I had to post a totally separate post for this . . . during the counseling session at Day’s Inn on Saturday, Pastor Price was able to lead a 12 year old boy to the Lord. He came on his own and was wondering about fear (about hurricanes) and about God.

Praise the Lord for His saving grace! One day later and it would have been “too late” (of course God is sovereign) because this boy went back to New Orleans today. Pray that he will be able to go to a good church there.

(Jeremy’s comments) Today brought another day of work down in Abbeville. We focused on hanging sheetrock for the day. We were able to get much of the church building done. The pastor of the church – Pastor John, was very thankful for the work that was done. At the end of the workday, we all met to pray and Pastor John told all of us his story. He had become the pastor of the church the week before Rita hit. After the floodwaters subsided he and another man from the church went to the buildings to see the damage. Pastor John said the only tools he had were a chalk line and a utility knife. Not knowing were to start, they began to tear down the walls unaware that a team from Florida was already on its way with a trailer full of tools to help. Then shortly after that a team from Illinois would be there to give further assistance.

Pastor John was overwhelmed how God was already answering his requests before he even prayed to God about them. As I later reflected on Pastor John’s situation, I was impressed at the opportunity God has given that church to grow together under a new shepherd in the midst of trials.

(Anouk’s comments) - Please pray for the people in this congregation and many of them have to “start over.” One lady, Brenda, told us that her house was a loss. If they were to rebuild in the same area, insurance would require them to be between 8 to 10 feet above sea level in order to cover them. That means jacking up the house quite high. Brenda and her husband own land in a little town 15 minutes away and are seeking the Lord’s will about relocating there. Of course, they have to wait on insurance money, which could take another couple of months. Brenda’s daughter, Tiffany, and her husband’s house was also a total loss. They had just finished decorating their 3 year old daughter’s room and set up the nursery for the new baby on the way. As you can see by the pictures, the house has been condemned. Please pray for encouragement for these people. They have great attitudes, but sometimes the magnitude of the loss can get overwhelming. I was greatly encouraged by them as they cast their cares on the Lord. We went to be a blessing to them - but they were a blessing and challenge to us!

The Kilburn children (Joshua, Megan, Rachel, Melanie, and Josiah) from MorningStar Baptist Church in Illinois (our home church) took up a collection before we left and gave it to us “to help people down in Louisiana.” We were able to take that money and buy some gifts for Tiffany’s little girl who loves Dora the Explorer. It was neat that we and Keith Kilburn (the father of those generous kids who was down here helping with construction) were able to present these gifts to them. We were also able to give Tiffany a box of “baby stuff” such as diapers and wipes and baby products (donated by churches from all over).

Before heading back for the night, we took the team to Intercoastal City to see some of the devastation. Shipyards were destroyed; homes demolished and cemeteries were decimated because of the floodwaters and winds of Rita. As each team member took in the surreal scene a sense of awe was with each of us. I think each of us were thinking the same thing . . . the same thing the disciples were thinking in Mark 4:41 – “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’”

The team arrived from Illinois this morning having driven all night. Being the kind leader that I am, I promptly put them to work! We divided the team into 3 separate teams for Friday. My wife took the two ladies to the storage unit to organize and prepare for the next shipment of groceries due to come in on Tuesday. The ladies also had a Bible study with an evacuee from New Orleans at the Days Inn where she is living. The Day’s Inn agreed to allow us to advertise that counseling would be available from 2:00 to 4:00 on Friday and Saturday.

While the ladies were busy organizing the storage unit and helping with counseling and Bible studies, the men with the exception of Jason and I, went down to Abbeville, LA to help rebuild Faith Baptist Church and the pastor’s trailer. Hurricane Rita hit this area hard. The church is about 30 – 40 from the levy, which broke putting the community under six feet of water. The church had to be completely gutted and rebuilt. On Friday, the men did a wonderful job laying the sub floor and putting up insulation.

Also today, Jason and I helped relocate Ruby Pearce from New Orleans to West Lake, La. When the team from North Carolina was here we focused on canvassing area hotels and in the process the Lord led us to Ruby. The North Carolina team had left some money to help pay for the rental truck, Miss Ruby (as she is called) helped pay for gas and Baptist Mid Missions World Relief Fund took care of all the rest expenses for the day. It was a long day of driving for my brother . . . he had driven all night to get to Lafayette only to get into the truck with me and drive to New Orleans and then to West Lake (West Lake is about 25 miles from the Texas border). We figured that in the 36 hours, my brother had traveled approximately 1700 miles!

Miss Ruby and her family were extremely thankful for our help and even invited us to spend Christmas dinner with her in her new home! At the end of the day, we all gathered together in the living room of her new home and thanked God for His goodness to each of us. Both my brother and I felt humbled and privileged to help someone in their time of need.

Today, we delivered about 30 more boxes to hotels. Then Jeremy and the team (I’ve been battling a cold + lack of sleep, so I stayed back) went down to Abbeyville on the coast to view some of the damage Katrina and Rita made. Here are some pictures to tell the “story.”

The team leaves this afternoon. It was great having them. They were able to help in mass canvassing and organizing the storage unit – those two things would have taken us weeks to do!

Thank you all for your prayers. I’m sorry the blog is not updated more often, but right now we have very limited access (and time) to internet. As of November 1st we should have wireless at the campground, which will make it a lot easier to keep in touch and to post on the blog. Thanks for your patience! We will post the promised pictures soon!

Yesterday, Jeremy and the guys from the team got a lot of “canvassing” (to give away food boxes) done at hotels and motels where there are a lot of evacuees. At first, it seemed that no hotel was going to let us talk to people. Then finally at the Best Value Inn, the lady at the front desk was very compassionate and told us to go to all the rooms we wanted to. The team was able to collect a lot of names of people who needed or wanted a food box. A few other hotels also let us stay in their lobby to talk to people. While they did that, the 2 ladies and I stayed back at the storage unit and were able to completely organize it so that we can make more food boxes efficiently. That took a lot of time and muscle! ☺

Today we delivered 30 boxes to these people who were very grateful. Of course, each box had a couple of tracts as well as a Gospel of John and a New Testament (and of course Acadian Baptist Church info)! Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in their

This evening, we had a children’s program at the KOA campground. We had about 17 kids show up! The pastor of the team from NC directed the games, one of the ladies directed songs, and Jeremy presented the Bible Story as well as an “illusion” object lesson. The kids seemed to have a great time and all went home with a New Testament and some good children’s Bible “stuff.” We hope to make this program a weekly thing.

Yesterday, Jeremy helped the team from North Carolina get their Cajun Dome passes. The two ladies from the team talked to a lady at the Dome, Stacey, who made a profession of faith. Please pray for her growth and for someone to disciple her as she plans to move back to Lake Charles.

Today, we took the team to the Cajun Dome again and then to the storage unit to do some MUCH needed sorting and organizing. Jeremy and I also moved our RV closer to Lafayette (in Duson) where we will be until Nov. 1st. After that, we will be moving to the KOA campground.

We had an evening service at the retirement home again – I was able to play the baby grand piano, which I enjoyed better than the keyboard!

P.S. – The Bixbys and Bradfords made it to Rockford safely!

We had a morning service at KOA campground where I was able to sit at a picnic table and play the keyboard. A visiting pastor from North Carolina gave the message to our small group. We had 3 nurses from Minnesota who attended – they were there to give medical relief and shots to those who needed it, so Jeremy and I got our Hepatitis A shots for free! As you can tell, Jeremy LOVES shots!

We also had an evening service at a retirement home that lets us use their dining room. The Bixbys and the Bradfords left this afternoon on their long journey back to Rockford, Illinois. We pray for their safety.

Jeremy and Pastor Bixby took a gentleman back to New Orleans. Jeremy called me and said that New Orleans had been hit hard in the section they went to . . . I guess I’ll let the pictures tell the story. Downtown New Orleans obviously didn’t get it as much as this part did.

Here are just some photos from The Acadian Baptist Center–where we’ve been staying while the RV was being repaired. This camp center’s Eunice, LA, which is about 45 minutes from Lafayette. Thursday there was a chance to get to know the family who is moving back to Rockford, so you’ll see some photos of them. Friday, Jeremy and Pastor went to Baton Rouge to pick up the RV (the fuel pump repairs cost about $1200). We got our volunteer passes, too, so that we can visit and try to help the evacuees remaining in Lafayette.

Today we helped unload a truck full of food sent by Operation Renewed Hope. Jeremy, Pastor, and Emmett helped the others put the hundreds of boxes into a storage unit that Pastor Price is renting. We will use this food to give to evacuees in need.

After that, Jeremy and I went to the Cajun Dome to get our passes. For a brief period of time, they had stopped issuing them so we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to get them. The Lord was gracious, however, and we were able to get them. We met some lots of evacuees. I got tears in my eyes as one couple told me that they had found an apartment – I was so excited for them! Most of the people we met were thankful to be safe with their families and thankful for the help they were getting. It made us thankful for what we have (even if it is all in storage ☺).