After much searching and many phone calls, BR has made contact with several sites in Ohio that suffered damage from the tornadoes last weekend.   Currently the plan is to travel to Walbridge, OH, meeting at the First Street Church (www.firststreetlife.org) where Carol and Pastor Tom are coordinating releif efforts for the community.   Additionally there are a few other sites to the west of Toledo, and one in Michigan that have requested assistance.  I must say that until i spoke with Carol, I was uncertain if things would pan out, but she has nothing but helpful in finding a place for us to work/help.

Given that this will be my first BR releif trip, I'm certain I'm overplanning my travel bag, supplies, etc.  I'll have to go back through and take a "rough it" approach to clothing.  The problem is that I really have no idea what to expect and as such am trying to plan for anything and everything.  For instance, if it rains, I may need one more set of clothes than i planned for, afterall, who wants to be wet after a day of work?  Maybe its just me, but i'm planning to take the tent as we're unsure of where we're staying; and I'll take some granola bars for breakfast in case nothing else is available..  On benefit, I'll have the car, so I can stock it with some essentials before we leave.

I hope to take the laptop with me so that I can post from Ohio, but some of the areas we've contacted have indicated that their phones and internet have been down.  If we can't connect, then I'll post upon return (something I need to do more of).

Other things going on:  With JRs return from Haiti and the new trip to Ohio planned for this weekend, I called the local radio station who asked us if we want to do the live call in show tomorrow.  Will run this by Jim tonight when we discuss the current plan.   New information/needs are coming in every day so the "plan" seems to be constantly changing.   Just glad we can go and help in some small way.

-Nate