Katrina Recovery Efforts Continue

Maybe you are curious as to what Virginia Baptists are doing these days in the way of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.  And, maybe you get an occasional question when you are in our churches.  In case either is true, I want to offer you an update on what we are currently doing toward Katrina recovery.

Our operations in Gautier, Gulfport, Jackson County and Pearl River/Picayune areas of MS and in Slidell, LA have ended or are closing in the next month or so.

Currently, we are promoting/supporting a NAMB led national effort in New Orleans proper.  This is Operation NOAH Rebuild.

Our focal operation is in the area of lower Plaquemines Parish, LA—namely in the communities of Port Sulphur and Venice.

Since January 2008, construction efforts have been underway to build new houses in Plaquemines Parish, LA for Katrina victims. Through our partnership with Committee for Plaquemines Recovery (CPR) and because of countless volunteers from our churches and donations from Virginia Baptists, this project has been a great success. The first fruits of the labors are “ripe”, and CPR has already dedicated and helped three families move into their new homes.

The Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans (BAGNO) divided the Katrina effected areas of Greater New Orleans into 25 recovery zones then sought churches/associations/state conventions to adopt each one.  We (VBMB) have adopted Zone 25 which is lower Plaquemines Parish.  We started in Port Sulphur when Pastor Lynn Rodrigue and some of the residents started returning last February/March.  Since that time, we have partnered with Lynn and the remnant of the Port Sulphur Baptist Church that returned to distribute food, water and supplies, to assist families in clearing their property, to offer Crisis Care Chaplaincy/pastoral care in the community, in replacing the church’s parsonage with a modular home and in placing temporary facilities on site for the church’s and community’s use.  At the start of 2007, efforts to rebuild the main Port Sulphur church building went into high gear.  That building is now some 70% completed.

Immediate Plaquemines Parish operations are to finish the P.S. church building, install a playground that will be for the church, school and community and complete construction and giving of about 30 outdoor storage buildings—to provide extra space for families still living in FEMA trailers on their own property.  The playground should go in sometime in the next month.  Also, our volunteers have worked on at least one house construction; and, the next group may work on a second.

Upcoming operations anticipated are: Recover/rebuild at least a portion of the Baptist church in Venice’s building and begin a church plant from a disaster recovery and community activities platform, begin offering volunteers to build houses on former home sites using “Road to Recovery” grant funds once these monies are released to the effected families and, when school is out, attempt to organize regular and ongoing activities for children and youth.  When the Port Sulphur church building is complete and occupied, the modular buildings we provided will likely be converted into a housing center for recovery volunteers.

(Note: The work in Venice will be attempted as an adaptation of the multi site church model.  The Port Sulphur Church will be the “main campus”/hub for recovery efforts.  The recovery efforts and church in Venice will be, at least initially, an extension of the Port Sulphur Church)

We hope to place two to four Venturers in the area to assist Lynn Rodrigue—ideally one or two in Port Sulphur and one or two in Venice.

Though it has been about a year and a half since the storm, the needs are still many.  And, as you can see, our efforts are still extensive.  MORE, MORE and MORE volunteers are needed.  As you may have opportunity to encourage folks toward such service, we will greatly appreciate it.  Those who have interest in taking a team should contact Craig Waddell to schedule a trip.