By Kelly Legg

Samaritan’s Purse Deploys to Help Florida Flood Victims

Samaritan’s Purse disaster response specialists and a disaster relief unit stocked with supplies deploy to New Port Richey where rain has drenched already flooded areas.

Initial reports estimate more than 400 homes and structures were damaged by the floodwaters. The North Carolina-based international Christian relief organization will work with volunteers to help flood victims.

“Our hearts go out to the flood victims whose lives have been turned upside down and who have lost so many personal belongings,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse.

Utilizing its network of volunteers, Samaritan’s Purse teams cleaned mud out of flooded houses and remove waterlogged belongings. They also tore out damaged drywall, insulation and flooring, and sprayed for mold so families can begin to rebuild their lives. The volunteers played a crucial role in helping Pasco County families recover from the devastating floods.

The Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief unit is a tractor-trailer stocked with heavy-duty tarps, generators, and other tools and supplies for the cleanup efforts. This unit will serve as the command center and will be based at Living Word Church in New Port Richey.

For more information to volunteer or to make donations to Samaritan’s Purse, visit www.spvolunteernetwork.org.

Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 to Release October 2015

Filmmaker Phil Vischer, a pioneer of Christian children’s media best known for producing VeggieTales, has released the first sneak peek trailer for Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9. This will be Vischer’s first narrative storytelling video in more than a decade.

The “Galaxy Buck” series dares to take the good news about God’s love to the far reaches of the galaxy. Mission to Sector 9 is the first video in the new series and will release on Tuesday, October 20.

The series will feature new and innovative filmmaking techniques from Vischer, whose VeggieTales sold more than 50 million videos. With miniature sets hand-carved primarily by Vischer, “Galaxy Buck” will combine CGI animation, miniature sets and live-action for a visually rich experience for viewers. As with the entire “What’s in the Bible?” cast, Vischer will continue to write and voice each character in the series.

For more information and a sneak peek of the series, visit www.GalaxyBuck.net.

Life-Sized Noah’s Ark Being Constructed in Kentucky

Most people are familiar with the story of Noah’s Ark and can recall how, in the book of Genesis, God told Noah to bring pairs of animals into the ark along with his family because God was going to destroy everyone else on the earth with a flood because of their wickedness.

Ken Ham is bringing that story to life with his $29.5 million project.

Ham, who is chief executive and president of the Creation Museum, stated that once the ark is completed, it will be the largest timber-frame building in the world.

Visitors interested in viewing construction of the ark are allowed to do so just outside the construction zone in Williamstown, Ky. Those interested can also view work being done on life-size replicas of a variety of animals that will be part of the exhibit.

Ham has posted a bird’s-eye-view video of the Noah’s Ark construction site, taken from inside a helicopter. The video shows how the ark is taking shape, as well as the massive parking lot that will be able to fit vehicles of 4,000 Noah’s Ark replica visitors.

“When you see what they have produced, you will be amazed at the size of what is being built,” Ham said. “This will be one of the greatest Christian attractions in the world and will be opened sometime in 2016.”

For more information or to donate toward the project, visit www.arkencounter.com.

Previous articleHope United Methodist Church Mission Team Serves Hundreds In Honduras
Next articleSchool Resource Deputies Tackle Substance Abuse Issues During Back-to-School Training
Kelly Wise Valdes
Kelly Wise Valdes has been writing for the Osprey Observer since 2008. She graduated in 1989 from Florida Southern College with a B.S. in Communications and enjoys writing and traveling. She currently resides in northern Hillsborough County with her husband, David. When not traveling and writing, Kelly and her husband enjoy spending time with their five grown children (as well as their grandchildren) that still keep them very busy.