Sunday September 25

Mary Jo, the ladies from Snellville arrived safely.

CJ and Tara, Dick Jones from Washington is here.

There are some Tallahassee brothers here and Harry says he knows GR and Gordon.

Chainsaw crew today for a man who had only one natural leg.

good church

good fellowship

good chapel service tonight (I've been enjoying leading singing)

showered during a beautiful pink sunset this evening

going to bed early tonight (soon as I finish this) Some dudes around here can't get enough of sawing logs in the day that they have to do it at night, too.

Everyone have a blessed week.

I'm going to leave you with an update letter from Doug Hines:

The morning is calmer than yesterday as the second storm in the past 3 weeks has now passed thru. Although its impact was not as great as its sister Katrina, it still delivered more carnage in the Western part of the State and again in New Orleans and the lower Parishes. Rains are expected to continue thru the week and additional flooding is expected to continue. After 3 weeks of news reports there is little doubt that we become numb and begin to focus on our own lives and return to the daily grind.

However, for the thousands in South Louisiana, the daily grind will never be the same. We continue to rebuild in St. Tammany and we see life and commerce return in Mandeville. We also see 1,000's of refugees on the streets looking for some relief from the storms from weather and what will be the storms in their lives for a long time to come.

The work here has been amazing...Over the past weeks we have sent out over one million dollars in relief, close to two million pounds in aid consisting of food, clothes, toiletries, diapers, water, generators, frozen foods, ice and anything that could be sent out. This went to Shelters, homes, even to Military personnel who needed to get food to their troops in the field, Fire Stations, Government offices and individuals in need. Medical teams were flown in and spent 2 weeks working in the clinics, the shelters, Government offices, Fire Stations, Military and to those that were in need as walked up. Volunteers from as far as Alaska, Montreal, Washington, So. California, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado, many more states responded to the call and in the past week we have managed over 500 helping hands. People came with Chain Saws, tools, cleaning equipment, trucks, trailers, mops and brooms and a shoulder to allow the hurting to cry on, God is known through the pain and suffering that we have seen and heard as we hear the tales of loss and his salvation. The teams were sent out to cut trees, repair homes, offer aid, and clean up. Through the past weeks we have been counseling and placing ministers in the front of the building to greet the people as they come up to look for aid and we offer them relief. The outpouring of love and support from you and others, the prayers that are offered up for these people in the name of God has been a tremendous comfort. The Torch Group, Whites Ferry Road and other groups have been here to help. Support from individuals has been unbelievable, from Terri Hatcher, Ute Chewning, The Stiker boys in San Diego, to Nicole Tindall.

However, make no mistake this is a crisis that will be going on for many years. So much has been lost in this area, the people have suffered greatly and healing of bodies and souls will take years. But these are a resilient people and as the shock of their losses wear off we can see the hope begin to return to their face.

This past week we finally got into St. Bernard Parish. I can tell you that the devastation that we witnessed was beyond description. 40% was completely destroyed and 50% was damaged. We saw the homes that had been searched and the mark of the an X on the side was left, one side for people found, one for those injured and the bottom for deaths. It is a horrible feeling to witness this, especially when you see a number at the bottom. We see homes in the streets as the waters picked them up and placed them there, boats everywhere, trees downed, mud up to 1 foot in the streets and the smell of death everywhere. Our medical mission was the first to visit and administer medication for the workers and it was the first time many of these men had outside contact since the storm hit. We met with Parish officials and again heard their story of how no one came for them for 9 days, they told me the story of how they found the Nursing home and attempted to rescue those that had perished, and finally we heard their pleas for help going forward. Looking at the devastation, it was if a nuclear mud bomb went off in the entire area. On the ride back tears streamed down our faces in silence and we struggled as we began to think what can one do. The one doctor left in the area was put in contact with our Gayle Davidson of Torch and arranged as Rita was approaching to transfer $350,000 of medicine to the Parish as well as committing to find more supplies and Doctors to help. Gayle has been a sent from God as what she has organized in a short time a way to save lives and give relief to lost souls.

So much to do, so much pain to heal. Our own homes have not been repaired and yet they are full of bodies here to support, the building is full of volunteers, supplies and hope. And then yesterday's storm starts all over again. Homes that were on the way to repair were flooded again, the levee break in New Orleans spilled down to St. Bernard and we have to look west to our brothers there and search out their needs. We will be putting together supplies today to take a trip west, look to get back down to St. Bernard to continue our work there and will continue his work here at our home.

We look at all that has happened and ask "How much can we take" and in this we know it is as much as God wills for us to take. We continue to pray for his strength and guidance as we work today and look at the future in this area.

Tammany Oaks in on the ground on the frontlines and needs your help. Prayers, volunteers, supplies will continue to be critical to the future of God's work here. The needs will change now as we move to the reconstruction and healing phase over the years ahead. Not just physical needs, but spiritual are critical for the people. God has called us and we are blessed to be on the front lines for his work and it is so much work. Please get the word out to all, Gods people are here in St. Tammany.

The work will now evolve and needs change and we will call upon you again and again. Make no mistake, we are devastated here, but we will rebuild and God will be glorified.

Tammany Oaks is located on the North shore of New Orleans. It is the closest church to the area that was not damaged by the storms.

Nehemiah 2.2; Why does your face look sad when you are not ill. This can be nothing but sadness in the heart. 2.5; If it pleases the King and if your servant has found favor in your sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried that I may rebuild it"

Bless you all.