God's Word

Of Christ and Katrina

Tracking a Complex Emergency
by editorial dept.

Hurricane Katrina was a catalyst triggering the most complex humanitarian disaster in US living memory. This page on urbana.org will feature ongoing updates for the next several days, as we struggle to understand and respond. You can also discuss the disaster and our coverage of it here (requires free login).

Tuesday, Septemper 13, 2005

12:49 posted by paul

Jon Stone spent much of the week in Saint Bernard and Plaquemine Parishes - East and South of New Orleans:

News of the horror the people endured in these areas still hasn’t gotten out. Their situation is bleak but they are full of courage and hope. I will not soon forget my short time with them. Everyone was more concerned with our welfare than they were about their own. They graciously thanked us for making the effort to come and help. I am humbled by their hospitality. Their stories keep running through my head. Here are some brief examples.

Damon was our very helpful (albeit angelic) roadside assistance when I had a flat on the passenger side front tire. Everyone else was concerned that our attempt to reach Saint Bernard and Plaquemine Parish was in vain. I reminded then that we were on the Lord’s errand. He would send help. Damon arrived minutes later in a Penske Mobile Truck Repair pick-up with a compressor, a huge jack, and all the right wrenches and sockets. Damon kept telling us how much he appreciated our help! I couldn’t believe it. What a wonderful servant and reminder of God’s provision. Within 30 minutes we were back on the road!

While driving through New Orleans to get to Saint Bernard and Plaquemine Parish we stopped to get our bearings. By God’s grace we had stopped in front the house of a man who had been trapped for a week. We were the first people he had seen. “Thank God”, he said as he stepped out on his porch. We took his information and gave it to the Army rescue team less than a mile away. They assured us that he would be rescued the next day!

Other residents enthusiastically greeted us from their second story vantage points as we drove slowly through the 3+ feet of water in the streets, unsure of what was in front of our tires.

The St. Bernard coroner was worried because he does not have any refrigerated storage for the many bodies that have been (and still need to be) recovered in his Parish. He has lost his home, his practice (full-time family practice), and most of his earthly possessions. Now he is going door to door to the bodies of neighbors trapped by the rapidly rising water.

The St. Bernard police, all of whom lost their homes, are steadfastly serving their friends and neighbors. They let us sleep with them in a refinery warehouse (one of the few placed in the Parish that did not flood) so we could distribute our food and water the next morning.

Plaquemine Parish residents were talking about the many hurricanes they weathered before without significant damage. They watched debris float by at the height of the levy. The levy to the north broke but the main levy by the shipping canal withstood the storm.

Linda in the Plaquemine Parish sheriff’s department was in tears, recounting her losses. She then went on to tell us that she had been cooking 2000 meals per day for the last week to feed the military, sheriff’s department, and emergency personnel living at Belle Chasse High School.

They remain in my prayers.

I am so grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank everyone who prayed for us. We had countless answers to prayer everyday! God kept us safe and on the road. He allowed us to encourage many who had lost everything, listening as they tried to make sense of everything they had seen and experienced. Thank you to all the students and friends to donated supplies. You have made a tangible difference! From food to diapers to water to batteries (and much more) your generosity reminded strangers who are in crisis that they are not alone. Thank you to all who donated gas money to keep us moving. We burned approximately 600 gallons of diesel fuel and delivered over 25,000 lbs of food, water, toiletries, ice, and diapers.

None of us can do everything but if we all do SOMETHING – we CAN make a difference!

Tonight my dad and I are resting in Missouri after a long day’s drive. I wish I could have stayed longer to help more but my responsibilities at home and at Michigan Tech require me to return home. I hope to be part of another InterVarsity project in the future.

Yokefellows in Christ,
Jonathan Stone

Monday, September 12, 2005

Jon Stone sent us some photos today to share with urbana.org.

7am posted by barry

The Church Responds:

These are just a few of the thousands of stories about how churches are responding to those in need:

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

22:39 posted by paul

Jon Stone is now in the hardest-hit areas. He asks for prayer for the people he is working with in New Orleans. He is in a small community of about 6,000 people southeast of New Orleans. It is estimated that about 1,000 of them have died, many of them still in their attics. He said the smell is so bad that it is overpowering. Neither the media nor the National Guard have made it to this area yet, so the police are working tirelessly to try to recover victims still alive. Yesterday they found three people, which is encouraging, but it is still an overwhelming and emotional task. The area is still under water, so his was the first shipment of food, water, and supplies to this area. Tomorrow he is headed to a nearby community to deliver supplies to the people there. He asked for prayer for the police and the survivors in this area. They are exhausted, physically and emotionally, and really need encouragement to face the long days ahead. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

16:25 posted by paul

John Stone was able to deliver the donation on Monday afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama. Students from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana contributed to the donation. More details to follow in the coming days.

Salvation Army has also availed itself of John's offer of his truck. As of Tuesday morning, John checked in from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was being sent to the New Orleans convention center under the auspices of the Salvation Army.

Monday, September 5, 2005

08:25 posted by paul

An Update from Paul Hughes, InterVarsity Team Leader for Birmingham:

Jon Stone is somewhere between Tuscaloosa, AL and Meridan, MS on his way to Jackson, MS this morning. He and his dad arrived in Birmingham last evening. InterVarsity regional fundeveloper Jamie Shields and I met the road-weary warriors for dinner and then Lucy and I put them up for the night. They left here at 6:30 after a big breakfast (with grits!) for the Katrina Zone.

The logistical command of the Salvation Army out of Jackson is eager to put them into action as soon as they arrive. We filled up 8 jerry cans of deisel fuel last night, since fuel is scarce in MS. We need to pray that fuel supplies start getting back into the system there.

Pete Almeida, an InterVarsity volunteer staff in Jackson, is a Residence Hall Director at Tougalou College. He drove down toward Gulfport a couple of days ago to take supplies and bring back people. Military police have the coast secured. Once Jon and his truck are put into service by the SA they will have FEMA clearance to enter restricted areas. Chris Klingenfus from Hattiesburg, Mississippi is staying here in Birmingham with his family until basic services are restored there. Chris has no idea how to get in touch with his Southern Miss InterVarsity students until phones and other systems get back on line.

I can say that the churches and faith based community in Birmingham have responded extremely well in meeting the needs of evacuees arriving here, some of whom may choose to live here long term. I am concerned about a Native American friend named Steve Cheramie Rising Sun who leads a church on the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation just north of Mobile. Steve is of the Biloxi and Houma tribes of the Gulf Coast and is exhausted in the efforts to serve displaced Native Americans relocating from Gretna, LA through the Poarch Creek Reservation. My friend and IVP author Randy Woodley is asking people to consider sending cash donations to help Steve Cheramie and the reservation church at this time. If this is something that IV staff and students might want to participate in I can pass along the address for directing funds through Steve.

That is about it for now. Pray for Myron Crockett, New Orleans staff whose chapters at Tulane and UNO don't even know when school when resume, but it is safe to say that this semester is shot. Myron needs direction to know how and where to serve students this Fall.

Blessings,
Paul Hughes
Team Leader - Alabama

Sunday, September 4, 2005

12:00 posted by paul

InterVarsity/USA has posted a Katrina update on their website, including news from Myron Crockett, staffworker at Tulane.

Saturday, September 3, 2005

7:03 posted by paul

Our first update from Jon Stone:

Good morning! I am in northern Wisconsin where I stayed the night with my wife's parents. Today I am headed to Green Bay to meet up with Bay Evangelical Covenant Church members that are putting together supplies and support for the project. They will accompany me to Oshkosh where I will pick up the big truck.

From Oshkosh I am off to Milwaukee where the InterVarsity chapters in the metro area are putting together more supplies. Bob Wolniak is organizing this effort. From Milwaukee I am off to West Lafayette, Indiana, to meet up with Greek students from the InterVarsity chapter there. My dad will join me here and help me with driving. Last night I received a call from Evanston, Indiana, that they want to help so I am taking a detour to pick up their support next. We will end our travels in Memphis, Tennessee, where we will stay with an Michigan Tech student's family. On Sunday morning we will pick up supplies from a Memphis church and then drive to Birmingham, Alabama.

Paul Hughes and his staff team have been working on our logistics from Birmingham south. Paul has been an invaluable friend and advocate in this project. If it weren't for him, I doubt we could have pulled the trip off! His staff team is also working to gather resources at a college in the area. Members of his team may accompany the truck into the disaster area. Last night Paul called and left a message that he has been able to make two very solid contacts in the recovery zone. He mentioned opportunities with the Salvation Army and Red Cross. I will get these details later today.

The response to the project has been tremendous. I am so grateful to see students, staff, and churches gather around this need with prayer, relief supplies, and financial support. I hope and pray that the delivery of these commodities will encourage those affected by Katrina as they are reminded that they are not alone. I will send another update with photos of the truck being loaded and some interviews with people who are helping later today.

Yokefellows in Christ,
Jon Stone

Jon Stone is an InterVarsity Staffworker at Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan.

Friday, September 2, 2005

16:28 PM posted by paul

There are countless ways to help.

Consider giving blood. The North American blood bank is always low, and it's always the same geographical regions (the Great Plains, primarily - one of the least populated districts of the United States) that supply the bulk of blood donations. This would be a great time for the rest of us to get on board with a simple act of lifegiving consequence. People are dying out there.

Give Money. World Relief - World Vision - Habitat for Humanity - Salvation Army

16:04 PM posted by paul

One InterVarsity staffworker is getting involved:

Hi. My name is Jonathan Stone. I am staff in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I moonlight as a forest fire fighter for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. I have an opportunity that I wanted to pass by you. I have a 6x6 military truck at my disposal. I would like to drive this vehicle down to New Orleans to help out. I have plenty of room (the truck holds 2 ½ tons) for supplies. Would any of you be interested in working with me to organize stuff to transport? I will be coming through Oshkosh, WI, West Lafayette, IN and Birmingham AL this weekend. I am thinking about water, blankets, food, medical supplies, etc. I may be able to get a trailer as well to increase my carrying capacity. Once in the area I hope to find a way to volunteer with the vehicle to transport people or supplies where necessary.

Yokefellows in Christ,
Jonathan Stone

John has agreed to keep urbana.org updated all week long. In a telephone interview, he said "Students are tired of the gore they see on TV. They want their faith to be relevant where there is real suffering. My desire for this trip is to exemplify our faith where there is need."

14:02 PM posted by paul

Welcome to Of Christ and Katrina. For starters, check out Urbana.org's WhirledView Blog entry (from August 30)

Also, see Christianity Today's always reliable weblog for a constant stream of faith-related Katrina links.

Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.

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