The Permian Basin Disaster Relief Feeding Unit, along with 2 other feeding units from Texas, and a shower unit from Lamesa, arrived late Wednesday morning to set up in the parking lot of the Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond, Louisiana. It had not been possible to notify the pastor of the church that they were coming. Just that morning he and his staff had gathered at the church to pray before heading out into their community to see what needs they could meet. They prayed specifically for someone to come, like Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and help them minister to the many people who were coming to their town for shelter. After several hours, they returned to the church to find the parking lot full of Disaster Relief trailers from Texas. Needless to say, they were praising God and gave the volunteers from Texas a very warm welcome.

The volunteers from the Permian Basin are from Odessa, Denver City, Lamesa, and Midland. (Gary Hoke and Miles Dory are from FBC Midland.) On the trip down, the last place that Gary was able to get fuel was a station where the attendant called his boss and got permission to sell some of what they had left, because they were with disaster relief. At one stop, a man came up and gave them a bag with three 20 oz. bottles of coke. He said that they would need them more than he would. They saw police officers stop people fighting over gasoline and bags of ice. When they stopped at the Whataburger in Louisiana, you could only drink milkshakes or orange juice because of the lack of water. Gary and those with him left Midland Thursday morning, and arrived in Hammond at 2 am Friday morning.

Electricity had been restored to the church sometime Thursday afternoon. The Red Cross had delivered food supplies on Thursday also, but at first they did not have enough refrigerator space for all the cold things. A refrigeration truck arrived soon after, and all was well. Local police officers patrol the area around the church constantly. You always hear sirens in the background. The volunteers take turns through the night guarding the trailers and equipment. Right around the church there isn’t much damage, except for fallen trees. Only 5 miles to the east, it is total devastation. Gary said it looks much like the destruction in Sri Lanka.

There are 5 shelters open in Hammond. Today 500 people were bussed in from New Orleans. National Guard troops are supposed to arrive in Hammond tomorrow to help. Today they cooked a stew and served about 3200 meals to people who drove through the church parking lot. The local news station began telling everyone to come to the church for a hot meal, so they expect to serve at least 20,000 tomorrow. Church members work the serving line, and the pastor is thankful for this incredible opportunity to build relationships. This afternoon 2 more refrigeration trucks pulled in to the church parking lot. When asked if the trucks were for food storage, the answer was no. These trucks carried corpses. The drivers had just stopped for a hot meal. Around 5 o’clock today a Louisiana State Congressman stopped by to speak to the volunteers. He thanked them and said he would be back on Saturday to work with them. He is Baptist and used to be a member of this congregation. There is a neighborhood in Hammond that is still water-locked. The Red Cross took food to them today, probably by boat. Water bottles were delivered today in trucks that usually carry coffins. Red Cross volunteers and FEMA officials are also staying at the church.

A cell phone tower had been repaired today and Gary was able to get a strong signal this evening, but it took him 45 minutes of trying before he was able to get the call to go through the overworked network. When they go into town to buy anything, customers always move them to the front of the line. It is very humbling. You can understand why disaster relief volunteers are only supposed to serve 4 days at a time, before going home to rest and refresh. (And deal with all the emotion you had to keep inside while working.) Gary and his friend Joe Stephens who drove the unit to Hammond will drive home on Monday. Texas Baptist Men have committed our Disaster Relief Units for at least the next 4 months. Pray that many will become believers as they receive a hot meal and a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.

The Permian Basin Disaster Relief feeding unit cooked and served over 18,000 meals today in Hammond, Louisiana. Most of the meals were handed to people as they drove or walked through the church parking lot of Woodland Park Baptist Church. They cooked one meal, almost all day long. Gary said they cooked 1125 pounds of rice. The Red Cross did carry some meals out to locations that could not get to the church.

Today they were given orders to relocate to the Cajun Dome in Lafayette. Only the Permian Basin unit will go there, to feed the 6 to 7 thousand people living in that facility. They will serve 12 to 15,000 meals, cooking two different meals each day. They will have the trailer packed up this evening, sleep at the church in Hammond, and pull out at 5 am Sunday morning. By noon they will have the first meal ready to serve at the Cajun Dome.

The other 2 units from Texas will go to other locations also. The Louisiana State Disaster Relief feeding unit will take their place in Hammond. Texas also had 2 Disaster Relief chainsaw units serving in Hammond. Because of the move to the new location, Gary may not come home until Tuesday. It is very hard to leave. I can tell you the facts, but the reality is that God is at work. He is meeting physical needs, touching hearts, and changing lives for eternity. Thank you all for your prayers.