Austin Missionary Work

Austin Mar Thoma Church Volunteer work in Bastrop, Texas
Wildfire Clean up – Neighbourhood Ministry
On Sunday, September 4, 2011, a wildfire engulfed Bastrop, Texas, and by September 30th, it had destroyed 1,645 homes, burned 34,068 acres, and killed two people. Bastrop is about 30 miles east of Austin, TX. This tragedy created a need for a massive effort to clean up the debris from the fire so that reconstruction and healing can begin.

Mr. Gary Smith, a prostrate cancer patient is one of the victims. His entire house along with other structures on his two acre property were reduced to a rubble. He had lived in the house for over 29 years. On November 19, 2011, fourteen Austin Mar Thoma Church members under the leadership of Vicar Rev. John N. Abraham along with three local volunteers cleaned up all remaining debris from Gary’s property.

Paige, an experienced local volunteer, served as the onsite team coordinator. The cleanup would help to bring closer the dream of rebuilding the city. The large scale volunteer program was coordinated by AmeriCorps, a national organization that works with nonprofit and community groups to assist in disaster relief. The Parishioners committed to participate in this neighbourhood ministry.

The highlight of the day was when Mr. Smith visited the site and personally thanked all the volunteers and prayed with us. He requested Austin Mar Thoma Church members to keep him in the prayers. The Austin Mar Thoma Church volunteers worked from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., cutting and hauling trees, sorting metal, glass, concrete and loading them into trailers or taking it to the curbside. The scrap metal was sold at a recycling center and the money given to the homeowner. All the participants felt that this was a very rewarding experience serving our
brothers and sisters in Christ who are in physical need.

We thank God for giving us this opportunity to give something back to our community in the time of their need.
Rev. John N. Abraham, Vicar, Austin MTC