Mission Trip Report - by Russell and Gwen Bowles
Our experience in Port Sulphur is very difficult to put into words. The images in our minds range from the joyful, radiant faces of our new friends raised in prayerful worship to the heartbreaking war zone-like surroundings. Port Sulpur is a very small town in the lower part of the Placquemines Parish- just below New Orleans. This eighty mile peninsula took the initial hit from Katrina creating a storm surge that resulted in twenty-five feet of water ravaging everything in sight. The damage was so severe that residents have just been cleared to return there in February 2006. Electricity (if you live close to the road) has just returned three weeks ago – many residents are still not connected. EVERY structure was damaged – many lifted from their foundations and found a half mile away. Just steps or a brick fireplace left on a concrete slab was a frequent sight. Just as frequent were the tiny FEMA trailers with families of five or six living nose to nose, most often without air conditioning. Abandoned cars tossed over and over by the storm surge dotted the roadside.
There are two gas stations now open on the peninsula and one grocery store operating out of a trailer (no meats). Therefore, folks would have to use precious fuel to drive at least 30 miles (and as many as 70 for some) to Belle Chasse for supplies. All this while trying to clear their land, sort through the shambles of their homes, struggle with insurance claims and unfulfilled promises of politicans and find work to provide of their families. Many of these folks live on ancestral lands that have been handed down through many generations. They love the area and want to return regardless. Others simply want to sell their land and move on elsewhere. Still others have no where else to go.
The area was home to many small congregations of all denominations and folks of all economic levels. A positive result from Katrina has been a “leveling on the playing field.” Folks have realized that they must all work together to honor God and help one another rebuild. An example of that cooperation is the feeding ministry where Russell and I worked for the week. Port Sulphur Baptist Church led by Lynn Rodrigue provides the property for the ministry - the concrete slabs and steel girders of their previous sanctuary and school. Grace Harbor Christian Church provides the experience of Martin and Sue Denesse to procure the needed supplies. On Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, volunteers from these churches and others in the community staff a food bank providing wheelbarrows full of food, water and ice to the lower Parish residents. Whatever shipments come in from Second Harvest & church groups on Tuesdays & Thursdays is divided among the 100+ families served each day. Volunteers rotate but the main day-to-day on-site responsibility lies with three precious ladies. They are strong hard workers but are tiring so the need for volunteers from VA is huge. One of them was rescued from the top of their floating trailer a true Noah’s Ark story. The other one endured evacuation from a local hospital with her very ill husband – three days on a bus to get treatment.
The ministry also serves as a support group as local folks share stories of hope and vent frustrations while waiting for their supplies. What is amazing is that this ministry is completely organized and run by local folks just helping out their neighbors without governmental assistance. Christians saw a need and stepped up to meet the need. In addition to meeting physical needs, the group surrounds every day with prayer. They are such mighty prayer warriors – every time prayer was offered, it was truly a worship experience. Russell and I spent the nights about 40 miles away at First Baptist Church of Belle Chasse. This community has recovered more fully from the hurricane. Our air mattress in a Sunday school room felt like the Ritz Carlton to our tired muscles! Yes, it was a tiring ministry – we’re not used to full days of physical labor. (Those cans are heavy!)But it was a satisfying kind of tiredness that put us right to sleep each night. One funny story was when Russell and Pastor Lynn hotwired a forklift at Homeland Security to get pallets of free bottled water. Free water but 40 miles away – the two of them solved that problem!
We worshipped with Pastor Lynn and about 20 others in the tents that serve as a sanctuary on the first Sunday we arrived. At the front is a cross they salvaged from their church that reads Jehovah – Jireh – God, the Provider! How fitting!
God provided through Spring Hill with some designated Katrina funds. A pallet jack was purchased to help move the heavy loads, a battery charger will be used to keep a donated feeding bus started. On Saturday, a community rally was held on the property. Spring Hill provided hamburgers for the picnic. Meats are a rarity so this was a treat. Spring Hill also purchased supplies for children’s activities during the rally. Russell and I had fun directing shaving cream races, skittle spitting, balloon relays, stories and crafts. Spring Hill also bought diesel fuel to run the refrigeration truck.
VA Baptists are also helping to provide. Very soon a modular building donated by VA Baptist will be on the Port Sulphur Baptist Church site. This building will be able to house future volunteers on site as will as provide an air-conditioned place to worship. (It is very hot there.) There are plans for a second building to be sent later. The church dreams of starting back their Christian school and using the second modular eventually as a warehouse for the food ministry. Please pray for these courageous folks and consider giving to help their ministry. Yes, God will provide. Let it be through those who show they are Christians by their love.
