The Phoenix Project USA

01/22/2026

Today we arrived in Amarillo. We arrive tomorrow afternoon in Waco to get unpacked and somewhat settled.

We thank all of you who have helped us with finances, packing, Julie’s brother Kevin and his wife, Annette, who flew from Indiana to drive the U haul.

We look forward to meeting the team that will help us unpack our household.

Needless to say we are humbled and honored by all who have stepped in to help us.

01/16/2026

Over the last 10 days or so - we have been packing our office and home to move to Waco Texas.

Tomorrow and Saturday we will be packing everything up and on Sunday, We will start our trip.

Words can not express how much we appreciate ALL of you who have given special offerings, sweat and strength to help us pack, clean and prepare everything to move.

We will do our best to post pictures and stories of our packing and travels.

09/23/2025

Julie and I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me and our family - it has been a long 35 days for our family since I had the surgery to replace my 2 wire pacemaker with and “new and improved” 3 wire pacemaker.

I am starting to feel “normal” now with fewer moments of shortness of breath and other symptoms that I have experienced during this time.

Again, thank you to all of you who have been praying, offering kind and hopeful words - we are encouraged.

09/19/2025

Back home after a wild week. After my surgery to “install” a new pacemaker, over a month ago, I was having issues with fluid build up around my left lung.

The doctors decided that they needed to drain off the extra fluid. They took me off of my blood thinner for 3 days, so they could drain off the fluid around my left lung. They removed 1 & 1/2 liters of fluid which made me feel much better.

Sadly, by early afternoon I was having issues and by evening, things were not better. I was talking about things that happeed years ago like they were current events sooooo Julie took me back to the hospital and the hospital said that I had a stroke.

Stroke was the “best” you can have - no residual with my muscles and speech - have some issues with my sight and some other issues but they are minor.

Got to come home yesterday and I feel much better.

Want to thank all of you who prayed for me and my family.

09/08/2025

Recovery after a disaster can take many, many years. For survivors that want to be back to their homes and communities, it is demoralizing to see very little done a year later.

While in Happy Camp, CA to rebuild homes lost during the Slater Fire, I was frustrated that we were just starting to see buildings start after a year. The team I was working with said, “this is fast, in Paradise, we didnt start our first home until it had been 3 years."

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09/04/2025

One of the things we talk about in Grief and Trauma recovery is dealing with the anniversary of an event.

In 7 days, it will be 9-11. I served there as a Chaplain and made numerous trips back to NYC. 9-11 is a National Anniversary.

In our family, our niece Sarah was killed in an accident 7 years ago BUT Monday would have been her 30th Birthday SO as a family we all gathered on Monday, at my mother in law’s home which is now an AirB&B, to remember and spend time together as a family. Sarah’s mom and dad had a little memento for each of us that included Sarah’s picture.

There was a-lot of emotions on Monday because of where we met and why we met and I can not think of a better way to celebrate Sarah’s life.

08/27/2025

Saddened to see the news today following the shooting at the Catholic School Mass. As a Chaplain that has served in the aftermath of a school or any other mass shooting, there are no words that can help the survivors to find the answers to their questions.

We can provide comfort if we are willing to be present, allow them to tell their stories and when necessary, refer them to some form of counseling or treatment center that deals with crisis and trauma recovery.

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08/26/2025

Was great to connect today with a Pastor/Missionary that I was blessed to work with in Sri Lanka following the Tsunami. We team taught at our Bible School there about crisis and trauma recovery.

I went on to Kalmuni and he went to Banda Ache. After we finished our assignments, we met a week later in Bangkok Thailand were I met his wife and we shared our experiences.

Lately, like today, I am amazed at all the great people God has brought into our life path where we can share our hopes, dreams and concerns.

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08/25/2025

After being out of my office for the last week to have surgery, good to be back and getting some work accomplished.

Hardest things is to “pace myself” so that I recover quickly and do not make the recovery process longer.

Very thankful for all of you that prayed for me and my family and have assisted us along the way.

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08/25/2025

So proud of our kids, Marcos and Stacie Velasquez, were interviewed by the local CBS Affiliate here in Eureka.

https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodNews/videos/1807538986465775/

08/19/2025

“Great moments are born out of great opportunity” - Coach Herb Brooks USA Olympic Hockey Team, 1980 Lake Placid pregame speech before USA defeated Russia to advance to the Gold Medal Game.

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08/14/2025

I have added links to several documents on the Resource Page of our website. Here is a list if you are interested:

NORMAL GRIEF RESPONSES
JIM UHEY RESUME
LATEST NEWSLETTER
DISASTER RESPONSE SELF ASSESSMENT SURVEY
CHURCH EMERGENCY PLAN
CHURCH AFTER ACTION ASSESSMENT
MEET DHS AND FEMA VOLUNTEER STANDARDS
RECOMMENDED VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

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