Disaster Relief: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita & Wilma

From Joy, San Antonio

Abby and I went to the Windsor Park shelter on Friday. Every time I go I am amazed at the army cots stretching across these huge spaces. I couldn’t help but wonder how people could handle living altogether with hundreds of strangers. Meeting Linda gave us insight into why so many are still in the shelters while others have moved on to begin their lives again.

We saw Linda sitting on her bed with her leg up. When we looked across the room, she called us over to sit down with her. She
explained that she had been bitten by spiders and her leg had swollen so much she had to keep it elevated. She said she had been sick most of the time since her evacuation. Her resistance was so low that she needed strong antibiotics or she would have had to have her foot amputated. (more…)

From Pandita and Ira, San Antonio

We went back to the Windsor Park Shelter on Sunday to announce the winners of the coloring contest and meet some of the parents. We had a box of presents, children’s posters, and Pudding the Clown (Ira) entertained the children. The chaplain in charge was very thankful for the encouragement we were able to share with the families. We had been praying with different people there, including a 16 year old girl who wanted to get involved in helping us. Ira also went around to the medical and service volunteers giving balloon bracelets. That caused a wave of inspiration and good humor with all the workers.

On our way out we were stopped by the chaplain because he knows we want to minister to the children but the environment is not conducive to a peaceful atmosphere. He gave us the phone number of a bishop and said this man is trying to set apart a place for us to have Sunday School with the children and classes with the teens and adults.. That would be a real answer to prayer because it would be a place where we can separate ourselves from the noise and confusion that exists in most of the rooms. There was a rumor that this shelter would be closing soon, but at this meeting the chaplain said they have a commitment of a year for the shelterto be open and we will be able to continue to be an encouragement to those there.

From David, Houston TX

This week a number of teens and young people from the Family International in Houston went to the Astrodome and Reliant Center to take time talking personally to the evacuees to lend a listening ear and an understanding heart. At first we didn’t really know what to expect but it seemed that to many, the biggest need was having an opportunity to talk to someone who cared and listened and lent a helping “heart”.

Going cot to cot we were able to talk and listen to many and we also prayed with 114 evacuees who received Jesus into their hearts. Living so close together day to day, people knew each others state and weaknesses and needs a lot more than usual and after we were there a while, people started pointing out their friends and family they felt really needed Jesus.

We saw many immediate answers to prayer, including one woman who was distraught because she couldn’t find anyone she knew, but shortly after having prayer to locate her loved ones, she found them. Thank the Lord!

* Jason, 18, on the left, has spent hours ministering and sharing God’s Word with 100’s of Katrina’s victims, listening to their heart-cries and giving them God’s answer- Jesus.

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From John, New Orleans:

Upon entering New Orleans we saw despondent 6 year old Nicolas sitting on the curb beside all the flood debris. We stopped to talk with him. He explained what he had experienced as Hurricane Katrina roared through and shook his house. We prayed with him to receive Jesus and left him with a poster called, “Heavenly Helper,” and a coloring book; we also prayed with him for Jesus to protect and supply for him and his family.

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Today 3 volunteers from the Family International —Leilani, Maria, and Charity—volunteered at the George R. Brown Convention Center. We had actually done several Christmas shows at the center this past year, so for us it was really quite amazing to see how different it looked.

Hundreds of cots and mattresses filled the huge rooms for quite a distance, but the convention center was actually quite organized in comparison with the Astrodome.

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Astrodome witnessing to the evacuees from New Orleans had become one of our favorite things to do, as we would always meet such precious people who had gone through so much. Our songs to them, and listening to their stories, had been the medicine that had healed so many of their hearts.

Tuesday on our way to the Astrodome, we got a call asking if we could help distribute three 40 foot trucks full of toys. When we got there we found out a FM radio station from Miami had been petitioning its listening audience for 5 days for toys for the children in the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. When the trucks had arrived at the Astrodome, officials wouldn’t let the truck unload their goods because they thought the distribution of the toys would cause a riot inside the Astrodome.

As it’s pretty hard to corral and control thousands of screaming children. One of the representatives from the Family International persuaded them that with barricades and sufficient personnel it could be done safely, and this would bring such cheer to the children. So radio listeners, Family members, Red Cross representatives and police were able to bring the joy of Christmas a little early this year.

Each child was able to fill up a big bag of the toys of his choice. How wonderful it was so see the smiles on the faces of these children who had gone through so much. Most of them had lost their homes and had no idea what the future would hold for them. So Christmas, a little early, is just what Jesus ordered for them.

After performing in Houston Shelters our singing team heads for Ground Zero — New Orleans

First Request: Singing for “Church in the Restaurant!”
Our team drove through the night to hold four Sunday Services in a restaurant that suddenly got converted into a feeding station for 2,000 police, military and rescue workers. Though very tired, the singing team managed to get a good response from the early bird diners at the 8:00 A.M. Service with their rendition of a New Orleanian favorite, “This little light of mine!”

(left to right Karen, Conchi, Clare, Ken, and Jaz — “The Ground Zero Singers!”

Helping to Feed the Police, Military and Rescue Workers Between Singing Breaks

Karen and Conchi helping to serve the food!

Between services, the singing team helped prepare and serve the delicious meals prepared by our very good friend Glen Guidy, who had to quickly learn how to feed 10 times more people than usual. At first it was a bit hectic, but we managed to survive putting in long 14 hour days relying on a lot of prayer to mantain our “good humor.”

Yes, we even do “Take Out” home delivery!

Karen and Daisy bringing delicious grilled Tuna “take out” to the electric repair men.

Grisly Allen “on the alert” making sure no one loots during his watch!
Since not everyone could come to the restaurant we brought food to those still stranded in their homes and the building crews. One interesting fellow who really enjoyed the “shrimp and crawfish etouffe was Allen, who we nicknamed “Grisly Allen.” He stayed through the storm in his house and then the next day rounded up the stray dogs left behind to care for and feed them. He loved our visits, songs, food and prayers.

Music helps the Vaccinations “Not Hurt So Much!”

Our next singing “engagement” was at the West Jefferson Hospital where vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, and Tetanus were being administered. Many of the “vacinees” told us how they “didn’t feel a thing” during the shots as they were “distracted” listening to our lovely songs of comfort and hope.

Caleb distributed some beautiful color story books to the children getting their shots while the singers “did their thing!”

Many modern heroes Big and Small

It was so inspiring to see the many people who stayed behind to help in any way that they could. Amongst the many was a good friend of ours who has been working around the clock with many other medical personnel maning the hospital and vacination center! Mark stayed even when the hospital was “under seige” by the looters!

Surprise performance for Mass held at the Hospital

When the kindly mannered Priest who was giving Mass at the Hospital saw us with our guitars he asked if we knew any “hymns.” Many of the doctors, nurses and patients were moved to tears by the songs, and later commented how motivated they were to see teens helping out so cheerfully!

Soldiers and Police encouraged by “God’s Word!”

Happy Norman happy to be performing with our happy singers!

Military men “Line Up” to get their Gospel Posters Autographed by the Girls

Singing for the Brave Military who “held down the fort” at the Airport

Singing for Radio France Reporter at Airport!

Rescue Worker “breaks down” in tears as he falls on his knees in prayer during “Peace in the Midst of Storm” song!

Our Wild Bunch of Singers will Sing Anywhere!

Stay tuned for more “ACTION” from the Ground Zero Singers!!! Or better yet, come and join us on the front lines!

By Stephen

The Family International has been providing entertainment for the Children’s Activity Center at the Houston Astrodome, where nearly 8,000 evacuees are still being housed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Activity Center is being operated by the American Red Cross and volunteers from Houston from the Houston area. The following is a video clip of our own “Sunshine Singers” performing for the kids.

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After praying about what to do concerning the Hurricane Katrina, the Lord surprised us by telling us to stay put for the moment and He would show us what to do. Eventually His plan became apparent to us when the Evacuees began flooding into our area to take up residence in Churches, Sports Centers and Red Cross Shelters. We then realized that the “Relief Effort” had come to us and there was plenty to do.

We first registered with the Red Cross to go through their orientation program so that we could be available for help in the shelters. This has proven to be a good first step as it has gotten us involved with relief efforts in providing food and shelter for the incoming evacuees.

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