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Katrina Relief Update: September
20
Whatever we do...
let's do it for Jesus.
(Matthew 25:37f)
We were "hit with the stark reality of each situation." |
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VENNARD TEAM DIVIDES
INTO GROUPS TO REACH COMMUNITIES ----- Original Message ----- Here is an update on the Vennard Katrina relief trip: Thursday, September 15, 2005: At 4:00pm
a group of 38 people, led by Coach Larry Olson, from Vennard
College, in University Park, IA, set out to help in the
hurricane ravaged areas of Bayou La Batre, AL (a small cross-cultural
shrimping/fishing community) and Slidell, LA (located 25
northeast of New Orleans). The departure marked the culmination
of a two week effort to bring to life a vision shared by
Vennard College's administration and student body to help
out with relief efforts. The vision was made possible by
local businesses and churches pouring out their generosity
in financial gifts and other contributions. Friday, September 16, 2005: We left St. Louis at 7:30am and continued to travel to Chickasaw, AL, which will serve as our base for the week. After many hours of driving, restroom breaks, and good conversation we arrived at the First Baptist Church in Chickasaw at 10:15pm. |
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| Saturday, September 17, 2005: After 2 days of travel we are finally able to get out to do the work that God called us to do in AL and LA. A group set out to Slidell and the rest went to Bayou La Batre. Both groups were hit with the stark reality of each situation. The Slidell group arrived early in the morning and saw a town in utter destruction. There were subdivisions that resembled a junkyard more than a community. Restaurants and houses were left in piles of rubble. There were fishing boats over houses and even some through houses. As they got to their destination the group proceeded to gut a house that had been damaged with over 5 feet of flood water. There was very little if anything salvageable left in the house. | |
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The story was very similar in the Bayou La
Batre area. As the group came into town they were hit with
sights of people having to live in tents because of the
unlivable situations caused by the flood waters that came
into their houses. As they traveled down to the bayou of
the Gulf of Mexico they saw 200 foot long boats that were
beached over 200 feet off the bayou. Boats had been flipped
over, buildings destroyed, and a shrimping industry in utter
ruins. The group spent the day gutting two houses and the
local First Evangelical Methodist Church. The group was
also able to reach out to a local lady Miss Jonetta, whose
house had been damaged by the flood waters. Sunday, September 18, 2005: We set this Lord's Day apart to get to know the people of the Bayou La Batre First Evangelical Methodist church better. We were able participate in their Sunday morning worship service. In the afternoon a family of the church opened their home to us, and we were able to meet new people and relax over the afternoon. In the evening we were blessed to be able to join in an evening worship service at the First Baptist Church in Chickasaw. |
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| Monday, September 19, 2005: We again
sent one team to Slidell and one to the Bayou La Batre community.
The Slidell group was able to finish their work in the area. In the end, our team had gutted two homes there. |
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When the Bayou La Batre group finished up
their work at the church they continued to reach out to
the community. Larry Olson was contacted by Dr. Regina Benjamin,
M.D., with a request for assistance. So, Coach Olson led
a group that was able to clear an area of land that will
be used as the first mobile medical clinic in the area.
That day three other groups of Vennardians also moved out
to the community and helped families clean up the destruction
left by Katrina. The night ended with the groups coming
together in Chickasaw... for a needed night's rest. Coach Larry Olson Editor's Note: Our students don't dress this way (above) while on campus and Coach Olson isn't wearing a tie (R) while working in Alabama. |
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Thank you for your interest in this story
and the people involved. |
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TEAM MEMBER LIST |
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PRAY NOW, PRAY OFTEN |
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If you would like to pray, we covet your intercession for the victims -- the lost, the church families, and the school ministries devastated by the hurricane. We also need your prayer support for our efforts to provide some relief to hurting people. Please let us know you're praying. Email us now! If you would like to give, please make your check out to Vennard College, with "Hurricane Assistance" in the memo line. To notify us of your intended contribution or if you have further questions, please call Dr. Moyer's office at 641-673-4345 x 104 or email us regarding your donation. |
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Thank you!
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