BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA (PNS) – Cleanup continues in the aftermath of devastating flooding in the Gulf Region, two weeks ago. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is on the ground providing assistance to the Presbytery of South Louisiana, working together with local and national partners, to meet immediate and long terms needs
You can see the devastation caused by the flooding. Reminders of loss—lives turned upside down—are visible, along the road, and in front of the houses in neighborhoods most impacted by the flood waters from the Amite River that crested at 46 and half feet.
“The plea I hear from pastors and folks I talk to is the need for volunteers,” says PDA national response member Al Thompson, “So many homes were devastated. They need people to stand with them right now.”
The presbytery of South Louisiana got over a foot of water in their building. Next door, Faith Presbyterian Church had more than two feet, as did a building on the property used by the Spanish Church of God.
“It’s hard,” says their Pastor Eduaro Medina, repeatedly. “But Faith Presbyterian Church has been helping our Spanish congregation. We’re working together to have it clean. Putting everything outside.”
The Spanish congregation worships at Faith, so they have also been helping to clean out the Presbyterian church sanctuary.
The national response team from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been here for almost a week. Working with local and national partners to help meet the needs of those most impacted by the flood.
“Not only is PDA here in a physical way, but spiritual too,” says Ron Sutto, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of South Louisiana. “They’re bringing in folks who are trained to counsel, to pastor to those in shelters, and beyond, which is extremely important.”
PDA’s Al Thompson says one first thing he heard at church on Sunday, from University Presbyterian Church congregant, where he worshipped was, “I knew PDA would come, we’re so thankful you’re here.”
University is providing shelter for a small of people, including woman who gave birth to children born during the storm, whose homes were devastated.
“We make a difference in people lives,” says Thompson. “Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will be here as long as we need to be here to help.”
Until the work, which could last for several years or the funding has run out.
by Paul Seebeck, Presbyterian News Service
