Reaching Out to the Hurricane Katrina and Rita Evacuees

        A local businessman donated the use of a 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office area to use for the distribution and right away things started coming in. Within a few weeks, we had 10 truck loads of new clothing, toiletries, household supplies, food, toys, etc. Our team of Jeff, Mark, Titus, Gabe, and Jason became experts at negotiating rush hour traffic in a big white box van. They moved in mountains of materials and became very well acquainted with the peculiarities of an ancient fork lift that we had running overtime.

         Little by little, things began to come together as the Lord supplied tables and we organized the distribution area at the warehouse. Claire, Mary, Mia, and Alley set to work on organizing the “office” and paperwork side, while Mary, Claire, and Raphael headed up the care team at the mall that would initially meet and interview the evacuees as they responded to our flier offering help, and to evaluate their needs and be a listening ear. Everyone pulled together and worked overtime.

         For the next month, our team met and ministered to 350 families—a surprising number of them single moms with 2-7 children—approx. 1,500 people in total. Many of them had been standing in FEMA and Red Cross lines for months, and frustrations, discouragement and short tempers were met with our counselors’ caring hearts. Our mall care team took time with each family, connecting with them as individuals, praying with each one and helping to care for their spiritual needs initially. They loved our Activated materials. We had plenty on hand as the North America Activated desk had donated children’s materials, inspirational CDs, books and Activated magazines with a special message of hope for the suffering.

         Our mall store front was open four days a week for three weeks and had people coming back for multiple copies of the Activated magazine. Some evacuees had been distributing them to their friends, at their work places and schools, and were asking for more. Thank God that dear Dawn (in San Antonio) had been able to find a printer that donated 90,000 copies specifically for this time.

         People drove in to come see us, many car pooling from hours away from Rita’s hardest hit areas, or taking buses and hitch-hiking across Houston to get to our warehouse. One group of 50 families came from an apartment complex that was still without electricity months after the hurricane. The cold and hardships were taking a toll. Kids were doing homework by candlelight and the families were not able to cook. We hurried them over to the warehouse for warm clothes and blankets. One mom’s tearful reaction was “I can’t believe we don’t have to stand in another line.”

         Over at the warehouse, we began to have “walk-ins” as word spread. FEMA and the Red Cross were referring people to us. We interviewed people on the spot and were taking people on “free shopping trips” through our warehouse. We took time with each group as they arrived. One of our missionaries would give their personal testimony and a clear witness and then we’d pray with each group to receive Jesus and to ask Him for the healing and comfort that they needed so badly.

         Initially, when people arrived and were waiting for attention, the mood was not always good. It’s like they were already thinking we were just another “minimal care group.”  People were often cynical and gloomy. After the orientation, testimony and prayer, the change in the groups was so obvious. Many received Jesus right then and there and others had their faith strengthened and renewed. The change was remarkable.

         From there Raphael, Gabe, Titus and the warehouse team took over and patiently helped each family to fill their bags and find the things they needed.

         At the end of the day, when we would realize we hadn’t taken time to eat, and were tired and breathless from all the work, the beaming faces we had seen that day made it worth it all. Time passed so quickly. Many people either called or came back for more counseling and prayer. It was so rewarding to be able to get personally involved and show our care and concern, as well as seeing the radical changes in people.

         Young people from other Homes also got a chance to participate from time to time. They jumped right in and worked tirelessly and won so many hearts. Special thanks to Tim, Maya, Angie and the team of young people from their Home.

          We are still answering the phones and meeting our Katrina/Rita friends that are still reaching out to us. The Lord gave all of us a Christmas season that will keep on giving for many months to come and we pray that lives will continue to be changed.