Partnering with Houston

Since late August, we have been praying for those impacted by hurricanes that caused devastation in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. We prayed that God would stop the storms or drastically change their paths; and protect these areas, sparing them from destruction. Here in Minnesota, we can’t begin to understand the magnitude and force of hurricanes. However, we understand the fear in the voices of our friends and partners in Puerto Rico, who reminded us to keep praying.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been praying that God would help us at YouthWorks know our role in responding to the magnitude of these disasters. Watching the devastation, displacement and crisis caused by these hurricanes places in each of us a sense of engagement that propels us into action. We pray. We give money. We send resources. And we show up.

There’s a fine line, for short-term mission groups like YouthWorks, between doing our ministry and becoming relief organizations when disaster and crisis hit. So, I’ll be very clear: YouthWorks is not a relief agency. We are a partner organization, and we seek to come alongside those who ask for help. We will always humbly serve and join the work that God is doing.

Our best way to respond right now is to invite you to the Southeast Texas area, where we’re starting two new sites — Houston Area – Site One and Houston Area – Site Two — in support of two different communities who have reached out to YouthWorks and made clear their need for help.

We want you to bring your church’s high school students, college students and adults on this trip. We are broadening our usual trip participant make-up beyond teenagers so we can expand our reach and have a greater impact on the work needed by our partners. We also want to give financially to these rebuilding efforts, so all net proceeds from the cost of your trip this summer will be given directly to the community.

Like our response in communities on the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Katrina, and our ministry on the Jersey Shore following Hurricane Sandy, our service and partnership extended years beyond each respective crisis. South and Southeast Texas have years of rehabilitation ahead to restore portions of the affected areas back to their pre-hurricane condition. YouthWorks is committed to partnering with these communities for as long as we are asked and for as long as you are willing to help rebuild. You can read more about what we’ve learned about relief and rehabilitation on our blog.

I hope you’ll join us.