by Carl Vonnoh III

“August 29th: ‘Katrina’ blows into Louisiana. Here in Denham Springs, just 15 minutes east of Baton Rouge, we experienced 50-70 mph winds and torrents of rain. By late Monday afternoon, the storm had passed. We were spared a direct hit, but all around there is despair, dismay and destruction. News reports do not do justice to what we see.”

Such are the words of Lee Osteen Jr., pastor of Lockhart Road Baptist Church. And such descriptive words are not unfamiliar to Americans who watched in horror the hurricane that left such devastation in its wake.

Over two-thousand people died, and an estimated 81 billion dollars worth of damage was done.

But good has also come out of this tragedy. CLAIM, a resource of Baptist International Missions, Inc., has responded to the challenge. Pastor Osteen writes, “Teams from all across the country have been brought here by BIMI, and their willingness to help in our time of need has been a breath of fresh air. Already, over four hundred souls have been won to Christ!” The need, however, is still great. It is speculated that it will take TEN YEARS to rebuild!

You may be asking, “But what can I do?”

Your church and others can band together and donate financial support to brothers and sisters in Christ. We can act as did the Macedonians. We can first give ourselves willingly to the Lord and then zealously help those in need. If churches would make a commitment to give—perhaps for a year, maybe two—just think of what could be accomplished toward rebuilding!

Individuals can go. Many people, as was said, have already gone. Still, many more are needed. Tradesman, businessmen and all who are willing; everyone is welcome. How much more could be done if but two or three people from each church in America would participate in a CLAIM project? Churches, so quickly destroyed, would quickly be rebuilt. More importantly, souls would be saved. Consider those four hundred spoken of by Pastor Osteen.

And do not forget the words of our Savior.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

This Sunday, as you leave your comfortable homes, as you go to your comfortable churches, be mindful that many are still in need. Be mindful that some of those in need are our Christian brothers and sisters. This Sunday, prayerfully consider what you and your church can do. And then, having considered the need, Do Something!