Floridians are still suffering from Hurricane Michael and have been completely forgotten by the national media. Michael broke multiple pressure and wind speed records as it tore into the panhandle on October 10, 2018 as the first-ever category 4 hurricane to hit the area. Its path of destruction amounted to an estimated $14.5 billion in damage—so much of it still remains to be addressed. Along the Panhandle, the cities of Mexico Beach and Panama City Beach suffered the worst of Michael from catastrophic storm surges that swept through. Many residents in this area could not afford insurance and were left on their own to fend for themselves. Forward Edge feels called to respond in these cities to provide help and hope.
This is where you come in! Regardless of the skills you have or don’t have, together we can provide free labor to clean up debris, gut homes, install new insulation and hang new sheet rock. The focus will be assisting the most vulnerable in Panama City Beach: the uninsured, widows, seniors, single moms, and low-income families. These individuals and families need hope. Teams will have the opportunity to pray, encourage, and work for those who have suffered so much.
Forward Edge has a rich history of Phase II disaster-recovery work, assisting disaster victims long after first responders have left.
Any team of 10 or more is invited to serve in Florida. Total trip cost for each team member is $695 if you drive to locations or $995 if you fly (since we then provide ground transportation.
IMPORTANT DATES
60 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE
30 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE
Trip Fee Includes:
Trip Fee Doesn’t Include:
Regardless of the skills you have or don’t have, together we can provide the free labor needed to clean up debris, gut homes, install new insulation and hang new sheet rock. The focus will be assisting the most vulnerable in Panama City Beach: the uninsured, widows, seniors, single moms, and low-income families. These individuals and families need hope. Teams will have the opportunity to pray, encourage, and work for those who have suffered so much.
Teams will be staying at The Ark (a faith-based coffee shop with housing) located in Panama City Beach. Fully equipped with bunk beds, bathrooms and showers; team members are asked to bring their own bedding and towels. The team will also prepare their own meals in the fully-equipped kitchen.
IMMUNIZATIONS: Forward Edge strongly recommends that each team member has a current tetanus shot. Please consult a personal physician for any other recommendations.
TEAM PACKS: Once team member registration is complete, Forward Edge will send individualized team packs including a Forward Edge t-shirt, Team Member Manual, and other helpful information.
SCHEDULE: Each day your team will experience a morning devotional, an evening debrief, and relationship building opportunities through serving local people.
Sheri's Forward Edge experience began in 2000 when her ordinary family got a last-minute call that a missions organization needed help the following day for a weekend conference whose scheduled worship leader was unable to attend. Her family of five thought they were saying yes to a weekend, but God had additional plans. Just a few months later, David, Sheri's husband, took leave from his job for a three-week Forward Edge trip serving Kosovar widows alongside Albanian missionaries. From that point forward, broken for the broken-hearted and motivated by God through the humble servants at Forward Edge, David and Sheri began facilitating teams to different Forward Edge locations when they could. There were long dry periods of time that felt very ordinary — it seemed God was leading them to just be faithful in their ordinary lives — in the marketplace. And then there were times when God was asking for a little more. In 2005, they, along with their three kids, resigned from their jobs and ordinary lives and moved to Tiranë, Albania for a one-year assignment to serve and love this previously atheistic country and her people.
Back in the states, life continued ordinarily as they resumed day jobs (Sheri an engineer, David a surgical technologist), finished raising their kids, and facilitated Forward Edge teams. Since 2007 Sheri has worked in a local school district, most recently managing capital construction — building new schools and renovating existing ones. She is overjoyed to now be serving alongside the staff at headquarters, building for eternity instead!
Sheri is passionate to see the glory of God in people as they walk in freedom and confidence in who they were created to be, understanding His immense love for them. She is continually overwhelmed by His demonstration of His glory through the beauty of creation, whether watching the sunrise on the drive to work, kayaking with her husband on a Pacific Northwest lake, or hiking and camping in the mountains with their married kids.
What drew you to the mission of Forward Edge?
The fact that God uses ordinary people to serve him with whatever they have!
If you could have dinner with any person in history (except Jesus) who would it be and why?
I would have dinner with my grandpa who died before I fully understood the power of prayer. A farmer and rural college maintenance man, tennis champ, and traveling worship leader himself (he played the saw!), I've heard stories all my life of his dedication to prayer for his family — I'd like to thank him and continue to learn from him.
What is something about you others are often surprised to learn?
People are usually surprised that I'm an engineer and got to work in San Diego right next to the ship where the Navy dolphins trained.
Hi! I’m Sheri, the Florida Team Coordinator. I look forward to working with you to plan your life-changing week in Florida!
If you’re interested in organizing a team of 10 or more, you can contact us by filling out the short form below. If you’re an individual looking to join a team, you can scroll through our list of open teams here.
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