Disaster Relief: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita & Wilma

By: Robert Haskell

We visited a High School in Woodlands, Texas being used as a shelter for the handicapped. Two days after Hurricane Rita struck, Cheerup International was there to bring love and laughter. The Lord helped us lift the spirits of this mature generation through our vivacious songs. They wanted to get out of their wheelchairs and dance with us.

Before leaving for Lafayette Louisiana, we all spent several days loading donated supplies into a container truck that was going to meet us in Lafayette.

(Below) This is the Cajun Dome in Lafayette Louisiana., temporary home to a 1,000 homeless people of Hurricane Katrina. A month after Katrina struck, the evacuees were forced to vacate again due to the ominous approach of Hurricane Rita. Now it holds victims of both Katrina and Rita.

(Below) Here, Daisy is comforting Lina who evacuated from New Orleans to Lafayette a month ago. Last week she had to evacuate from Lafayette because of Rita. Now she has returned to Lafayette and the Cajun Dome, where she is caring for her daughter, Lisa, who just went through a gall bladder operation.

Sometimes, just a listening ear or a few words of comfort or assurance are what make a difference to these souls. To let them know God cares and He knows everything that they are going through. Lina told Daisy that she is a Christian, but she felt lost and didn’t know how to approach God and that she didn’t know how to fight all the fears. She felt overwhelmed with worries and uncertainties. Daisy gave her an Activated magazine about why God allows suffering and then prayed with her. Asking God to give her a peace that wouldn’t fail (Is 26:3) and for God to release His Care upon her life.

(Below) Here we are singing to on-looking Red Cross officials outside the Cajun Dome. We were accompanied by a New Orleans resident that was already serenading his fellow citizens with his delightful clarinet playing.

Here, Daisy and Robert are talking to a one month resident of the Cajun Dome. He told us he knows his house was flooded badly and he’s leaving for the first time next week to see what’s left.

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.

(more…)

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!