Friends,

Yesterday, Louisiana Family Forum’s Pastors Resource Council received a call from Gov. Blanco’s office citing an urgent need for insulin, antibiotics and sterilization items in the Belle Chase, Louisiana area.

PRC Compassion responded immediately! Pastor Mark Stermer from Healing Place Church and I, along with Pastor Dennis Watson of Celebration Church in Metairie (whose church is under 3 feet of water) boarded a helicopter and flew in with much needed medical supplies to the severely affected people.

En route, our view of downtown N.O. was one of total destruction!



When we arrived, we had the privilege of praying with a deputy sheriff whose family had not seen him in 12 days. He was not sure of their well being, and his house was damaged. The deputy has been spending his days clearing roads with a bulldozer while reporting back to others the status of their possessions. In his words, “My world has been turned upside down.” Please keep this man and his colleagues in your prayers.

You can also read in the DeRidder News, where PRC Compassion is running a center for evacuee relief, that:

“The Relief Center, which is located in the old K-Mart building on N. Pine Street, has also received several 18-wheelers full of supplies from PRC Compassion. As part of the group's statewide relief efforts, a 12-man crew was sent to the area to help in any way they could.

"In conjunction with the generous outpouring of supplies from our hometown people, PRC has been a major contributor in the effort here," Kennis Smith, PRC member and pastor at Christway Church, said. "With just a phone call, we can activate the trucks rolling in our direction." Among the supplies sent by PRC Compassion have been food, water, clothing and cleaning supplies.

Also of note, the Bush Administration has prepared debit cards in the amount of $2,000 for distribution to the families displaced by the hurricane. To receive the cards displaced citizens must be registered with FEMA. If you are working with displaced families from New Orleans, or other areas affected by the hurricane, please make sure that they are registered with FEMA. Evacuees in private homes and churches must register on their own. Displaced people can register on-line at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Most of the churches that are providing relief to the thousands of displaced citizens have not received any governmental assistance. If you would like to support local churches in meeting the needs of these hurting families, please let us know. As the Lord provides, we will continue this vital mission!

In His Service,

Gene Mills
Executive Director
Louisiana Family Forum