"It was a sad sight to see," Bishop Ron Webb of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church said describing the scene in Houston, Texas, last week after Hurricane Harvey left its mark. "People were weeping and crying because they had nothing left."
While filming at The Jim Bakker show in Branson, Mo., Webb was asked to accompany a team from the show to Houston.
Webb said he had a connection in Houston, Pastor Don Norton, who recently spoke at Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church, and the group could coordinate with him to help in the recovery efforts.
Norton's church, Christian Temple Assembly-God Church, has four locations and each received damage from Hurricane Harvey's impact.
"We had water in all four locations, but not the amount of water other's received," Norton said. "We feel pretty blessed."
Monday, Sept. 4, Webb boarded a private cargo jet, along with a dozen others from Bakker's show, to help distribute food and supplies to citizens working to rebuild their lives.
"As soon as we landed in Houston, we went directly to the site (Christian Temple Assembly-God Church) to assist," Webb said.
While in Houston for three days, Webb said he distributed food and supplies as well as counseled and comforted hurricane victims.
"We prayed with many," Webb said. "We brought comfort, hugs and encouragement to keep the faith and let them know we were there for them."
Norton said he believes the number of people assisted and served is close to 100,000 at this time. He also added over 200 families from his church were flooded out of their homes or lost everything.
Christian Temple Church is also being used to house volunteers traveling from all over the U.S. to assist with hurricane relief.
At one point, the traffic became so backed up leading into Christian Temple Church, Webb said the distribution site was moved to a 120-foot tent in a nearby Macy's parking lot.
In addition, the church is taking meals twice a day to a hard hit apartment complex nearby where the entire first floor was flooded.
"There are about 6,000 people in the apartment complex and we are assisting those affected with removing wet furniture," Norton said.
According to Norton, assistance also includes filling out insurance forms and FEMA paperwork.
While distributing food, Webb said people who came to Christian Temple Church were very appreciative of the volunteers who came to help. He estimated over 200 volunteers were on the grounds daily assisting in some way.
"Mothers and grandmothers carrying babies and plates of food would put them down to shake our hands," he said. "People needed help now and the church stepped in."
According to Webb, debris could be seen for miles stacked 12 to 15 feet high.
To put in perspective how devastating Hurricane Harvey was, Norton said 120,000 homes were flooded in Houston, compared to 30,000 homes in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.
While in Houston, Webb described homes as being stripped from the inside and could be seen through entirely. One home in particular he recalled seeing had a woman sleeping on a cot inside the stripped out home.
"Many said they did not have flood insurance because they were not in a flood plain," Webb said. "They lost everything but the clothes they were wearing."
Webb is planning to return to Norton's church at the end of the month for a conference. He is working with local and covenant churches to raise money to be able to present a check to Norton.
"The goal is to present a check for $15,000 to assist with food, supplies and repairs," Webb said.
Anyone interested in donating can call Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church at 573-686-7844 for more information on donating.
"We have experienced flooding in this area," Webb said. "People are realizing this could have been us. All the donations will be going directly to the church."
Norton said the phenomenal help and assistance from Webb and others cannot be described.
"We really appreciate Pastor Webb and the church for being a light in a dark time," Norton said.
According to Red Cross Community Volunteer Leader and Southeast Chapter Board Member Jeff Shawan, two hurricanes back-to-back have led to a nationwide mobilization of the Red Cross.
As far as "people resources" from the Red Cross Eastern Division, Shawan said a total of 88 volunteers were deployed; 77 to Hurricane Harvey and 11 were pre-positioned for Hurricane Irma.
"Harvey stretched us really thin," Shawan said. "Now Irma on top of it is insane."
Not only are volunteers stretched thin, emergency vehicle resources from Southeast Missouri are either committed to going or in route to assist with hurricane recovery along the Southern coast.
Shawan stressed the biggest need within the coming weeks will be volunteers to assist with relief efforts.
To volunteer, Shawan said to use the RedCross.org website under the volunteer section and register for training.
"If you can commit a few weeks to volunteer, you need to get in the system and begin training now," Shawan said. "There is going to be a huge need over the next several weeks."