Please Don't Forget About Us!

September 16, 2008

Cameron Parish, LA

Excerpts From E-Mails -- Bayou (Louisiana) Conference

From Pastor Walt Ehrhardt

Hello all ...

I want to ask that we all keep our attention to the fact that while landfall of IKE occurred in Galveston-Houston in Texas, IKE brought damage to 11 LA parishes that are now a federal disaster area. Cameron Parish is destroyed.

Once again, Southwest LA is on the verge of being overlooked.

Folks ... let's be careful not to do that. GUSTAV wreaked considerable damage to Baton Rouge, far greater that BETSY (1965) and IKE followed with an impact worse that RITA for SW LA Gulf Coast and western LA. Governor Jindal's report last evening was 75% of the state has been impacted.

Not only will the TX economy be affected, so will the economy of all the states which have been visited by IKE. This ... coupled with the bad news on Wall Street today ... and the anxiety about the outcome of the anticipated Presidential election ... all adds up to what can be challenging time for all.

Once again, another hurricane will overshadow the damages done by a fellow storm ... IKE will overshadow GUSTAV.

As leaders amidst God's people, let us continue to hold to the hope that our faith in the Immauel-God will enable us to stay the course. We are called to serve as we all endeavor to fulfill the Spirit's "sending-call" -- make disciples!

Shalom!
Walt Ehrhardt EdD

Blog Entries From Pastor Tim Norris

September 15th, 2008 at 9:45 am -- St. Paul, Lake Charles
Lake Charles had little damage. Debris and limbs. I’ve seen no trees down. Low lying areas flooded including homes. Some are still without power. Some small communities south of here are flooded. St. Paul had some wind and driven rain issues but we worshipped on Sunday. Some folks evacuated but most stayed. No reports of wind or flood damage to members homes.

Trinity, Orange
Orange suffered extensive damage. Nine feet of water came into the downtown area. It’s been difficult finding information since all power and all communications were out including most TV and radio. 35-40% of Orange flooded. Possibly 3 wks or more before power is restored. No one was allowed in Orange until yesterday, and then only as far as the water had receded. Orange is still under a mandatory evacuation and curfew. No damage to Trinity but it is quite likely that some church members homes are flooded. National Guard and Red Cross are there. Some ice, water, generators, MREs available. I think they got every one out of homes, attics and off roofs.

September 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Orange
Latest Advisory as of 9 AM Sept. 15.
Mandatory evacuation order still in place but evacuees are allowed to return only to assess damage to their property. Curfew begins at 6 PM.
No water, food, ice, or fuel available.

A Call for Help

Any person or congregation from S LA planning to send relief/help/supplies/volunteers intended for SE TX and SW LA may contact me. I am volunteering St. Paul, Lake Charles as an intermediate collection/distribution/staging site. We have power. We can arrange to get relief/supplies/volunteers into SE TX and SW LA via St. Paul or Trinity, Orange (without power but dry). South Calcasieu Parish and Cameron Parish (presently closed) got hit. Jefferson and Orange Counties in TX are a mess (including the communities of Bethlehem, Beaumont; St. John, Port Arthur; St. Mark, Bridge City (100% flooded); Trinity, Orange. I will also try to contact asap the SETIO folks in Port Arthur who have a network in place already from Rita.

Tim Norris
337-477-5047 (home)
337-499-7532 (cell)
timotzar@yahoo.com

To see more photos from Cameron Parish, Louisiana, click here.