH WOOD CHIPS FLYING
BACK TO WORK, WITH WOOD CHIPS FLYING		 HAULING OFF THE BIG PIECES
HAULING OFF THE BIG PIECES		 A WHEELBARROW MAKES A NICE SEAT FOR SHARPENING THE CHAIN!
A WHEELBARROW MAKES A NICE SEAT FOR SHARPENING THE CHAIN!
PICKING UP THE PIECES
PICKING UP THE PIECES		 ONE OF THE MANY TRAILER LOADS
ONE OF THE MANY TRAILER LOADS		 DEFINITELY A TWO-MAN JOB ...... THREE, IF THESE GUYS WEREN'T SO STRONG!
DEFINITELY A TWO-MAN JOB ...... THREE, IF THESE GUYS WEREN'T SO STRONG!		 THE CHURCH'S FRONT YARD LOOKED MUCH BETTER WHEN WE LEFT!
THE CHURCH'S FRONT YARD LOOKED MUCH BETTER WHEN WE LEFT!
A TRICKY TREE REMOVAL BEGINS
A TRICKY TREE REMOVAL BEGINS		 ATTACHING THE STABILIZING ROPE
ATTACHING THE STABILIZING ROPE		 THE STABILIZING ROPE WAS ATTACHED TO A PICKUP TRUCK, TO ENSURE THE TREE FELL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ....... WE HOPED!
THE STABILIZING ROPE WAS ATTACHED TO A PICKUP TRUCK, TO ENSURE THE TREE FELL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ....... WE HOPED!		 SOME FINAL, DELICATE CUTS BEFORE FELLING THE TREE
SOME FINAL, DELICATE CUTS BEFORE FELLING THE TREE
THE WAITING BEGINS ...... WILL THE TREE FALL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
THE WAITING BEGINS ...... WILL THE TREE FALL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?		 THE TREE IS DOWN, WITH NO COLLATERAL DAMAGE!
THE TREE IS DOWN, WITH NO COLLATERAL DAMAGE!		 IT REALLY WAS CLOSE TO THE FENCE!
IT REALLY WAS CLOSE TO THE FENCE!		 OUR NEXT JOB ASSIGNMENT ...... A MOBILE HOME WITH A LEAKING ROOF
OUR NEXT JOB ASSIGNMENT ...... A MOBILE HOME WITH A LEAKING ROOF
HURRICANE IKE ALSO DAMAGED THE MOBILE HOME'S SKIRTING
HURRICANE IKE ALSO DAMAGED THE MOBILE HOME'S SKIRTING		 SCOPING OUT THE PROBLEM
SCOPING OUT THE PROBLEM		 BEGINNING THE TEMPORARY ROOF REPAIRS
BEGINNING THE TEMPORARY ROOF REPAIRS		 INSTALLING A FULL-ROOF COVERING WITH A TEMPORARY TARP
INSTALLING A FULL-ROOF COVERING WITH A TEMPORARY TARP
NOT NECESSARILY PRETTY, BUT IT WILL KEEP THE RAIN OUT
NOT NECESSARILY PRETTY, BUT IT WILL KEEP THE RAIN OUT		 DRIVING TO OUR NEXT JOB ASSIGNMENT
DRIVING TO OUR NEXT JOB ASSIGNMENT		 THIS HOUSE WAS REASONABLY INTACT, BUT HAD A LOT OF DOWNED TREES IN THE FRONT YARD
THIS HOUSE WAS REASONABLY INTACT, BUT HAD A LOT OF DOWNED TREES IN THE FRONT YARD		 YOU WANT ALL THAT DEBRIS CARRIED WHERE???
YOU WANT ALL THAT DEBRIS CARRIED WHERE???
THE BACKYARD OVERLOOKS TRINITY BAY, ACROSS FROM HOUSTON
THE BACKYARD OVERLOOKS TRINITY BAY, ACROSS FROM HOUSTON		 TOURING THE DAMAGE
TOURING THE DAMAGE		 A DEBRIS FIELD, CREATED BY HURRICANE IKE'S SURGE UP TRINITY BAY
A DEBRIS FIELD, CREATED BY HURRICANE IKE'S SURGE UP TRINITY BAY		 A MUCH DESERVED WATER BREAK ..... IT WAS HOT!
A MUCH DESERVED WATER BREAK ..... IT WAS HOT!
ME, ENJOYING THE NICE BREEZE OFF TRINITY BAY, DURING A RARE BREAK
ME, ENJOYING THE NICE BREEZE OFF TRINITY BAY, DURING A RARE BREAK		 ANCHORING STRAPS KEPT THIS MOBILE HOME FROM TURNING OVER, BUT DIDN'T DO MUCH ELSE TO PROTECT IT FROM THE FURY OF HURRICANE IKE
ANCHORING STRAPS KEPT THIS MOBILE HOME FROM TURNING OVER, BUT DIDN'T DO MUCH ELSE TO PROTECT IT FROM THE FURY OF HURRICANE IKE		 A BARBECUED CHICKEN DINNER FOR US
A BARBECUED CHICKEN DINNER FOR US		 THE FEEDING TEAM PREPARES ANOTHER EARLY MORNING BREAKFAST
THE FEEDING TEAM PREPARES ANOTHER EARLY MORNING BREAKFAST
HALF-ASLEEP WORKERS, WAITING FOR BREAKFAST TO BE SERVED
HALF-ASLEEP WORKERS, WAITING FOR BREAKFAST TO BE SERVED		 CONTACTING THE HOMEOWNER ABOUT A WORK ORDER
CONTACTING THE HOMEOWNER ABOUT A WORK ORDER		 READY FOR ANOTHER DAY OF WORK
READY FOR ANOTHER DAY OF WORK		 WE'RE NOT SURE THESE MAPQUEST DIRECTIONS ARE QUITE RIGHT
WE'RE NOT SURE THESE MAPQUEST DIRECTIONS ARE QUITE RIGHT
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR EYEGLASSES WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF AN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE INTO THE HOT, MUGGY EAST TEXAS AIR!
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR EYEGLASSES WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF AN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE INTO THE HOT, MUGGY EAST TEXAS AIR!		 ANOTHER JOB ASSIGNMENT LOCATION
ANOTHER JOB ASSIGNMENT LOCATION		 A LOT OF DOWNED AND DAMAGED TREES HERE
A LOT OF DOWNED AND DAMAGED TREES HERE		 FORMULATING A BATTLE PLAN FOR THE JOB
FORMULATING A "BATTLE PLAN" FOR THE JOB
SOME SERIOUS CUTTING AND DRAGGING REQUIRED HERE!
SOME SERIOUS CUTTING AND DRAGGING REQUIRED HERE!		 TREES AND LIMBS WERE DOWN EVERYWHERE
TREES AND LIMBS WERE DOWN EVERYWHERE		 A HOMEOWNER DESCRIBES THE CONDITIONS DURING THE HURRICANE
A HOMEOWNER DESCRIBES THE CONDITIONS DURING THE HURRICANE		 PILES OF DEBRIS TO BE HAULED OFF TO THE ROAD
PILES OF DEBRIS TO BE HAULED OFF TO THE ROAD
A FEW TEXAS RESIDENTS WE DIDN'T LIKE VERY MUCH!
A FEW TEXAS RESIDENTS WE DIDN'T LIKE VERY MUCH!		 BETTER START ANOTHER PILE
BETTER START ANOTHER PILE		 PULLING THE BIG PILES WITH THE TRUCK ELIMINATED HAVING TO STACK THE DEBRIS ONTO THE TRAILER
PULLING THE BIG PILES WITH THE TRUCK ELIMINATED HAVING TO STACK THE DEBRIS ONTO THE TRAILER		 A GREAT TIME AND WORK SAVER - IT WAS A LONG WAY TO THE MAIN ROAD
A GREAT TIME AND WORK SAVER - IT WAS A LONG WAY TO THE MAIN ROAD
STILL LOTS OF CUTTING TO DO!
STILL LOTS OF CUTTING TO DO!		 EVEN THE MINI-BUS WAS PRESSED INTO SERVICE!
EVEN THE MINI-BUS WAS PRESSED INTO SERVICE!		 A BIG CUTTING JOB!
A BIG CUTTING JOB!		 THE ROAD CREW, ARRANGING THE DEBRIS PILES AND KEEPING THE MAIN ROAD CLEAR
THE "ROAD CREW", ARRANGING THE DEBRIS PILES AND KEEPING THE MAIN ROAD CLEAR
CUTTING UP THE BIG PIECES AFTER THEY HAD BEEN DRAGGED TO THE ROAD BY THE TRUCK
CUTTING UP THE BIG PIECES AFTER THEY HAD BEEN DRAGGED TO THE ROAD BY THE TRUCK		 SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE PILES!
SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE PILES!		 THE BIG PIECE HAD FINALLY BEEN CUT AND NOW PRESENTED A CHALLENGE TO THE TRUCK CREW
THE BIG PIECE HAD FINALLY BEEN CUT AND NOW PRESENTED A CHALLENGE TO THE TRUCK CREW		 THE TEAM STOPPED BY LOWE'S TO PURCHASE NEW CHAINS FOR THE SAWS
THE TEAM STOPPED BY LOWE'S TO PURCHASE NEW CHAINS FOR THE SAWS
WHOA! ...... YOU'RE EVEN TAKING PICTURES IN HERE???
WHOA! ...... YOU'RE EVEN TAKING PICTURES IN HERE???		 HMMMM ..... THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHAINS!
HMMMM ..... THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHAINS!		 A METAL STORAGE BUILDING, MADE SOMEWHAT WORSE FOR THE WEAR BY HURRICANE IKE
A METAL STORAGE BUILDING, MADE SOMEWHAT WORSE FOR THE WEAR BY HURRICANE IKE		 A SMALL TEXAS TREE FROG, CLIMBING HIGHER TO ESCAPE THE CHAIN SAWS
A SMALL TEXAS TREE FROG, CLIMBING HIGHER TO ESCAPE THE CHAIN SAWS
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE IMAGE TO VISUALIZE BONE TIRED, THIS WOULD BE IT
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE IMAGE TO VISUALIZE "BONE TIRED", THIS WOULD BE IT		 COOLING DOWN AFTER A LONG, HOT DAY
COOLING DOWN AFTER A LONG, HOT DAY		 WINDING DOWN, AFTER A LONG, HOT DAY
WINDING DOWN, AFTER A LONG, HOT DAY		 THE TEAM LEFT THE PROPERTY IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN THEY FOUND IT
THE TEAM LEFT THE PROPERTY IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN THEY FOUND IT
THE FEEDING OPERATION MOVED FROM THE OLD K-MART PARKING LOT TO THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BAYTOWN
THE FEEDING OPERATION MOVED FROM THE OLD K-MART PARKING LOT TO THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BAYTOWN		 THE FEEDING LADIES GAVE ME A TEXAS POTATO! - (THE PENNY ON THE PLATE HELPS SHOW ACTUAL SIZE)
THE FEEDING LADIES GAVE ME A "TEXAS POTATO"! - (THE PENNY ON THE PLATE HELPS SHOW ACTUAL SIZE)		 ONE OF THE HOMEOWNERS BAKED OUR TEAM A HUGE CAKE, TO SHOW HER APPRECIATION
ONE OF THE HOMEOWNERS BAKED OUR TEAM A HUGE CAKE, TO SHOW HER APPRECIATION		 ANOTHER HOMEOWNER, OBVIOUSLY A FAN OF THE KING, GAVE US A THANK-YOU CARD
ANOTHER HOMEOWNER, OBVIOUSLY A FAN OF "THE KING", GAVE US A THANK-YOU CARD
RELAXING, TALKING WITH BARBIE, AT THE END OF A LONG DAY
RELAXING, TALKING WITH "BARBIE", AT THE END OF A LONG DAY		 AN UNPLEASENT SURPRISE ON THURSDAY MORNING
AN UNPLEASENT SURPRISE ON THURSDAY MORNING		 SEEING THAT MORE DRASTIC MEASURES WERE NEEDED, OUR TEAM CLIMBED ON TOP TO ASSESS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM
SEEING THAT MORE DRASTIC MEASURES WERE NEEDED, OUR TEAM CLIMBED ON TOP TO ASSESS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM		 THE PROBLEM HAVING BEEN PROPERLY ASSESSED, OUT CAME THE UBIQUITOUS BLUE TARP
THE PROBLEM HAVING BEEN PROPERLY ASSESSED, OUT CAME THE UBIQUITOUS BLUE TARP
GOOD JOB GUYS ...... NOW WE HAVE THE ONLY A-FRAME BUNK TRAILER IN EXISTENCE!
GOOD JOB GUYS ...... NOW WE HAVE THE ONLY A-FRAME BUNK TRAILER IN EXISTENCE!		 NO RAIN CAN STOP ME, AS LONG AS I HAVE MY FRIEND, MICKEY!
NO RAIN CAN STOP ME, AS LONG AS I HAVE MY FRIEND, MICKEY!		 THE TEAM PRAYS WITH THE HOMEOWNER, BEFORE STARTING THE DAY'S WORK
THE TEAM PRAYS WITH THE HOMEOWNER, BEFORE STARTING THE DAY'S WORK		 A LITTLE DRIZZLE CAN'T STOP OUR FOLKS!
A LITTLE DRIZZLE CAN'T STOP OUR FOLKS!
ONE OF MANY LOADS OF DEBRIS TAKEN TO THE ROADSIDE
ONE OF MANY LOADS OF DEBRIS TAKEN TO THE ROADSIDE		 SADLY, ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CEDAR TREES
SADLY, ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CEDAR TREES		 PULLING DOWN BROKEN BRANCHES AND VINES WITH A PICKUP TRUCK
PULLING DOWN BROKEN BRANCHES AND VINES WITH A PICKUP TRUCK		 SEARCHING FOR A LOST CELL PHONE
SEARCHING FOR A LOST CELL PHONE
THE CHAGRINED OWNER IS FINALLY REUNITED WITH HIS CELL PHONE!
THE CHAGRINED OWNER IS FINALLY REUNITED WITH HIS CELL PHONE!		 OUR TEAM LEADERS, REVIEWING THE NEXT JOB ASSIGNMENT WORK ORDER
OUR TEAM LEADERS, REVIEWING THE NEXT JOB ASSIGNMENT WORK ORDER		 THE MAPQUEST DIRECTIONS ALWAYS LOOKED RELATIVELY SIMPLE, BUT OUR DIRECTIONALLY-CHALLENGED TEAM USUALLY MANAGED TO GET LOST!
THE MAPQUEST DIRECTIONS ALWAYS LOOKED RELATIVELY SIMPLE, BUT OUR DIRECTIONALLY-CHALLENGED TEAM USUALLY MANAGED TO GET LOST!		 A QUICK GLANCE TOLD US OUR NEXT JOB WAS GOING TO BE A BIG ONE
A QUICK GLANCE TOLD US OUR NEXT JOB WAS GOING TO BE A BIG ONE
HURRICANE IKE BROUGHT SOME SERIOUS WIND TO THIS AREA
HURRICANE IKE BROUGHT SOME SERIOUS WIND TO THIS AREA		 WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE THAN A CHAINSAW FOR THIS TREE!
WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE THAN A CHAINSAW FOR THIS TREE!		 WHERE TO BEGIN???
WHERE TO BEGIN???		 IN SOME PARTS OF THE PROPERTY, THERE WAS SO MUCH DEBRIS WE COULDN'T EVEN SEE THE GROUND
IN SOME PARTS OF THE PROPERTY, THERE WAS SO MUCH DEBRIS WE COULDN'T EVEN SEE THE GROUND
GEARING UP FOR THE JOB
GEARING UP FOR THE JOB		 THE GARAGE WAS A BIT WORSE FOR THE WEAR!
THE GARAGE WAS A BIT WORSE FOR THE WEAR!		 THE GARAGE LOOKED A LITTLE BETTER AFTER WE GOT THE BIG STUFF OFF OF IT, BUT IT WAS STILL PRETTY FLAT!
THE GARAGE LOOKED A LITTLE BETTER AFTER WE GOT THE BIG STUFF OFF OF IT, BUT IT WAS STILL PRETTY FLAT!		 LINING UP FOR A PIECE OF LOG TO CARRY TO THE ROAD
LINING UP FOR A PIECE OF LOG TO CARRY TO THE ROAD
MAYBE NEXT TIME WE CAN BRING A BIGGER CHAINSAW???
MAYBE NEXT TIME WE CAN BRING A BIGGER CHAINSAW???		 CUTTING UP A DEAD TREE IN SNAKE COUNTRY
CUTTING UP A DEAD TREE IN "SNAKE COUNTRY"		 NOW, THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FUN!
NOW, THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FUN!		 A WELL DESERVED WATER BREAK
A WELL DESERVED WATER BREAK
DURING A WORK BREAK, THE HOMEOWNER ENTERTAINED THE TEAM WITH SOME GOOD TEXAS HUMOR
DURING A WORK BREAK, THE HOMEOWNER ENTERTAINED THE TEAM WITH SOME GOOD TEXAS HUMOR		 IF THERE WASN'T ROOM TO PULL IT DOWN WITH THE TRUCK, WE DID IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY ...... WITH A HUMAN ROPE LINE!
IF THERE WASN'T ROOM TO PULL IT DOWN WITH THE TRUCK, WE DID IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY ...... WITH A HUMAN ROPE LINE!		 A NICE VISIT BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP THIS HOMEOWNER
A NICE VISIT BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP THIS HOMEOWNER		 THE HOMEOWNER DOES ARTWORK AND CRAFTS WITH WOOD ..... SHE WILL HAVE LOTS OF MATERIAL AVAILABLE FOR A LONG TIME!
THE HOMEOWNER DOES ARTWORK AND CRAFTS WITH WOOD ..... SHE WILL HAVE LOTS OF MATERIAL AVAILABLE FOR A LONG TIME!
A PINK ROSE OF TEXAS, GROWING IN THE HOMEOWNER'S YARD - A SMALL BIT OF BEAUTY, AMID THE DESTRUCTION
A PINK ROSE OF TEXAS, GROWING IN THE HOMEOWNER'S YARD - A SMALL BIT OF BEAUTY, AMID THE DESTRUCTION		 VISITING A LOCAL CHURCH THAT HAD SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE
VISITING A LOCAL CHURCH THAT HAD SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE		 ALMOST ALL THE CHURCH'S INTERIOR SPACES HAD TO BE COMPLETELY GUTTED, INCLUDING THE SANCTUARY
ALMOST ALL THE CHURCH'S INTERIOR SPACES HAD TO BE COMPLETELY GUTTED, INCLUDING THE SANCTUARY		 PORTIONS OF THE CHURCH'S INTERIOR WALLS AND INSULATION HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO PREVENT FURTHER MOLD GROWTH
PORTIONS OF THE CHURCH'S INTERIOR WALLS AND INSULATION HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO PREVENT FURTHER MOLD GROWTH
TEAM MEMBERS TALK WITH THE CHURCH PASTOR AND A CHURCH MEMBER
TEAM MEMBERS TALK WITH THE CHURCH PASTOR AND A CHURCH MEMBER		 FINDING THE TRUE PERSPECTIVE
FINDING THE TRUE PERSPECTIVE		 PACKING UP TO GO HOME ...... WITH PLANT SEEDS AND CUTTINGS!
PACKING UP TO GO HOME ...... WITH PLANT SEEDS AND CUTTINGS!		 BACK HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA ...... AT LAST!
BACK HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA ...... AT LAST!

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Bill McClung13-Jan-2009 01:43
Lynn: The photo of the church sign was taken through a thick and VERY heavily tinted church bus window, as we pulled out of the parking lot. The angle of the camera to the window created some strange distortion. Also, the color was so weird (mostly green), I converted it to B&W.
Ann Crosby 05-Jan-2009 18:01
To my sweet Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I happened to find these pictures today as I was looking for pictures from Baytown to check on the damage and the clean-up from Hurricane Ike. I grew up in Baytown on Trinity Bay so it was wonderful seeing the pictures from that area. (You may be able to recognize homesickness.) If you have any more, I would like to see them if possible. Bless you for the work that you do. I have friends here in Atlanta who also work on Disaster Relief teams. What a blessing!!
Kim Hofstetter 21-Nov-2008 19:46
I live here in Baytown and though we did not have extensive damage to our property or home I can't tell you how GRATEFUL I am that you came to help those in desperate need. I was so touched and, quite frank, suprised that people from so far away came to help.
Please keep this area in your prayers, there are people still without homes, living in tents, lots of people having problems with their insurance company, and some still with no hope.
God Bless YOU ALL!!
Jim Mc Mahon 26-Oct-2008 19:26
Great job for a Great deed Bill. Our Church does something similar but what impressed me was the maturity of most of your members. Ours are mostly young people with few gray hairs. The pictures are fantastic as always. God Bless you and your team, however I know He already has!!
The 400 and 800 shots blow me away. I've got to find out your workflow?
Judith Barnett25-Oct-2008 16:15
You did an incredible job of documenting a horrendous situation and I am sure all your efforts will never be forgotten by those people so devastated by hurricane Ike.
Isabel Cutler25-Oct-2008 11:02
An incredible record of an amazing group of people by an amazing camera and photographer! What an all-round rewarding experience this must have been for you (and the rest of the crew!) After seeing the quality of these pictures I hope Panasonic doesn't raise the price of the LX3. It's a steal.
Isabel
Guest 24-Oct-2008 17:19
Thanks for posting these amazing photos .
click on thumbnails for full image