By TODD HALLMAN
Twelve years ago this week Hurricane Katrina pounded the gulf coast and floods devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas where I was living. For many, life came to a halt. In one day, many lost everything they owned and life would never be the same. Following the storm, thousands upon thousands of work crews came to assist in clean-up and rebuilding. Millions upon millions of dollars flooded into the area to assist those in need.
As a pastor of a church located outside of New Orleans, we set up a food, clothing, and a supply distribution center. We housed doctors and nurses from Philadelphia, Penn., who had come to help as first responders. We tried our best to wipe people’s tears and to provide them with whatever we could in order for them to maintain their dignity and personal drive.
What we never expected was how much bureaucracy would stall services. We were in the need of band-aids and anti-bacterial ointment. I met everyday with leaders from other organizations in order to decide the best ways to meet the growing needs of those affected by the storm. I was looking for advice and counsel from some national organizations that are supposed to be equipped to handle these types of disasters, and I personally asked the director of a regional office for those band-aids and ointment that were needed. I was informed that I would have to fill out a page to request how many band-aids and how many tubes of ointment I needed. They would then drive my request 70 miles away and I should have my supples within 3-5 business days. I told her all I need is several boxes of band-aids and several tubes of ointment. I am not requesting any controlled substances nor big items. She told me everything, every band-aid, must be accounted for and logged. I was in a state of shock! Surely we could do better in our response.
I realized something vitally important — faith-based organizations during Katrina were much better suited in handling and getting necessary supplies in the hands of those that need it. Churches did not have the red-tape that other organizations had. And as a person and a pastor who lived through this, I will always support faith-based initiatives in providing help. In short, the Church gets the job done!
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, many in our community are concerned and want to know what to do. Together we can make a difference. The coming weeks and months will provide many opportunities for service. First and foremost, I am calling our churches to pray for those affected and to pray for the volunteers and first responders as they continue to deal with the aftermath of this storm and as flood waters continue to rise. Second, you can give to reputable organizations. The North American Mission Board (www.namb.net) is receiving funding. 100 percent of what you give will go to assist the people of Texas as they seek to put their lives back together. You can also give via texting SENDRELIEF to 41444. And if you are not comfortable in doing that online you may send a check to First Baptist Church, 212 E F Street, Elizabethton, TN, and mark your check “Send Relief.”
A third way that we can get involved as a community is to volunteer. You can volunteer by going to (www.namb.net/Harvey). At this site you can select various dates you are available and what skills you have to offer. The more we are mobilized and organized the better we will be in meeting people’s needs. Let us commit to helping other people.
We show how great Americans can be when we come together in tragedy and support each other through life’s most difficult storms. May we prayerfully consider how we can become involved in impacting people’s lives for the better.