Over the past several years, the Hope Crisis Response Network has had an amazing impact in the lives of thousands of people. From the tragic events of 9-11 to small towns swept away by tornadoes. HCRN continues to be "A Beacon of Hope in Times of Great Need."

I would like to take a moment to tell you about one family, in particular that touched our lives. Last spring, tornadoes pummeled the Midwest in an outbreak that stretched for two weeks. This devastating storm system wiped out small towns across several states. I received an e-mail from a church that was requesting help in opening and supplying an emergency shelter for their city. They had obtained a former hospital that needed some renovation before it was safe to house people. We quickly orchestrated a work team that headed out. What an amazing team of Christian men!! They were gifted plumbers, construction and electrical workers. In a matter of 18 hours, this team renovated a wing of that deserted hospital and made allowance for an additional 120 people to receive food and shelter.

For some of our team members, it was their first mission trip, but I guarantee that it won't be their last. When we arrived, we were weeping tears of sorrow, but with the shelter up and running, we were weeping tears of joy.

After wrapping up at the shelter, we headed out to the disaster sites to see if we could help with some clean-up there for the remainder of our trip. We saw first hand the devastation of the F-5 tornado that barreled through the area. The tornado's width was about 2 ½ miles and it ran along the ground for about 65 miles. This was definitely one of the worst disasters I had seen in person. Homes were completely taken, cars crushed. The sight of up-rooted trees and empty foundations was very emotional.

We stopped to talk with a family who was gathered around a make-shift campsite. One of the ladies was in a wheel chair. As we approached, we could see they were uncomfortable with our presence.

We talked with the family and learned the storm had taken not only their home and all their possessions but it had also killed their 7 year old son. The family that lived next door was the parents of the boy's mom. Her dad was in the hospital with a broken neck, although he had not been paralyzed by his injuries. Her mother was also hospitalized.

The tragedy continued though, as it turned out their 7-year old son wasn't the only one to die on their property. As they began to clean up after the storm, they found the bodies of the young couple from across the street, crushed under one of their trees and above them, the body of their 5 month old son, impaled on the tree. They also found the lifeless body of their cousin, who lived just two doors down the street.

I share this with you because I want you to understand what we are involved with in the field. To continue the story, we were able to help this family through this unbelievable crisis, mentally and spiritually, along with helping them get back on their feet financially. Through your generous contributions, we were able to move this family into an apartment, fill it with furniture, clothing and food, but more importantly, to show them the love of Christ. This is just one story out of many from the lives we have touched.

We so desperately need your prayers as we continue this ministry. Will you continue to pray for us? God has blessed us and has met every need along the way, and we give him the praise that He so richly deserves.

Please pray for the following needs:

1. That we can continue to meet the needs of those affected by disaster.
2. New Equipment. We are in need of a 15 passenger van and a 16ft. trailer.
3. Relationships. Pray that we can continue to be a resource to the Church, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Etc.
4. For the victims of disasters. That we live 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5
5. And finally our finances.

For His Glory,

Kevin Cox
HCRN
P. O. Box 2123
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-522-2547
Kevin@hcrn.info