Soma Austin

"This is unprecedented fire behavior. No one on the face of this Earth has ever fought fires in these extreme conditions". - Texas Forest Service on September 6th

We have all seen the devastating effects of the many fires in Central Texas. In the past 5 days over 24 homes have been lost in Steiner Ranch (plus 20 heavily damaged), more in Cedar Park and Leander, and at last count a massive fire in Bastrop has taken over 1,400 homes (likely to rise), displaced thousands and destroyed over 38,000 acres. The fire itselt has a 50 mile perimeter and is still only 30% contained. Which means that 15 miles of perimeter is no longer advancing, but 35 miles of the perimeter is still spreading.

Wednesday night I (along with Nate Schlueter, Joshua Mauk and Eddie Salvattore) drove to Bastrop and pulled an all-nighter to relieve a pastor and his volunteers. Their church was being used as an informal shelter and they hadnt' rested or slept much in several days. We were glad to offer some rest for them.

While there I thought about my initial response when I was called to help out. It went something like, "I've already got a full week, and I am already tired." Thankfully God didn't leave me there, but rather reminded me that if there were a fire in my neighborhood I would be thankful for people in Bastrop to help out. We need to ask ourselves, "How would we want others to respond if we had a fire?" And then we need to do that. That's really the end of the discussion. I know everyone is busy, but fires don't care.

So what can you do?

Pray, Grieve & Worship

Please don't just feel bad for those affected, pray for them. I mean actually pray for them. Not just 'God help them.' That's a good start but pray for them, the firefighters, volunteers, pastors, government workers and all involved in this response.

Grieve with them. Many of those affected are grieving the loss of property, ways of life and some are grieving the loss of life. Over 1,600 homes total destroyed, more 5,000 displaces and nearly 1,000 students will start school next week homeless, sleeping on a cot, in a stranger home or staying with family or friends possibly miles from the home and community they once knew.

Worship with them because we have hope. Hope for renewal, redemption and hope in Jesus. There will be countless stories of God's sweet presence amidst destruction. Many will draw more closely to God as a result of hard times. At this time, death, destruction and brokenness continues to have its day. But in the end, there will be no more fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, no more tears, no more mourning, no more death. Worship and pray for that day.

Our Short Term Response

Partner with the Austin Disaster Relief Network

 ADRN is uniquely set up to help churches in Central Texas work with Red Cross and other government agencies in responding to disasters. They will be working closely with many families, both in the immediate response and long term rebuilding.

• Financial Donations: If you would like to make a cash donation to the Greater Austin/Bastrop Fire Relief Fund, in order to begin rebuilding the lives of those affected by this catastrophic disaster, please go here.
• Other Donations Needed: Diapers, Baby Food, Adult Food (non-perishable), Trash Cans, Heavy Duty Trash Bags, Kennels for Dogs, Clorox Wipes, Gifts for Kids, Work Gloves, Gatorade, and Water
  
  Nearest Drop-Off Locations (updated locations)
  Oak Hill United Methodist Church (7815 Hwy. 290, Austin, TX 78749, 290/71), M-Th 9AM-5PM, Fri. 9AM-12PM
  Church of the Resurrection (2008 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757, Burnet/2222), M-F, 9AM-6PM
  Rundell Business Park (704 Hwy. 71 West, Bastrop, TX 78602), M-F, 11AM-9PM (512-332-8661)
  
  ADRN Warehouse Drop-Off Sites (All Locations: M-F, 9AM-8PM, Sat. 9AM-6PM)
  Celebration Warehouse (610 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown, 78626)
  Oak Meadow Baptist Church Warehouse (6905 S. IH-35, Austin, 78744)
  Austaco/Taco Bell Warehouse (1905 S. Cap. of Tx Hwy, Austin, 78746)
  
  Other Drop-Off Options
  Capital Area Food Bank, (8201 South Congress Austin, TX) FOOD & CLOTHING ONLY
• Volunteer:  Warehouse volunteers are needed for the ADRN Warehouse Drop-Off Sites.  To sign up for a shift at the S. Capital of Texas site, please click here.  For the Oak Meadow Baptist Church site, please click here.
  
  CISM or Red Cross Shelter Volunteers
  If you are a trained Red Cross Shelter Volunteer or if you have been trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training and would like to volunteer your time, please email us at .
  
  Provide Meals
  We are in need of people who are willing to help provide meals for key volunteers. This may be purchasing or preparing a meal, or getting a local business to donate a meal. More info here and be sure to call in advance to confirm that they still need the food and how much.
  
  Volunteer Hotline: 512-331-2200

Feel free to contact others in your Soma Group (or contact your group leader) and do this alongside others in your Soma Austin community.

Our Long Term Response

Today, many families are being allowed back into the fire areas to view the potential damage. Pastor and Criticial Incident Stress Management volunteers are onsite today and tomorrow in Bastrop County to help people emotionally and spiritually. After the fires are contained (will likely be several more days) there will be a need for rebuilding and renewal.

At this time we have not been given information for the rebuilding step, but if you would like to contribute during this phase, please fill out the information below:

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