While we are praising the Lord the first team from Hillsdale is beginning a second day assisting Lighthouse Baptist Church, Panama City and their neighbors, the reality is the scope and demand is far greater than we imagined.

In addition to assisting many, especially widows and the elderly with removing trees from rooftops and driveways, our first team has begun to provide for 30-50 workers and neighbors at mealtimes. We planned financially to feed our work teams; however, the reality is, without electricity, food has spoiled and people are looking to Hillsdale for meals in the area.

We anticipate other groups, as well as the National Guard, will arrive toward the weekend; however, until they do our Hillsdale team encampment is the site for many to come for meals as they work to help themselves and their neighbors.

Our second team leaves Wednesday morning and we will send up coolers full of sliced meats, bread, and all the fixings for sandwiches. In addition, we are providing breakfast and require eggs, etc…

Pastor Peterman is working diligently, but he will welcome assistance as he is making purchases and packing (CALL THE OFFICE – 813-884-8250).  We are receiving a donation of Dry Ice, but we need large coolers today for tomorrow’s journey to Panama City.

We welcome donations either online at http://www.HillsdaleBaptist.org (look for the Donations button in the upper right corner, follow instructions, and at “Other” type in Disaster Relief).  Of course you are welcome to either mail or drop off your donation at our office at 6201 Ehrlich Rd., Tampa, FL 33624.

With the heart of a shepherd,

Pastor Travis D. Smith