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Louisiana Devastated by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina has destroyed much of the Gulf Coast. Here in Louisiana, 40% of our population was directly impacted by the path of Katrina across New Orleans and the surrounding area. Reports of a million homeless are on the news. Louisiana will be a land of refugees for an extended period of time. In the midst of the loss, pain and chaos displayed on television news coverage, good things are happening. People of central and north Louisiana have opened shelters and their homes to our neighbors from the devastated areas of Louisiana. Massive quantities of food and supplies have been donated by ordinary people to help care for those living in shelters. I encourage you to be good neighbors, good Samaritans, to those who have lost everything. Here on our Ruston campus we have opened our doors to 36 children and 12 staff members from the Methodist Home for Children in New Orleans. They will live with us for an extended period of time until New Orleans is once again a place that can be home. Discover how you can help us care for these children. In every way possible, give in ways that are meaningful to the charities you support. It will take time - years - to rebuild south Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Give now and give as you can in the future. In addition to supporting our ministry, I encourage you to support the national charities that are working hard to rescue people and restore a sense of security to the victims of Katrina. Some of the national charities that are meeting the needs of Katrina's victims include UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Yours in Christ, Terrel DeVille | |||
by Terrel J. DeVille, President and CEO|
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