The Real Gustav - Not the TV Version

We spent Friday repairing and sharpening saws to prepare for serving in Houma again on Saturday. We took 8 members from Trinity Church with us today to do more tree cutting. I continue to be surprised at the lack of help in accomplishing the post-storm clean-up.

The story that we have heard reported from the major news outlets is that Gustav really wasn't as bad as it could have been. It seems that means to people outside of LA, that nothing bad really happened. A trip to Houma tells the true story.

Today we saw that the Southern Baptists have set up their mobile feeding kitchens at several sites in the city. The line for the noon meal had already formed by 9am, and was over 1/2 mile long. People were looking tired and weary after 5 days of survival mode. Later in the day, we went through a neighborhood distributing ice, drinks, and gasoline for generators. Folks came streaming out as we pulled up grateful for the supplies. For many, they will continue to live in powerless homes for days or weeks, even up to a month for some. We are here to show the real source of POWER, Jesus! For others, they celebrated having running water. Many still do not. We come to offer the Living Water found in the Gospel.

We saw a mobile home that exploded from the wind.

We met a lady today who is living in a shelter in Hattiesburg, MS and commuting daily back to check on her house and clean-up. That was the closest shelter she could find, over 3 hours away.

We worked for Mr. and Mrs. Boquet today, a tough older couple 'down da bayou'. They have 3 massive trees covering their side yard. As we prayed this morning before starting work, they both broke down in tears. it has been a hard time for them, from the fear of the winds during the storm to living alone and isolated for a week.

They have now added colored pieces of tape to the wires hanging down into the roadways. As I drove our truck and trailer around town today with the skid loader on the back, I had to weave into the oncoming lane of traffic frequently to be able to fit under sagging power lines.

We know God has us serving in this place according to His will. On Tuesday when we came into the region, we had no idea where to go. As we crossed over a big, high bridge, we saw a boy way up in a tree that had crashed across a roadway below, hanging in the tree trying to cut it with a bow saw. It was absolutely crazy, and we knew immediately that God wanted us there, at that exact spot to help. as a result of stopping there, we found a Methodist Children's Home, overrun with downed trees, and with a dormitory full of vacant beds for us to sleep in, and a freezer full of food that needs to be eaten. We met a wonderful lady named Miss Ella, who cooked for us or arranged for someone else to cook for our every meal so far. God provides.

We now have been contacted by almost a dozen members of the Houma police for help in clearing trees. Sunday, 4 members of Police Officers for Christ International will arrive to spend a week serving those officers and witnessing to them about Grace.

WE NEED :
- 10 VOLUNTEERS A WEEK FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS TO HELP US GET MINISTRY OFF THE GROUND IN HOUMA. COME AND SERVE WITH US. THE NEED IS REAL!!!!

- OUR SKID LOADER TREADS WORE OUT TODAY. WE NEED $3,500 TO REPLACE THEM.

- PRAYER FOR IDENTIFYING A GOOD PARTNER CHURCH AND FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO RECEIVE SALVATION.