Get In The Car Missions

[Get In The Car]

The much anticipated Get In The Car 12 over 12 outline is complete.
Currently we are still looking for leaders, volunteers and donations for this endeavor.


What the 12 over 12 represents is an effort to keep focus on the Gulf Coast’s recovery from both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita some 2 ½ years ago. With all the focus usually applied to the “latest” disaster focus and direction are starting to fade from what transpired along the Gulf Coast. For those of you who have been there know that the expected time frame for completion, if you can call it that, is anywhere from 10 years to 20 years depending on the agency you speak to and the further we move from the date of the disaster the more people along the Coast are being forgotten about.
This to us is unacceptable.

We are blessed here in Michigan to not have to deal with the type of disasters most of the country has to deal with and ours are mostly short term. Imagine leaving your house in the middle of the night and returning a day or two later to nothing more than the foundation and battered memories strewn across miles of your neighborhood.

What would you do and how would you feel? This is a question I am not capable of answering.

That notwithstanding, we here at GITC have made a commitment to the Gulf to send at least two teams a year until they either ask us to move in or get out.

What has happened under our feet is this; from one team each March and October to the step in faith to organize the GITC 12 over 12.

This is a twelve team over twelve week long term mission project using short term teams to accomplish the goal of attempting to put one family back into their home. Starting on the roof and ending with the home rededication.
We will be working through/with the NORTHSHORE DISASTER RECOVERY Center in Louisiana to coordinate the project and they are, to say the least, excited to have us working on this project with them. NSDRI is an incredible agency and we have worked with them in the past.

Even if we are not successful in traveling all twelve teams and rededicating a home, the people along the Coast will know that we have not forgotten them and there is still hope for them in the teams that travel.

As you will see in the outline there is a lot of information, but all included this should make our efforts a little smoother. We expect hurdles along the way and as we all stand by, those that are flexible can bend and not break. We will adjust as we move forward.

In conjunction with the 12 over 12 mission teams, THE THIRD ANNUAL SPIRIT’S FIRE BICYCLE FUNDRAISER will be held this year on August 23rd and all proceeds will benefit the 12 over 12 program. Our goal this year is $20,000.00 (the approximate cost of putting a family back into their home).

The ride is a 25-50-100-ANY Mile ride on the beautiful Pere-Marqutte Rail-Trail Path. This is a one day event and all levels of riders are encouraged to participate.

We ask that all riders attempt to raise $125.00 in pledges (more if they can) and fill out the required forms which can be obtained from the website, later next week. Individuals, tandems, teams, and clubs are welcome and in the past the Boy Scouts have used this event for a merit badge so if you know any scouts let them know.

Time is drawing near and the first team is set to depart on September 13th, 2008 and are scheduled through December 14th.

PLEASE TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW and also inform them if they would like us to speak to them about this opportunity or missions in general we will come to them to. We are prepared for just about any length of time they would need us for and for any group they have such as UMW – Youth and so on.

If you are interested in volunteering on a team or leading a team please email:

Eric Miller: eric@getinthecar.org
or
Christie Bowden: christie@getinthecar.org
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"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5: 11