Saturday, June 14, 2008

Iowa River Flood Update 8

Today I had an extremely unique opportunity to get a look at the flood damage up close and personal. An individual in the church called with an offer for Pastor Jeff and I to join him in investigating the scene. As we were boarding a cameraman with CNN joined us. We are told his footage will be on CNN tonight at 10:00.

Below are some of the pictures from the damage. It is difficult seeing it up close and personal. We were very fortunate to have hundreds of people help evacuate most all of our equipment and resources.























































21 comments:

Emily said...

Oh wow... I am speechless. There's a worship song that starts, "Bring on the rain, bring on the floods..." and that's what popped into my head when I saw these. I had to laugh a little because it's probably not the most appropriate song right now.

Thank you for posting these, though seeing them does not make the reality of it any easier.

Anonymous said...

Scott, and all at Parkview, our prayers are with you. Trust in the Lord; in all things He works for the good of those who love Him.

-Rob and Keri Boer (previous members)
Black Mountain, North Carolina

Anonymous said...

Dear Scott and Parkview (our future church when we move in August!),

We are praying for you in Wisconsin... it is devastating to see the photos and we have not even had the pleasure of living in IC yet. My heart aches for all of you as you have to watch the damage grow worse each day.

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7

We will be with you all in Iowa soon and we look forward to being a part of rebuilding Parkview and Iowa City with all of you in whatever way God intends.

With love and prayers,
Jessica and Christopher Fashun
Oostburg, WI...soon to be Iowa City, IA

sara lyn said...

wow. thanks for posting these. i almost hate leaving right now - i won't be able to rebuild with ya'll...but my prayers will be with parkview as you guys make some really hard decisions in the future, i'm sure! thanks again...wow.

Unknown said...

Hard to believe it until you see the photos. We are praying for you and for all those in our area affected by these floods.

How can we as your neighbors and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ be of help to you all? What do you need most that we could provide?

Pastor Eric Nygren
Cornerstone EFC, Williamsburg, IA
www.cefcw.org

Anonymous said...

Amazing pictures. These were also recently featured on KCRG, so I'm sure many more will get to see them.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow. Those brought tears to my eyes. :(

I wish I had CNN! My buddy Scott's gonna be famous! I can't wait to hear how you praise Him in this storm on national tv! :D

Stephen Ley said...

Praying for you all and urging others to do the same. The gospel will go forward. 2 Cor. 4:8-10

Meghan said...

Wow. Scott, thanks for sharing those. It helped to know what it was like inside. I had tears in my eyes when I saw the nursery toys floating, definitely just materials, but with those come memories.

BeyondTheSea7 said...

I can't believe you left the green couch.....

;-)

All kidding aside, how sobering. I can only imagine how surreal it felt to be inside there. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

-Chris

Anonymous said...

The prayers of your brothers and sisters at Central Christian in Carmel, IN are with you as we've been watching over the past week the courageous work of the family there together. You will continue to be in our love and our prayers.

Family and friends of Rob & Karla Winstead

C-Dub said...

Scott: I don't know what to say. I could not finish looking at those photos. My heart and soul really hurts for you brother. Please know that Tanisha & I, as well as the entire body of Bridgeway Community Church will be lifting you all up during this time. Because of time, distance, etc we may not chat as much as we did before, but I love you like a brother and I will be eager to hear and see the praise reports that are coming from this and that will come from this. :)

Carrie Allen said...

My prayers are with you guys!

Anonymous said...

Hey Bro,

I'm so sorry. Thank you for posting the pictures and series, even up through today. Just image that you will never be given more than you can handle. God knows that you and your entire congregation INCREDIBLY Strong and Resilient. Blessings on you all.

Your Bro-inlaw,
Craig

Deb said...

Dear Parkview Family, You guys are SO in our prayers!! It's been over 11 years since we left Iowa City and our beloved Parkview, where we were members for almost 5 years. God did AMAZING things for us through Parkview during the time we were there! So to say that Parkview will always have a special place in our hearts is a huge understatement!

CNN!!! Around the WORLD TV coverage!! WOW.......what a platform God has given and will use through this disaster!

Acts 28:1 And when they had been BROUGHT SAFELY THROUGH.... God did amazing and awesome things through Paul's ministry AND that same God has and is doing awesome and amazing things through Parkview!

We so love you guys and are praying, praying, praying!!

David and Debbi Robinson
Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Anonymous said...

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Please know you are in our prayers and in the prayers of our church: St. Margaret's Episcopal in Inverness, FL.

Our son, Bob and his wife, Brandi attend your church and we have attended many times with them. It is heart wrenching to see the damage. We pray God uses this disaster in a mighty way to His glory through your efforts to witness in Iowa City.

Love in Christ,
Bob and Dottie Radcliffe

Jennifer said...

Scott and Parkview family,

We are heartbroken. Parkview will always hold such a special place in our hearts, and we hate that you are having to go through this. We know that "the church is not a building" and that Parkview will remain strong in faith and works. We are praying for you daily and wish we could be there to help.

Grace and peace,
Jennifer and Michael Hunt
Keller, Texas

Anonymous said...

Scott and Parkview Friends,

You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this. As you praise Him in this storm, I know that HE will be glorified! My memories at Parkview before Chris and I got married are so fond and I miss the choir members so much! God has led us down a different path - but my heart will always be softened with precious memories of my Parkview family. Trust Him for His wisdom and use every opportunity you have to show HIM to a world that doesn't understand. Remember - if ONE soul comes to Christ through this trial, it IS worth it! The church is the people not the building and new memories will be formed. You are in our constant prayers and I am excited to see how you bring honor and glory to HIM!!!!

Much love,
Lynette (Ewald) Morton

Anonymous said...

Oh, man. Someone just sent me a link to these. I'd heard about how bad it was, but this is just unbelievable. It's just so sad looking at those pictures of the atrium where we were married under all that water. Thanks for posting these, Scott.

Anonymous said...

Parkview Family:
I felt sick as I saw the pictures of the flooding. Definitely this flood is much worse than the flood of 1993.
I will be praying for all of you as you determine what will be done after the waters completely recede.
Donna W.
Escondido, CA

Anonymous said...

CREATION...CREATION IS THE TRUE ONE AND IS INDEED GIVING A LESSON TO ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE LIES OF THE CHURCHES...
NEXT TIME MOTHER NATURE WILL FLOOD UP TO THE TO THE TOP OF CEILING BECAUSE THIS THIS WAS ONLY A "SAMPLE" OF WHAT MOTHER NATURE - WHICH IS THE MIRROR OF CREATION - WILL DO THIS WHOLE PLANET OF LIES!

WELL DONE!