Posted in Hurricane Katrina Relief Updates

Hi Everyone!

I wrote an update with pictures last week after coming home from our trip to South Mississippi. In that note, I said that I would also write about many other things that we saw while we were down there ministering for hurricane relief. Well, ugh...this is one biggie that I have to update you guys on...

Well, I do not like writing ANYTHING negative, but I really think that many of you need to know what is going on down there. There may be areas that the Red Cross and Salvation Army have been able to step up to the plate and help in, but the vast majority of hurricane affected areas in this disaster have found them MIA. No food, no relief, no efforts to date, and no plans for relief efforts.

We had several from our team go to the Red Cross. They were told that the needs in the Laurel area were met. They were told this at a time that we had people coming in by droves needing just a bit of help and relief. We fed over 50 people hot meals from our overflow--they had no hope of other hot meals. Salvation Army was NEVER in their area during this time of need. They told those offering to help that there were no needs there in Laurel, that all was taken care of, yet those that heard about our efforts on the radio and those that we got into their neighborhoods ministering to them have a completely different story. They are crying out for help, yet these organizations and their leaders are saying that there are "no needs." This bothers me!

This was not the only time we ran into this from these organizations. One of the helpers at the shelter that we helped clean up said that they called the Salvation Army to ask if they could bring clothes for those in need. They were told that there "WERE NO NEEDS." They asked them what to do with these donations. Then, they were  told, "We don't care what you do with them. We have more than we can STORE here. You can take them and pile them in your parking lot for a bonfire if you want."  (!!!!!!!--Does that make anyone as mad as it does me???)

There are needs! The offices for Salvation Army and the Red Cross were CLOSED during this time. What are they doing? This is their time to work???? WHY are clothes STORED when they need to get to the people???? Where are hot meals???  These people went over 2 weeks without electricity and their were on the outer edges of the destruction. Yes, ask them--they HAVE NEEDS! They have no idea how their needs will be met!

I believe that these normal "saviors" are failing for a very good reason. This is NOT their hour to shine. It is our precious Lord's hour to shine. The needs are sooo vast. The needs are sooooo overwhelming. Only God can meet needs such as these!  AND...is God shining bright? Hallelujah, YES! This is His finest hour after Calvary! People KNOW IT and SEE IT in a mighty way.

I cannot tell you the number of times that people blurted out "GOD SENT YOU" when we walked up to help them. They were at their end and needed desperately help that they could not afford and had no idea where to even go to get that help. GOD SHOWED UP moving and doing for them through crazy people like us!

Soooo, my take on the best way to give and help directly??? Well, I believe that this is the time for the church to arise. We cannot sit back and leave this help for organizations that are not able (or willing) to meet these needs. This is going to take a grass-roots effort of believers getting in there and doing directly what they do best. The needs are too great to not GO this time ourselves.

We are going in October 7-10. Wanta go? Wanta be a part? We would love for you to be a part of really helping those in need! Just let us know how you would love to help!

Love,

Cindy

Source:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cindyrushton/