The Rita Curveball
New Orleans, U.S.A. - September 21, 2005
As we have been touring New Orleans, Slidell, Wavefront and Gulfport, we have had one thing in mind: To bring aid and assistance to others. 
AP Photo. Yikes.The last few days, we have been commissioned to find a place to relocate all of the excess equipment and supplies from the many shelters in Houston (as many of the evacuees are now being relocated from the massive shelters to a more permanent location).
Throughout this effort, our goal and vision has been to set up a command center. Through this, we would work with the church and the local government to coordinate the distribution of supplies and would assist in the overall communication and rebuilding efforts of the disaster area. However, these efforts have been very difficult, as we have gone through hurdle after hurdle of the endless bureaucracy that is so common to this state. Now with Hurricane Rita barreling towards Texas, many Texans themselves may be soon looking for help. As the people of Texas have exemplified through their efforts with Katrina, I believe we will be impressed once again by the resilience and fortitude of the government, businesses, churches and the people of this great state.
Word of the week for us: Patience. In the midst of all the chaos and calamity, we find ourselves waiting. We are standing in the eye of the storm watching all the destruction and desolation occur around us, yet we are calm. That is not easy. Although we are confident that we are being used and helping, we are strangers on this foreign soil with no more than the clothes on our back. Therefore, we are left waiting, until our next opportunity arises.
Seog said...Man Great looking Website ! I looked at your css and learned the css for this cool background image effect. Thanks !
Ricky Irvine said...I wasn't sure if you had found a new web hosting company for your web site. But, I think you should check out Media Temple (www.mediatemple.net). A lot of the "big dogs" who do pure CSS/Web Standards design (like your site) seem to be tied to that host. And they have a very reasonable 2GB plan ($7.95), thats a lot of good space for all your photos and videos. I am thinking seriously about transferring my web site there.
Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain said...It seems as though that photo isn't actually rita. I forwarded a buddy a link to this page and responded that he had seen the photo before and attached this link. http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/storm.asp It's still no less spectacular though. Did you get your hosting figured out? If not... feel free to send me an email. I can probably help you out.
Tomas said...I am blessed to have contact with you guys. The work you have accomplished in the past few weeks despite all the obstacles you encountered, will never go unnoticed. I personally thank you for al your efforts. I know that you have changed peoples lives, forever. God Bless you. There is so much more I can say, but I think a simple THANK YOU will be sufficient at this time.
Mandi said...hey guys--i'm serving overseas right now and a friend gave me a link to your website. anyway, i checked it today for the first time in a while, and seeing that you have decided to go south and help there is such a HUGE encouragement! i'm from Lousiana, and being away these past few weeks has been hard, but knowing that there are people like you guys, who want to serve Him and be a blessing to others is awesome. thanks.
Rob Armstrong said...guys, as one of those whom you worked with while here in LA, I want to say godspeed on your journey, and our thoughts and prayers are with you both. You have been such a blessing to our lives and our home is vacant without the sounds of your laughter and dreams. See you soon! Rob and Jill