Headed Back

Lull in the action, so I'm headed back to Tennessee.

Jason

Cameron Parish Grim--October 26

No photos today . . . Cameron Parish just too grim to photo. This parish, south of Lake Charles and right on the Gulf of Mexico. . . is gone . . . the cities of Creole, Oak Hill, Cameron, Grand Chanier . . . gone. One newspaper report indicates only 20 buildings in the entire parish WON'T have to be rebuilt from the ground.

It's estimated it will be 6 months before the debris is removed, electricity/sewage/water restored, and people are allowed to rebuild. Recovery Centers in Lake Charles and Lake Arthur soon will stand ready to coordinate UMCOR relief dollars and United Methodist and other volunteers who will be there when new homes, new communities, and new lives rise from the ashes.

Down on the Bayou

Jason

Rita Rips Route 82--October 25

Following Route 82 in south central Louisiana, you will find miles and miles of flooded homes and piles and piles of debris by the highway. Sue, of the small town of Edith, was glad to hear UMCOR and the Methodists were going to work in the area because she knows an elderly woman and lots of others who don't know what they are going to do without some help.



Near the coast on Route 82, Rita's surge was so powerful, many homes of Pecan Island were swept off their foundations. The pastor of Abbeville UMC (see previous post) and Pecan Island UMC, says "of the 50 active members, only 2 families had homes NOT swept off their foundations." I expect tomorrow to see much the same 80 miles further west in Grand Chenier and Cameron.

Communities Pull Together--October 24

Abbeville UMC is posed to be one of 10 possible Lousiana Conference UMC Recovery Centers, made possible in large part to the generous contributions to UMCOR Hurricanes 2005 Katrina, and Rita. A Director, Construction/volunteer Coordinator, Case manager, and Assistant will work to connect resources, information, volunteers, and more to restore life to their area. The other major factor in these life giving centers is the faith that volunteers from UM's everywhere who will come and stand with communities be it 1, 5, or more years.

Like Lake Charles, Abbeville and all of Vermillion Parish (parish is what they call counties) have united with one purpose, restore lives and communities. Civic, governmental, and religious organizations, all working together. Few more beautiful pictures have every been painted. In this primarily rural area, one parish has seen over 1,000 homes flooded by Rita's surge.


Rev. Vining recalls his experience when Hurricane Emily hit several years ago. After the storm he saw groups from all different churches and organizations . . . and wondered where the Methodists were? His frustration eventually turned to amazement when the "connection worked" and he saw Methodists, and mostly Methodists, there for the long run to rebuild the community. He believes we could do more on the front end, but is already overwhelmed by the "connection" working and moving the recovery forward.

Love and prayers from the Bayou

Jason

New Life in Lake Charles--October 23

As the sun burst new on the day, signs of rebirth came forth at worship at Lake Charles First UMC. People gone since Rita continue to return and to recover. Images flash on the wall, "Sunday school resumes today," even as the muscians greet those just back. Things are rough on the outside, but smooth and cozy on the inside. 3-week old Ryerson received baptism as family stood close and through song the congregation welcomed him into the family of God.

A little farther south, at the late service, University UMC holds its 2nd service back in the Sanctuary, showing the same spirit of faith, hope, and rebirth. Daycare to start on Monday, all kids back in school Tuesday, and the city has asked churches and organizations to organize things like "Trunk or Treat," since there will be no citywide Trick or Treat this year. Volunteer in coming months and you may just be staying here.

Mmmm! Crawfish 3 Ways!--October 22

Most of my contacts taking deserved day off from chaos of past months . . . so I must do the same.

How to spend my time down on da' bayou? Crawfish of course. The Blue Dog in Lafayette served them up right, some fried, some in etoufee, some in seafood gumbo, all served with corn maque choux and fries . . . oooh, 'dat some good eatin'.

Down on da' Bayou

Jason

Forgotten Beneath the Tip of the 'Berg--October 21

Trees fell . . . roofs peeled . . . water flowed, and the small community of Lake Arthur, LA was forgotten beneath the tip of the 'Berg. Media and relief agencies had bigger catfish to fry, and Lake Arthur sat forgotten after Rita passed by.

Rev. Sue Pugh and 50 active members of First United Methodist Church, Lake Charles, would not let their community be forgotten and made the Earth move. Their action brought aid by National Guard and Red Cross and relief supplies from fellow Methodists in Lafayette, LA. For miles around, they were the only game in town. Soon they will be the center of Recovery as building supplies and volunteers come to set things right. (Photos of church to come)

Media coverage may show us the tip of the 'Berg, but more lies beneath the surface . . . great, long-suffering of God's children, as well as, unbelieveable faith in action as local communities and their partners set out on the road to restoration. For 5 . . . 10 . . . or more years, United Methodists and others will be in cities, parishes, forgotten towns and communities, working beneath the surface that "God's will be done on Earth, even as it is in Heaven."

Love and prayers from the Bayou

Jason