Port Charlotte, FL – Oct. 6-12, 2024

The week began with news of the impending hurricane Milton. 

Milton with its dire forecast would be descending upon the Port Charlotte area midweek. 

The entire volunteer team became increasingly concerned for the safety of all peoples in the predicted impact area. That area continued to highlight the predicted impact as being the mid to upper west coast of Florida. 

As the team awaited further guidance for the volunteers, a decision was made to move the MDS vehicles inland to Immokalee. A caravan then left Monday with a safe delivery of all vehicles. 

A big thank you to Galen and Donna Gockley who used their 1-ton pickup to move the shower trailer. The Gockley’s had come from upstate New York to their Winter home in Arcadia. Members of the team had decided to go to Sunday services at Pine Creek Chaple in Arcadia. While eating at the fellowship meal a call came in to see if someone attending Church knew of anyone who might move this trailer. With a quick shoulder tap Galen agreed -this was  a God sign to the team. 

Without RV’s or bunk Trailers the team hunkered down at the Wintergarden Church. Here sleep was on bunk mattresses. At this juncture it was thought that the team would continue to stay through the storm within the walls of the Church. Milton however was growing into a much greater danger with a10-12-foot storm surge predicted from a category 5 hurricane. 

With this information the team was comforted to learn that we would be evacuating to Homestead Mennonite Church in Homestead Florida. 

This was Tuesday the 8th of October with landfall predicted Wednesday afternoon to evening. Still unpredictable, the hurricane continued to be an unknown stressor to the team. Bags were packed with haste. All outdoor hazards were noted and contained. Every volunteer and their belongings were accounted for as the team members loaded into the vehicles. Many prayers were lifted up on behalf of the team and for the peoples left behind. 

In a reverse role from 1992 ‘s Hurricane Andrew Homestead Mennonite welcomed us with open arms. How wonderful it was that the MDS Leadership was lead to bring the team here, safe and away from all life’s fears. 

The team overnighted 2 nights at the Church. Staying with some of the local folks who were homeless gave our mission a different focus and meaningful way to show God’s love to a different community. 

Thursday brought the news of the devastation from the hurricane and a renewed desire from all the team members to return to Port Charlotte. News from Wintergarden Pastor Devon was welcomed all were safe!!! Much debris and many homes with damage, however no fatalities. Praise God. 

One problem; no power. The team quickly set up generators to power some of the church and the RV’s and bunkhouses, no A/C though. 

PD Rollin Ulrich, Construction supervisor David Norris and Crew Leaders Jeff Mosier and Joval Hartsock immediately began plans for evaluating established job card sites as well as new sites. Calls started to come in from local folks who knew how to contact the PD. 

Friday the crews left the base camp into the areas of Venice and Port Charlotte. Crew Leader Jeff Mosier was stopped on the street by a woman who stopped her car and went to the MDS truck asking for help. 

In total Rollin Ulrich and teams added 10 job cards. 

Cooks Kathy and Steve Rhodes dealt with limited refrigeration and food yet fed all the team fantastic meals. 

Did the power come on? Not yet. 

Respectfully submitted Office Manager MDS Port Charlotte Florida; 

Jean L. Lee-Mosier