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Hurricane Katrina - A call to the Christian family: Pray, Donate, and Respond!
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The scope of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction is incomprehensible. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is demolished, New Orleans is almost entirely underwater, and the hurricane left a trail of destruction spanning eight states and thousands of miles. With needs so urgent and so incredible...
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"It is a very bad disaster in terms of human life."
— Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour
"My family's an old Mississippi family. I had antiques, 150 years old or more, they're all gone. We have just basically a slab."
— Anne Anderson, Gulfport
"I never thought I would see any devastation like this, and I've lived here more than 30 years. But at least we have our lives. And that's something."
— Ed Gruber, New Orleans
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PLEASE SEND THE MOST COMPASSIONATE GIFT YOU CAN
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"Money is what is most needed"
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PRAY
America was founded on the principle of prayer. Throughout its history, the American people have joined together in prayer for our country – in the midst of struggles, happiness, wars, celebrations, and crises.
We are yet again at a point of terrible crisis in our country. While we sit at home and watch the news coverage of the terrible devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, thousands of people are living through the worst days of their lives.
They need so much from us, and we must give what we can, but the most important thing we can give is prayer. We must pray diligently and fervently for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. We must pray for strength to endure these hard days, for healing for those who are sick and injured, for comfort and peace for those who have lost loved ones, for those who are separated from their families, and for those who are facing the unknown.
We must also pray for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and other organizations. We must pray for the rescue workers, relief workers, and other volunteers. They are working long hours, trying to find survivors, trying to comfort the victims, trying to provide food, shelter, clothing, and peace of mind. They have left their own families and loved ones to help others in desperate need.
We must pray for the leaders of the local and state governments, for the mayors and governors, and for President Bush as they try to bring order to the chaos, hope to the hurting, and supplies to the needy. Pray for the National Guard troops and local and state police as they try to keep lawful control in the midst of looters and other criminals.
As the survivors are sent out to other states for shelter, please pray for each community, that they may be able to provide food, clothing, and sense of normalcy for the refugees. Many churches are opening for these people. Pray that the Christians in each area can provide comfort and hope in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ so that Christ may love each person through us.
Finally, pray about how you might be able to help in tangible ways, either by donating funds or by giving clothing and food donations, toys and school supplies for children, or by giving your time to help in the relief effort.
By God’s grace, our country can recover from this. May His Name be glorified in all that is said and done.
DONATE
You can donate to the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief by clicking below, choosing a Charitable organization on
the following page or contact a relief organization of your own choice.
You don't need to feel as if you must give a lot, if "everyone gave
only a little", there would be more than enough to supply any need. Let's be good stewards and ambassador's for
our Savior, it could be we are all here at this time for just this reason!
Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina disaster
relief
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RESPOND
Sometimes a crisis comes along that tugs at our hearts and requires a more personal response. If you feel God is calling you to get more actively involved, please respond to that call! Following is a list of ideas that might help jumpstart your thinking on ways to help. This page will be updated as it becomes clearer exactly what is needed.
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Gather all the extra clothes, blankets, and personal items you have in your home and donate them to an organization that can distribute them effectively.
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Distribute a flyer in your neighborhood inviting your neighbors to join you in this effort to gather clothes. This will multiply your efforts dramatically and may open the door to evangelism as your neighbors see you as someone who cares about other people.
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Open your home to people who are displaced. This can be an incredible way to bless someone and to be blessed yourself. There is nothing more personal than opening up your home to strangers.
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Consider offering transportation services if you have a truck, trailer, van, or large passenger vehicle.
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Contact your church and see what they are doing that you might be able to plug in to.
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Do a personal skill inventory to determine if there is a specific area of gifting that you might be able to serve in (examples: construction, landscaping, cooking, etc.).
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Donate blood and encourage others to do the same.
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If you have children, involve them in the relief effort by having them donate. If they don’t have their own money, allow them to do work around the house to “earn” money that they can then donate.
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If you are involved in a youth group or a church group, hold a
Christian fundraiser to raise extra funds for donating. A cause like a Hurricane Katrina Relief fund will touch
the hearts of even the most committed believer or unbeliever. Take it to the local business community as well as
your neighborhood, the response will be exciting.
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