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Rev. Michael Scudder, whose name I cannot say without chuckling, called me bright
and early Friday morning to inform me that Pastor Philip Miller was safe and sound in
the Woodlands, TX. Thank God!
One of the happiest emails was from Pastor Larry Beane, Associate Pastor in
Salem in Gretta, LA, on Friday. He began by addresssing me as "Father." How could I be deserving of a such a title? He's the faithful one. I'm just a poor miserable sinner who seems to mess up and doesn't always confess myself clearly. He then states some really happy news:
Thanks for all of your work and efforts.... If reports are accurate that
Salem L.C. is in good shape, we hope to use it as a hub for relief efforts in
New Orleans.
What a great word that is from New Orleans! Salem is on high ground in
New Orleans. That would mean a place for worship, relief work, and to
gather for Lutherans who return to the city. Please pray for this to be true!
I received this email yesterday...
Rev. Limakatso Nare is safe with friends
and family in the Austin, TX area..... He's heard from a few of his parishners, but anxiously
awaits word from more.
Pastor Nare's concern is the concern of all pastors displaced by the
Hurricane: Are my sheep safe? Let your pastor know. Contact
him. Sometimes that isn't possible. Information is what is so very important. One of the major struggle for
family and friends right now is communication. The lines are all messed up and it's next to
impossible to reach anyone. Families are separated, not knowing where
there loved ones are. Today, in church, we heard that someone
finally got in touch with their brother. Imagine, going a week without
knowing anything! With this
in mind, the LCMS website has a wonderful
Safe List to let others know where their friends and family are.
Totally cool! Please let others know that our Synod is doing this.
The best way to get in touch with someone in
Louisiana is to use an analog phone. When I try to call home with my cell
phone, I get "all circuits are busy" so many times that it makes me want to
throw my phone into Conroe Lake.(smile) But if I use the analog phone in my house
and dial, I can get through in four or five tries.
Here is the news out of Houston from the
Houston Chronicle. But, I think the most sad story today was from
APNews entitled
"New Orleans Begins Counting Its Dead."
This report out of the UK is just startling:
New Orleans a 'ghost town' for 9 months. How could this happen in America?
Issues Etc and KFUO have been
just unbelievable resources to hear what's going on. They've been
interviewing pastors and laity from the area all week. Check it out!
Here are some other opportunities for donating and helping in Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama:
Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Baton Rouge has a wonderful page which
lists what is needed and a paypal link for you to donate to. It is also
the temporary home of the
Southern District. President Schultz himself has been displaced, as his home was in the New Orleans area. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts..
Thrivent has increased it's pledge for relief for Hurricane response to $2
million (woot!). Here's how you can help.
I've mentioned LCMS World Relief and Human Care a few times, but I have never given the link. If you wish to donate, you can -
donate here!
You can also donate to the congregations of Pastor Nare, Brda, and Miller, and many others by sending aid to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge. Here's their address again:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
5990 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4113
(225)766-4610
More news coming....
Edited on: September 06th, 2005 11:17 pm
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