I thought you'd like some really good news about our brethren in Louisiana.
Richard

Hello from South Louisiana,

Andy Burnett asked me to send you an update on our status here in the New Orleans, Covington and Laurel church areas.  He is on his way to Brookhaven, MS to conduct the funeral service of one of our elderly members who died from health problems unrelated to the hurricane.

I live in Baton Rouge which received  relatively light damage from the hurricane.  Power was out for several days in many areas but was restored quickly.  As the nearest large city to the more heavily damaged areas, Baton Rouge became the center of rescue and evacutation efforts. As a result, the communication systems (which were heavily damaged in most areas) have been overloaded.  It has been very difficult to make long distance calls on land lines and almost impossible on cell phones.  In addition, we could not travel into many of the damaged areas due to closed roads and cerfews.  We knew that most of the brethren in the most heavily hit areas evacuated prior to the storm.  However, we didn't know where they went or how to contact them.  It has taken more than a week to account for everyone and to begin to assess the extent of damage and needs of the brethren.

From my vantage point here, it has been like watching a wave of unfolding miracles as the news came in.  At this point we know of no one who received any significant injuries from the storm.  However, we still have about six people that have not been accounted for.  Most of these lived in the New Orleans metropolitan area.  I'm sure that our brethren around the world will continue to pray for their safety.  Damage to property has been quite low.  One of our members who lived on the Mississippi gulf coast has probably lost his home but has not been able to return yet to be sure.  Some have had trees fall on their homes but the damage has been relatively minor and their homes have remained livable.  We have been able to temporarily relocate one family to Houston who had flooding in their home on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.  Another couple is in the process of being moved locally due to water damage from roof leaks.  A deacon and deaconess who live near our New Orleans church hall (adjacent to the New Orleans International Airport) where extensive flooding occurred, have been able to return to their home.  They had no flooding but some water damage as a result of broken windows and loss of shingles.  I have seen and heard of a number of cases where trees fell away from the homes of members and even when trees fell on homes, they landed in areas that minimized damage.  A neighbor of our Pastor (Andy and Lisa Burnett), who rode out the hurricane, reported that the water at the Burnett's home rose to within an inch of their door. Trees fell around their home but they received little damage.

Aside from the difficutly in communicating, power outages have been severe.  Also, water and sewage systems are not operating in some locations.  The national news has focused on the New Orleans and Mississippi gulf coast.  However, hurricane winds reached as far north as the Hattiesburg, Ms region and significant wind damage occurred as far north as Jackson, MS.  As a result, many of the brethren in southren Mississippi have been without power since the storm.  In these and other sections of our church area, power is slowly being restored.  However, it may be a month or more before some areas receive power.  For example in St. Tammany Parish, which includes the Covington/Slidell area where a number of brethren live,  it is estimated that 75% of the power lines were initially down.

As I have visited and talked on the phone with our members, I have been inspired by their spirit.  I have seen nothing but positive attitudes as they "dig out".  When I have asked what they need, their response is typically "we're doing alright, but could use a little ice, water, and gasoline.  Some good news is that gasoline supplies are beginning to find their way into most of the areas where brethren live although there are some lines.  Neighbors have been helping each other, the Red Cross has been supplying food and supplies and FEMA is beginning to get aid into the hands of those in need.

The outpouring of help that has been offered by brethren around the country and abroad has been heartwarming.  On behalf of all our members here, let me say thanks for everything but especially your prayers.  God's hand has been present during this trial.  Because of this, our needs have not been as great on most would expect.  Some financial needs are already being met by local and state authorities and by FEMA.  Also, insurances companies are already writing checks to some of the members to tide them over.  It appears that the primary need will be some additional financial assistance.  As I understand, contributions from the brethren are coming in to help us to meet those needs.  As more damage assessment is completed there will probably be some specific needs to address.  But for now we are in fairly good shape.

We received the good news yesterday that the power is on at our Covington Church Hall.  The Hall received no damage.  One three foot diameter pine tree fell away from the hall, one just missed the end of the hall and one fell toward the center of the hall but was stopped by the limbs of two other trees.  Imagine that!  Services will be held at 11:30 this Sabbath.  In addition, a small group of brethren down in Homma, LA will have a tape service since the distance is to great to come to Covington.  While I believe that the New Orleans hall survived, it will be a while before we can get back into that area.

I think I can speak for all the brethren here in saying that we may have been down, but we are not out!  We are thankful for the outpouring of care and concern from everyone.

Rick Avent