Almost over night we have become the largest city in Louisiana. Of course our new "citizens" would rather not be here, but it looks like their stay will be an extended one. Our city is being taxed by the new population. An easy drive, has become much longer and harder. Grocery stores are working hard to keep food stocked. MacDonald's lines are long. Gas station lines are unbelievable. (I don't know if that's from the extra people who need gas, if it's from the use of generators, if it's fear of rising prices, fear of gas shortages or a combination of it all.)
In addition there is a lot of fear in Baton Rouge. We have seen the looting of New Orleans. We know there are a lot of desperate people in small quarters. The rumor mill is rampant. I've heard everything from the ridiculous to the believable. Nobody seems to know what is real and what isn't.
What I do know is that there are a lot of people in Louisiana and the entire United States that are wanting to help in whatever way possible. This morning our congregation received a huge donation from the Church of Christ Disaster Relief in Nashville. We unloaded a semi crammed full of food and necessities for those in need. Our student center has become a shelter for 50 people. (Some of who helped us unload the truck.) Our church building will soon be a distribution center. We are getting help from Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ in Monroe, Ralpha International based in Texas, & The Disaster Relief organization in Nashville. They are meeting here tomorrow to give us direction as to how to handle such a massive undertaking. The task seems overwhelming, but with God's help we will be able to show God's love to many in a desperate situation.
In addition there is a lot of fear in Baton Rouge. We have seen the looting of New Orleans. We know there are a lot of desperate people in small quarters. The rumor mill is rampant. I've heard everything from the ridiculous to the believable. Nobody seems to know what is real and what isn't.
What I do know is that there are a lot of people in Louisiana and the entire United States that are wanting to help in whatever way possible. This morning our congregation received a huge donation from the Church of Christ Disaster Relief in Nashville. We unloaded a semi crammed full of food and necessities for those in need. Our student center has become a shelter for 50 people. (Some of who helped us unload the truck.) Our church building will soon be a distribution center. We are getting help from Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ in Monroe, Ralpha International based in Texas, & The Disaster Relief organization in Nashville. They are meeting here tomorrow to give us direction as to how to handle such a massive undertaking. The task seems overwhelming, but with God's help we will be able to show God's love to many in a desperate situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment