Gulf coast update

Below is an frontline update posted on CHOGTalk by Debbie Weiger:

The following update came from Earl Wheatley in Mississippi, concerning some of the Churches of God in the Gulf region.  I’d like to add that work groups are going into Laurel / Hattiesburg area.  More are needed!  (Contact Rachael Woosley 205-812-3486, rwoosley@riverchase.cc )  Rachael and I went to Laurel and then on down to Gulfport last week, to carry supplies and do some organizational work.  It is just heartbreaking!  And the one thing we heard from our COG pastors and church families was, “Don’t let them forget about us!”

Tony also talked just this morning with Don Coleman at Camp Pollack in Louisiana.  Over the weekend they had 240 evacuees, but now they have 150 – and this without electricity or running water!  Today they are now dealing with the Health Department (another camp has already been shut down) but these folks have no where to go.  Please pray for God to make a way for them to continue to help these people.

The shelter at Austin Road Community Church in Daphne, AL is still in operation, but they are down to about half the number staying there.  They are working to help find permanent housing, jobs and vehicles for those families.

Debbie Weiger

Hi Friends,

Let me give you a site by site update - God is continuing to work through His people in some powerful ways!

Natchez, MS.  Natchez has continued to be an active Red Cross shelter.  As of last Thursday night they had 41 Katrina evacuees still living at the church.  At 2:00 a.m. Friday morning they received another 70 Rita evacuees! People were bedded down in the church, in the fellowship hall and in the gym.  I am attaching a couple of photos sent by  Del Loy.

Del also reports that one couple who has been at the Natchez church since it opened for Katrina has accepted Jesus as their Savior.and several of the other evacuees have been regular attenders in the Community Chapel worship services.

Palmetto, LA.  Pastor Dale Fontenot has shared that they were about 100 miles East of where the eye of the hurricane came ashore.  The Palmetto Campground has another 60 evacuees.  They were without power for 36 hours and had some damage to metal roofs.  But Palmetto was still able to minister to others!  On Saturday, a Red Cross Shelter called, needing food for 285 evacuees. "Because of the generosity of the church all over the country, we had enough food to send to the Red Cross shelter to help in their time of need."

New Orleans - Metairie, LA.  Pastor Paul Matte reports they are beginning to cut out sheet rock and get the building back into shape.  Reports from congregational leaders tell us that many homes of the congregation were damaged.  Rita's flooding hit some of the homes a second time.  Between the two storms, 3 families lost everything, 3 other families had extensive roof damage, at least 8 families have varying degrees of flood damage.

New Orleans - Caffin Avenue.  The church was flooded again from the water that hit the lower part of the city from Rita.  No updates yet on specific families and their losses.

Gulfport, MS - Workteams have been in and others are in route.  Good work is taking place in the community.

Now - on to Lake Charles, LA - and "Rita" news:

Pastor Rick McClain of Christ Community Church of God is in Meridian right now, staying with extended family.  As of last night (Monday), 44 Louisiana parishes are without power.  Many of the major transmission towers are down and will be a major piece in the repair/restoration work that is yet to be done.  He has had reports that their church building is in relatively good shape.  Rick has also been in touch with Pastor Terry Aridizzone of the CrossRoads Church of God.  Terry reports that one of their main entrance doors was shattered in the storm and there has been some minor building damage. 

From all current reports all Church of God families are physically OK; but we do know of many homes that suffered tree and other storm damage.  We have five Church of God congregations in the Lake Charles area.  None of them were able to meet this past Sunday and will probably not be able to meet this coming Sunday.  As you know, when the church cannot even meet, finances weaken quickly!

For more information or to give assistance to the Lake Charles churches you can contact Rick McClain at mcclain2005@ccclc.info or (812) 962-4971.or (877) 853-7513

Future work:

New Orleans:  This Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. a strategy meeting will be held at the Landmark Church of God, Covington, Mississippi, hosted by Pastor Ron Allen.  At that time we will assess needs, consider resources and (hopefully) identify a work coordinator for our ongoing assistance to our New Orleans churches and families.   As you pray about this, please remember Ron's wife, Sue.  She has a fractured rib and will be seeing the physicians this week.  Please join me in asking the Great Physician to touch Sue.

Lake Charles:  This situation is still being assessed.  Hopefully more will be known about specific needs and physical assistance opportunities within the next 5 to 7 days.

Blessings,

Earl Wheatley