In 2005 hurricane Katrina was the largest natural disaster in the history of
the United States. Preliminary damage estimates were well in excess of $100
billion. Areas most effected were Louisiana (especially greater New Orleans),
Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. There were 1,836 people killed
and another 705 were counted as "missing." But far more had their
homes badly damaged or destroyed.
Hurricane Katrina Relief
(A Spontaneous Mission of Caring, Love and Help)
The following notes from Max Litten relate the acts of caring, love, and help
by some members of our congregation after Hurricane Katrina. This is truly a
story of "neighbors helping neighbors", not only in our own community
but around the world. Some missions are planned for months, some just happen,
but in either case we should be proud of those at the Gibsonville United
Methodist Church who answer these calls and give their time, their resources,
and most of all, their love. They did this not because the government directed
them, but because of their Christian love for people they didn't know.
Early morning, August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of
Louisiana and Mississippi. When it made landfall, it was a strong category 4
hurricane with a twenty foot storm surge, the sixth strongest hurricane ever
recorded. Over 1,800 people lost their lives.
Mike Duquette felt a strong desire to help. With his wife's blessings he
left his family, wife and three small girls, two days after the hurricane hit
and went to Mississippi. He took a large generator on a trailer and ended up
ten miles south of Poplarville, Mississippi, at Sleepy Hollow Baptist Church.
He set up the gas operated generator at the church that became a major
distribution center for the rural community. Government helicopters, Salvation
Army, and individuals from all over were making deliveries there.
Two days later, Mike called our minister, David Greene, and advised of
certain needs of food and building supplies. That same day David, Max Litten
and others loaded a Boone Furniture van with needed supplies and headed to
Mississippi. Later donations from our church paid for the supplies.
After the twelve to fourteen hour drive to Mississippi, Joel Isley and
David Greene started back home. This was still the same day that Mike had
called. Max stayed in Mississippi to help Mike, about five more days.
After coming back from the first trip, Max organized two more trips, to the
same area, of one week each. There were six to eight in each group, mostly the
same people. Most of the money spent was from their pockets. Some donations
from the church were available. Max also went back again to do some
organizational things with the First Baptist Church of Gibsonville.
This past January (2009), six or seven of us went to the Lower Ninth Ward
in New Orleans, where water damage was rampant. Through church donations, we
supplied materials to construct a nice front porch and two sets of steps on a
ladies complex. Again, most of the funds, other than for building materials
came out of the pockets of those doing the work.
This account addresses the Katrina disaster but we never know when or where
we will be needed next, and there is no doubt the Gibsonville United Methodist
Church members will answer the call.
