WS Chronicle

The Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity (MCWSV) made a call for assistance for disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in the Houston area.  This past Sunday the volunteers set off for Houston followed by a truck full of supplies and clothing.

Dr. Lamonte Williams, president of the MCWSV, says the plan is to stop in a town named Rose City, Texas, which is 45 minutes outside of Houston, first because the city was devastated by the storm.  They will then head to Houston’s First Baptist Church to work on the next day’s plan of action.

“The pastor in Houston has already set up for us an orientation to get us acclimated of what to do and what not to do along with what to expect when we go out working,” Williams said.  “We are ultimately trying to figure out how as citizens here we can go and say to them that they are not alone.  The best way is to get on the ground and meet them where they are.”

According to Williams, once they reach the city of Houston, some of the volunteers will head to Beaumont while others will head to Port Arthur, Texas, to assist with relief efforts there.  They will help with clean up so that reconstruction can begin on those buildings that are still habitable.  The remainder of their time in Texas will be spent in Houston.

Williams says they will not only assist with the churches and schools in the area but will also help with local communities with clean up efforts.

“We have enough people to be able to go to the churches along with enough people to go out to the community to help those homeowners as well,” said Williams.  “We have a dual plan and we know that when the faith community rises and gets back operable, it’s beneficial to everyone, so that’s our ultimate goal.”

The volunteers were excited to get to the areas of need.  They were all ready and willing to help in any capacity they are needed.  James Lamont, one of the volunteers, says he was motivated to take the trip because he could no longer stand by and watch people suffer.

“I was trying to hold off and wait for the recovery in Florida but the devastation there wasn’t quite as bad so my wife suggested that I take the trip to Houston,” Lamont said.  “I am retired and have a lot of time on my hands so I figured I would do something worthwhile.”

Some of the volunteers were from the faith community in the city.  Pastor Ed Allen of Ambassadors Cathedral was one of the riders on the bus to Houston.

“Part of Dr. Williams’ legacy is helping people and as long as I’ve known him he has tried to be a blessing to someone else, and that falls in line with what I try to do,” said Allen.  “When the Lord changes your life, your perspectives on life change, also, so to be able to go and be a blessing to someone with the gifts you have has always been my desire.”

Allen says it is important for men and woman of God to be a part of this trip to provide a sense of leadership.  He said he doesn’t mind being a blessing to someone else.

There were also many young people among the volunteers headed to Houston.  Montana So, an 18-year-old freshman at Piedmont International University, said he wanted to assist so that he could expand his reach not only in this area but also with people he doesn’t know.

“To be young and be on fire for God, it is important to not just express your passion for God on a microphone but also through feeding someone or helping someone rebuild what they lost,” said So.  “When people see you in action, they are inspired to be involved, and hopefully that’s what will happen here.”