(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!’”