Two weeks ago, I said goodbye to our summer interns and spent a week serving in Columbia, SC. I'll be honest, I was looking forward to getting back to New Orleans and taking a break! Something along the lines of quiet afternoons with a book and a cuppa tea, or checking out a new coffee shop with my brother who was visiting me, and definitely a schedule not packed full every week.
Then we arrived in Covington amidst news reports of record flooding and phone calls from worried parents who thought we were in danger.
By now I am sure many of you have heard about the widespread, historic flooding in Southern Louisiana that occurred last weekend. It has caught residents by surprise because the areas that flooded haven't flooded in our lifetimes. Crazy stuff. Here are some facts about the flood:
*40,000-60,000 Louisiana homes affected/damaged
*20 parishes (Louisiana's version of a county) declared disaster areas
*85% of Livingston Parish was flooded
*90% of Denham Springs (near Baton Rouge) was under water
*12% of Louisiana residents HAVE flood insurance
Reachglobal Crisis Response has begun an official response, centering in the area between Baton Rouge and Covington (where our warehouse/office is based). Our staff and local church members have been working all week to assess the damage, meet homeowners, and begin gutting houses. Churches in our Mobilize Initiative network are beginning to put together teams to come help. Friends, family members and ministry adjunct staff are volunteering their time to come work beside us. God is moving and showing us one person at a time, one house at a time, that we can reach with His love.
I have been sharing photos, blogs, and updates on this disaster on my Facebook page, but I hope this information gives you a broader look at the great need in Louisiana right now. If you are pressed to serve those in need in Louisiana here are a few ways you can directly be involved.
PRAY
*The people of Louisiana are in need of prayer as they literally sort through their lives and decide on the next step/rebuild their homes and businesses.
*Reachglobal Crisis Response needs prayer for the wisdom of God as we respond, the strength and resources to meet people's needs, and direction as a staff to work well as a team in the face of this new response.
*Pray for volunteers/servants to be raised up to come help. We can't do it alone!
GIVE
*You can give towards our ministry in Baton Rouge by following the link below and following the instructions under "give". These donations enable us to buy supplies for ministry needs, fuel out to the jobsites, and meet other ministry needs.
*You can also send donations in the form of gift cards to Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc which we use to buy tools and supplies for our jobsites.
GO
*Come volunteer with us!
*We will take you alone or with a team. See the link below for information on how to send a team to Louisiana, or contact me directly and I am happy to help you through that.
Please pray about being involved with the needs here in Louisiana. They are many, but our God is so very great and I have no doubt that He will continue to faithfully provide what is needed.
PRAY/GIVE/GO: Link to give and send a team
Oh...and in case you were wondering... I did get a week of vacation time. :) Cozy, book reading afternoon, coffee shop exploring and all! And yes, our homes are safely out of danger of flooding. But now I am transitioning into another busy season as I join the flood response. I would appreciate your prayers as I seek to balance my time with God and going out to serve. There is a lot on my plate and I am quite at the end of my own strength. I have faith that God is moving and teaching me to rely on Him and watch Him pour out His strength and mercy while I stand in awe.
Thanks, y'all!!
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