Day 32 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

I'm sorry for the lack of updates the past couple of days ... just VERY busy! We've been a little sidetracked the past slightly over a week or so ... on the surface, those who are not involved might think our cutting, raking and lugging to be mere cosmetic work and therefore an incredible waste of time and skilled manpower when we have so much roof and building work to be done! But ... yesterday it all payed off!

Praise the Lord, the Louisiana State Health Inspector came and, along with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, gave us a thorough going over (they had sampled our water supply last week) and gave us that ALL IMPORTANT green sign to place in the window which means that we can open as planned on Monday, October 3, 2005! PRAISE THE LORD!!!! This was a HUGE expenditure of effort but when discussed with the teams with us at that time, everyone felt that the priority had to go toward providing a facility that was safe for the children to play on and that the State Inspectors would sign off on! We passed with NO discrepancies! So the current status is that we will have ALL of our teachers back. We will have MOST of our students (Day Care and School) back ... plus ... we will have a number of displaced students from other schools added to our student body. So ... as of next Monday we should again have the GREAT priviledge of bringing the Gospel to 70-80 children from primarilly unchurched families each day. This in turn will also free parents up to work on their homes and go to work! Please pray for us as we begin this very important aspect of "normalization" here in Slidell.

In addition to getting the facility ready, a new group of volunteers has begun putting things back together! Praise the Lord! While some are cleaning again and then installing insullaton, others are trucking Sheet Rock in from Mississippi and other places where they can obtain it! We're also having a few volunteers coming back for their second "tour of duty" ... how grateful we are for the INCREDIBLE love of Christ and His people!

A few supply needs that have come up ... we don't need a lot ... but some of each! Maybe if those who come to work would just bring a few of them it would more than meet our needs ...
* Hoses ... Garden Hoses and White Potable Water Hoses (used on travel trailers and motor homes).
* Laundry Detergent (small / medium size boxes).
* Socks.
* Brooms.
* Dust Pans.
* Wipes (Cleaning / Disinfecting - NOT Baby Wipes).
* Wash Clothes.
* Dust Masks.

On the "business" end of things, many of you have sent food, supplies, money and personally come here to help. We will probably NEVER get a chance to write thank you notes to each of your for your kind and sacrificial thoughtfulness. Under the conditions we have been operating
in / living in, in most cases, we have not even been able to keep up with who gave or what they gave ... let alone send thank you notes! So ... please ... understand and KNOW that we are incredibly grateful to each of you and also to the MANY who are unseen and behind the scenes even though you don't receive a note to that fact!

JoAnne and I send the very best of our love to each of you,
Bob & JoAnne Brown
Slidell, Louisiana

Hurricane Rita Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Just a quick update and a chance to "touch base" after Rita!

Rita came in on Saturday morning around 2-3 A.M. very near and alittle East of the Texas / Louisiana State Lines. The winds had come down to around 120-125 mph and the pressure had gone up considerably ...I think this was a specific answer to prayer! We had prayed specifically on Wednesday night for this to happen and had continued praying for this through the rest of the week .... Praise the Lord for His goodness!

I talked to Ray Cummings from Lake Park Chapel in Belle Chasse, LA. and to Bill (William O.) Walker of Southside Bible Chapel in Lafayette, LA. (the closest meeting to the landfall) and both meetings did fine with NO damage ... just a lot of trash blown around. The storm DID cause a lot of damage of course in that area of Southwest Louisiana but the news reported today that (as of that report) NO lives had been lost! Praise the Lord again! The rising waters also caused 3 Levees to be breached again in New Orleans and in Southwest Louisiana and we had some additional flooding here in Slidell ... just TOO MUCH water and too little drainage capability. However, most of what was flooded had been flooded before and so there was minimal damage other than the devastation from the first flooding from Katrina!

In this last storm (Rita) as in the previous one (Katrina), we are brought again to recognize and appreciate the incredible power of prayer and of His goodness in the lives of the just and the unjust alike!

We "declared today an OFF DAY" so JoAnne and I and one of the visiting workers made a trip over to Gulfport, Mississippi to visit our daughter Nita and two of her boys. The high winds from Rita had blown the tarps off her roof and it had again rained in ... so I worked with her boys and their friend to get the tarps put back in place and do a little additional tarping. Trying to hold those big tarps down in the strong winds while we tried to nail them gave a real appreciation of the strength of the forces of nature and the frailty of us humans. It's really AMAZING that anything stands in such storms!

We then came back to Slidell and spent some time with our latest crew of helpers down from Wisconsin and Iowa ... Praise the Lord for the family of God! We COULD NOT do these repairs without the help of you all.. you bring encouragement, strength, ability, knowledge ... and a myriad of other things to the table that we don't have! Thank you again SO much... for you!

Well, it was GOOD "seeing" you all at the throne of grace today (well ... at least we pictured it that way with our "faith eyes") ...what a time it was ... huh! When I think of all the (unsaved) years I spent in "the big church" just doing the ritual ... stand up ... sit down... kneel ... stand up again ... read this ... sing that ... it was all very religious ... just it just lacked the "reality" the Lord intended it to have! How precious to just sit and enjoy HIM! We had some visitor /workers here with us again who could actually sing! Some of the Saints from Sala Evangelica were with us too and they seemed to sing well too (maybe it's just me who can't sing!)! We thought "WE" sounded very good!! What a great time it was ... how glad we are that you all could share it with us!

Ever since this has happened, I keep thinking of an old story that I was either told or read somewhere when I was first saved and brought into fellowship in the assembly ... it goes something like this (please forgive me if you've heard it a million times and I'm boring you to tears with it): It seems a man moved to a new town and was trying to decide where to go to church. He decided that a good way to decide the best church was to go to the town square and ask folks as they passed by. Well there was a terrible storm that night, but the next morning the man got up and headed down to the square to see who was going where! So he did, and shortly a well dressed lady came by in a hurry. He asked herwhere she was going in such a hurry and she told him about her church ...it seems her church had a WONDERFUL pipe organ and choir and when they sang and played it was almost like hearing the angels of heaven ... it was SO wonderful ... she didn't want to miss a second of it so off she hastened. Next a man came along and the man stopped him and asked his destination and the man responded that he was going to his church which had a FANTASTIC stained glass window behind the pulpit .. the sun came up and shown through the stained glass and it was like the light of the Lord shining down on you as you sat there and gazed at the window ... and off he ran! Next a young couple came by and told him that they were heading to the Reverend Doctor so and so's church who was renown as one of the finest orators and scholors in the land and they would just "hang on every word" every time he spoke ... they didn't want to miss his introduction so they rushed along. Finally, a little man with a big thick Bible came along and he said that he was on his way to a little storefront where a few Christians were going to gather to remember the Lord Jesus who died for them ... it wouldn't be fancy ... just a loaf and a cup ... but he couldn't wait to be there with the Lord ... and off he went! Well time passed and pretty soon the people started drifting back... VERY down and discouraged ... every one! It seems that the storm had caused a lot of changes. The power was out so the pipe organ didn't workand the choir just didn't sound the same without those great pipes sounding out their melodious tunes! And the stained glass window had a tree branch through it and it was SUCH a discouragement every time you looked up and saw it that you couldn't even concentrate on the message at all! And the "Reverend Doctor" had been out all night in the storm and had gotten a sore throat ... he could hardly speak and the message somehow just didn't seem to have the same "punch" to it! All were VERY discouraged by their experience that morning!!! Pretty soon the little man with the big Bible came along. The man asked him how it had gone with his group after the devistation of the storm the night before? Oh... the man said ... it was WONDERFUL ... maybe the best ever! The power was out, you know, so the hall was dark. One of the men lit a candle and placed it up by the bread and the cup. We couldn't read our hymnals, the man said, so we just sang hymns we knew by heart! We quoted scripture from memory and just told the Lord in a simple way how much he meant to us! Then we broke the bread and took the cup ... on of the men closed in prayer ... and it was over for another week! It was SO good, I almost wish we had a storm like that every week ... and off he went! Well ...which "church" do you suppose the man went to the next week? I know where I'd have been ... right where I was today!!!

Well ... the surroundings may change ... the comforts may vary... but in the end ... the remembrance of Him stays the same and has ever since that first night in the upper room!

Our very special love to you all,
Bob & JoAnne Brown - Slidell, Louisiana

Day 26 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Just a quick note from the "sunny south" ... NOT!!!

Pretty much everyone made all the plans they were going to make by Last night (Thursday night) ... the PA crew headed for home ... the three crews in here headed for the camp a little early ... and the locals glued themselves to the "United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans" ...the temporary shared radio facilities operating out of Baton Rouge since all the transmitters in New Orleans were shut down. Today dawned gloomy, gusty and rainy ... so the workers began a little late and we quit a little early so the workers could get back up to camp before the winds and rain increased too much tonight! Tonight Rita will come ashore somewhere around the TX / LA border ... around 2:00 A.M. ... it will be along night for many! We're praying that the Lord will do a miracle and see fit to reduce the storm to a MUCH lower level. He has already reduced it from 185 mph to 120 mph ... SO PRAY ON!!!

The storm surge here in Southeast Louisiana has already breached 3 levees in New Orleans AGAIN ... flooding the 9th Ward in two places. Also a levee in Southwest Louisiana has already been breached causing flooding in that parish. Slidell has been under a mandatory evacuation from LA Highways 190 and 22 South since 8:00 A.M. this morning. The concern here in Slidell is flooding due to the debris choked drainage ditches and canals which may cause re-flooding of the lower areas of town. My house is 1 block from Highway 190 (Fremeaux Ave.). Tomorrow we'll see Rita heading inland and so we'll begin work a little later than usual (around 10 A.M. or so) with more of the same cleanup at the chapel. We're making GREAT progress in this cleanup of the chapel grounds and facility. The Health Inspector came by yesterday and sampled the water (we have a well) and today they notified us that they had found it to be ok for consumption. She will be back to inspect the facility damage to make sure we are safe to open the Day Care and School on October 3.

How quickly the weeks seem to go by. You barely have time to start a job and the day is gone ... and then the week is gone as well! The good side of that is that you barely finish with the Prayer Meeting and it's time for Worship!!! And so ... only one more day till we can gather together WITH YOU around our wonderful Savior! How encouraging it is to join with you! We look forward to "seeing" you! The body of Christ will once again demonstrate to the angelic host the variegated wisdom of our wonderful God! And they will once again look on with wonder as we enjoy "snuggling up" to our Heavenly Father and trying with stammering lips to tell him of our love for His WONDER-full Son!

Thank you for your continued prayer!
Our love in Christ,
Bob & JoAnne Brown
Slidell, LA.

Our life is hid...

Just a reminder from the saints in Louisiana about the things that really matter...

Day 25 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Well, the PA crew finished the roof on the Chapel Building and they headed North! We thank the Lord for their incredible effort ... 60 squares of roofing in 3 days! So the chapel is weathered in again and we are very thankful! We've also had several other groups in that have been working on "catch up" items ... trees and brush, spraying / disinfecting and getting the camp hooked back up again now that power has been run to it. Some of the ladies from our chapel have been sorting and organizing the MANY supplies that have been sent to us and people are beginning to make trips to the camp to "shop" for their needs ... it's working pretty well and the folks are really thankful as their needs are met by so many unknown friends around the country! Thank you all SO much!

This week we're also working HARD to get the chapel property cleaned up ... trees trimmed, branches and pine straw and junk picked up and hauled up and put on "the pile" ... trying to get everything prepared to open the school & day care on October 3. In the meantime the homes are still drying out and being checked for mold. Hopefully, we'll have a brother in who will perform home inspections on each dwelling before we close them up. We also may begin another tear out on a home belonging to a friend of one of our believers.

Please pray about our newest storm ... Hurricane Rita! So far it appears to be going past us and moving toward our Brothers and Sisters in the Houston area (Eastern Texas / Western Louisiana) ... we'll know more tomorrow! As of tomorrow morning at 8:00 A.M. the Parish President has ordered a Mandatory Evacuation for everything south of Highway 190 ...one block from our home! This is mainly due to the lack of communications, clogged drainage systems and already severely damaged infrastructure! Most of the military and aid workers have already been moved inland and positioned to move to help Texas if needed. We surely don't want Rita here ... but on the other hand, we'd surely hate for it to go in anywhere else either!!! It's projected to reduce in strength before landfall (to a category 3) so we will all pray toward that end and that it comes into a less inhabited area!

We really don't need any more provisions (for now at least). We thank you ... each one ... for all that you have sent already.

We have a good flow of men to work right now so the man power seems to be moving us ahead very well. Each day the jobs / needs change but the Lord is SO good in providing just the workers we need when we need them!

It's been interesting to watch as all of this has unfolded to see"the variegated body of Christ" working together to rebuild. Many different people doing many different things all working together for a common goal ... Praise the Lord! And then we trust that the Lord will use many of these things to reach souls for Christ! Thank you again ...one and all!!

Please continue to pray for us as well as others all across the Gulf Coast as Rita comes ashore! Pray also for the workers that are in from North Dakota, Florida and Georgia ... these things are always unsettling!

Enough for now!
Our very special love to each of you,
Bob & JoAnne Brown
Slidell, Louisiana

Sept 22 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Well, I'll make this very short and sweet. We had a wonderful prayer meeting tonight ... kind of a "come as you are" ... which meant that most of us were dirty and stunk!!! The other day I got into my truck and thought "What IS that smell? My truck STINKS ... It smells like something died in here!" Then I realized ... IT WAS ME!!! UGH! Anyway, back to the prayer meeting ... In spite of our look ... and smell... and tiredness ... The Lord was in our midst and we had a great time with him! One of the primary focuses was our thanksgiving ... for how He is using the situation to reach souls ... for what he is doing in our lives ... and FOR YOU! We ALL are eternally grateful for your involvement in this situation and for your love and care expressed toward us! What a blessing each of you is! It's interesting how such a catastrophe has become a catalyst to bring us all closer together ... a meeting in Spain that is praying for us ... a widow in Africa who wants to help us financially ... a group of children who sell lemon aid to help our school reopen ... and reports too numerous to list of Believers and Meetings whose prayer life and passion for souls has been strengthened and built up! Praise the Lord for all that He is doing in each one of us and our meetings ... and using Katrina (who was NO lady) to do it!!

We had a great week so far! The team from PA. is in putting a new roof on the Chapel building! Praise the Lord!!! It's looking great. We just had three other teams arrive (from ND, FL and GA.) and plan to get back to tree clearing which we had kind of put on hold while we stripped houses. We've got a LOT of chain saw work and dragging to do! Then we've got some roof repair, sheet rock work, and window replacement that needs to get caught up on.

You might also pray for us with this new storm - Rita - in theGulf. They are already evacuating Galveston for quite a way East of there ... some of New Orleans is already under a mandatory evacuation! So far it doesn't look like it is going to turn and head this way! But we can't even afford to have it rain ... so ... PRAY!!! Enough for now,

Our love in Christ,
Robert R. & JoAnne Brown

Sunday Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Just a quick note at the end of a VERY GOOD Lord's Day! We remembered the Lord this morning with volunteer workers from Springfield,MO., Raleigh, NC., Plumsteadville, PA., Montgomery, AL., Birmingham, AL., and Huntsville, AL. as well as Ricardo & Sandra Kawas from Sala Evangelica. We had a great time thinking and speaking of the wonders of our wonderful Savior! After our time with the Lord, we went back to work! The men accomplished a LOT today ... we continued stripping out houses ... nearly finishing up a couple more.

The team from PA arrived after a 24 hour straight through drive. They set up today and will begin probably tomorrow to put a new roof on the Chapel. Please pray that this will go smoothly and safely. They also brought down a couple of trailers that they will leave with us to provide some temporary housing.

The "Hid in Christ" sign I told you about came out in this month's "WORLD MAGAZINE". The web site listed here will give the article w/o the picture. The actual magazine has the picture that I went out toyou: http://www.worldmag.com/displayarticle.cfm?id=11072 scroll down to"pile of stuff" and you will see the article. There is a picture also in the magazine itself. I highly recommend this magazine!!! We have been getting it at our school for several years now and really like it!

I talked to Ray Cummings from Lake Park Chapel in Belle Chasse,LA. today and he reports that all their people are in their homes except for 2 families ... one flooded out ... one with roof damage. Power and all services are on and they seem to be well on their way to some level of "normality". They could use help with cleaning up limbs and fallen trees ... chain saw crews and picking up and raking. If you'd like to help with these projects, access to the parish is limited but possible. Contact Ray Cummings at (504) 393-7083. Please continue to pray for these Brethren as they try to get resettled in their homes!

I also talked to both Ray Cummings and Ricardo Kawas (elder at Sala Evangelica) and he reports that all of their people are doing well. Two have damaged homes but are waiting to do anything about the damage until they are contacted by their Insurance Adjusters. Please continue to pray for these Brethren as they try to get back to some sort of"normal" living!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin another week. We still have a LOT to do just to dry the houses out and get the trees cleared. Projects this week will be continued stripping of homes and we'll also go back to some chain saw work placed on hold when overtaken by the priority of stripping!

Our very special love to you all,
Bob & JoAnne Brown - Slidell, Louisiana

Saturday Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you SO much for your prayers! We got off to a slow start today and I'll have to say I was disgusted and discouraged ... but ...once we got going we had a really great day! We cut trees off of 2 roofs and that went well. We got a water well working at another family's home out in the country, got it hooked up to the generator and now they have running water (when the generator is running). We helped another man empty what was left from his totaled mobile home ... it all fit in the trunk of a small car! While doing this we had a chance to witness to two men who were also trying to get some things from their own trailers. Over the past week, we had helped clear out an unsaved neighbors home and that led to the opportunity to clean out his brother / sister-in-law's home today. The men won the right to be heard and not only shared the love of Christ with them but also had a chance to pray with them! We didn't finish the house but the men were able to accomplish a LOT ...we'll try to finish up tomorrow or early in the week! Tonight we had them and another set of unsaved neighbors over for supper ... a kind of group meal provided by some of the workers wives and sent down with them... the one couple said that they really didn't come to eat ... they just wanted to see these men who would come all this way to do this work for free for people they didn't know! Why would they do such a thing ... to understand that, you'd have to know our God and what HE did for us!

Everyone worked VERY hard ... we got a LOT done ... I think all the men were absolutely whipped ... well, at least I was! Two men from Long Island brought supplies down. Our crew this week was from Chicago, IL., Springfield, MO., and Raleigh, NC. ... a new team arrived today for 2 days from Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville, AL. Next week men will arrive from PA., GA., and FL. We are SO thankful for all of you ...and for these who come and have come to help. We couldn't do this without you. Also ... those of you who maybe can't come for one reason or another but "stand by the stuff" and pray or work or give ... all have had a part in what the Lord is doing here and in the area! Thank you SO much!

We still have more cleaning out to do ... more spraying ... more airing out and drying out ... some more tree cutting and trimming and brush picking up.

A team from PA will be in tomorrow (hopefully for Worship) who will be re-roofing the chapel building and some other roof work. They're also bringing us a couple of travel trailers which will be left when they leave for us to use for temporary living accommodations!

One bit of "housekeeping" ... if you come and use the camp ...PLEASE pick up, clean up, put away, carry off, etc. There is NO trash pickup and NO cleaning person ... what you don't pick up just leaves a mess for the next person!

Well ... tomorrow is the Lord's Day ... we're excited ... the living room is set up and we'll gather at 9:30 A.M. with whoever can get here and the workers that are in town ... Ricardo & Sandra Kawas from Sala Evangelica will join us because he can't get to Lake Park Chapel to meet with their group! Once again we'll set out the pictures ... the Bread of Life ... The New Testament in His Blood ... what a great time we'll have ... WITH YOU!! We'll meet together with you and the Angels will look on in wonder as the Lord joins us and we tell our wonderful Heavenly Father how much we love His Son! Remembering ... !!!

Time to go! Thank you ... one and all ... each and every one of you for your incredible kindnesses to the VERY least of the Lord's people... and to two of the VERY least of the Lord's servants!See you at the throne in the morning!

Our very special love to each of you,
Bob & JoAnne Brown -
Slidell, LA.

Day 19 Update

Dear Praying friends,

Just a quick update. Please forgive me if I repeat myself ... it's hard to keep track of what I've already told you and what is new.

The Saints at Lake Park Chapel have gotten back home (FINALLY!!! WHEW!!!) and we are SO thankful that they are all safe and well. Ray Cummings has communicated that all the homes are in pretty good shape with utilities functioning. Only one home was flooded and a second had it's roof collapse so Praise the Lord for his watchfulness over these dear Saints and their homes. Their primary problems are down trees which have punctured some roofs and torn the power line from the Cummings home. Ray and a helper were out the other day trying to repair these and get them watertight.

The Spanish meeting is probably in the biggest immediate need as most of them were renting. Consequently, they will need immediate help with clothing, furniture, supplies, food and deposits to get them resettled in new apartments (IF they can find them - they are in VERY high demand)! Ray made a trip up to the camp today to bring a trailer load of supplies and food back for them. Our ladies had just been up there categorizing items to make them easier to find so the Lord had His way in the timing of the "shopping trip"! So to those who have given staples and supplies we are all eternally grateful. Also, we know that the fund at CMML will be of huge help to the Spanish Saints as they begin trying to get resettled.

At Slidell Bible Chapel we continue to work on "gutting" the homes of our Saints ... and some unsaved friends and neighbors as outreach efforts ... tonight a number of them came to a communal supper that some of the aid workers had provided ... a pleasant diversion from MRE's, Ice and Bottled Water! A huge thank you to the wives and ladies behind these men who prepared WAY more than just the workers could eat ... and the overflow was a huge benefit to us ... and a great outreach to these neighbors. We are a small fellowship of about 20 families (53 people) and thus far we have had 3 houses spared any damage except trees down and loss of power etc. In addition, we have had 3 houses totally lost, we have totally stripped 2 other houses from floor to ceiling ... nothing left inside but studs and concrete floors. Then we have partially stripped (from the floor to above the high water mark) 3 houses (including mine) at varying heights up to 4 feet. Virtually all the possessions and furniture has to go in these homes too. The chapel had to be stripped out up to 4 feet along with the carpet. Additionally, one room in the Day Care and one room in the School had to be stripped. Tomorrow, we'll continue to work on these "strip outs" of our own homes as well as an unsaved couple we are working to reach. I and another man will go to another families home to see if we can fix the water well pump and 3 other homes to see about cutting trees off roofs. We think we will have a tree man coming back this weekend with his crane to help remove some HEAVY tree trunks that are cutting neighbors homes in half. Today we got power on to the chapel facility and got the 7 air conditioners operating and the water well pump going ... so we're pretty well up and operating. We still have to get the State to sample the well to make sure it is still ok to drink but I think they will get that done in the next couple of days. We were praying that we could get the electric on before a team comes in Sunday A.M. to bring some temporary housing and to put a new roof on the Chapel. ISN'T GOD GOOD!!! We haven't yet even begun getting to construction ... but we hope that will happen fairly soon!

PLEASE pray for us as we are trying to get the school and day care up by 3-October. Here are the needs -
* We need ALL of our teachers back.
* We need enough students coming back to bring in enough tuition to pay our teachers. MANY people have lost their homes and their jobs and so are just deciding to "chuck it all" and set up new lives somewhere else!.
* IF we don't get enough students we will need the teachers to be willing to work for what income comes in.

Current needs continue to be for manpower and funds.

People who want to COME AND HELP:
My contact information: Cell (all day - IF it is working): (985) 502-8760 ... we have one hard line available the Fisher home (985) 641-9324 (call between about 7-10 P.M. our time - REMEMBER - this is the ONLY hard line we have so PLEASE keep the calls to a minimum ... make them brief and to the point ... don't duplicate calls!)

If you're coming to help ... for the most part we need ADULT MALE WORKERS ONLY PLEASE ... The area and the Work are DANGEROUS and the environment is not good for a young person! It's also too hard to supervise young people and it causes us to have to supervise them, assign them work, supervise them, provide tools and materials for them ... i.e. it's work for us to work them! There also are NO facilities for ladies ... the men are bunking at the camp and it is just not a good place for ladies right now..

On a whole, groups of 2-4 are easier to handle than large groups.

Figure on Being self sufficient when you come.

If people want to DONATE, here are some options:

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE / GIFTS to JoAnne and me can go to: Bob & JoAnne Brown - c/o Mr. Jonathan Lee - 1290 Park Boulevard - Apt. 118 - Baton Rouge, LA. 70806. He'll get them to us. You can also use Christian Workers Fellowship. My cell # is (985) 502-8760 ,,, though it doesn't always work these days ... TRY NOT to use it very much which will allow me to focus my time on other matters and trying to keep to other, more pressing matters. I TRY to check my e-mail each day (JesusIsTheWay@Juno.com) ... when I can get on. The camp phone ... (601) 958-8447 ... will be a help WHEN it gets back in service. The camp currently has NO PHONE SERVICE ... and NO CELL SERVICE.

GIFTS TO SLIDELL BIBLE CHAPEL / IT'S PEOPLE ... can be sent to the same addresses.

In EACH of these cases PLEASE BE CLEAR AS TO WHETHER THE GIFT IS FOR US (JoAnne and Me) PERSONALLY OR FOR THE CHAPEL & OTHER PEOPLE.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE / GIFTS to Ray and Peetsie Cummings may be sent to: Ray & Peetsie Cummings - c/o Mr. William O. Walker - 103 Robert Drive - Lafayette, LA. 70506 - Phone: (337) 232-6577.

GIFTS TO LAKE PARK CHAPEL / IT'S PEOPLE ... OR ... SALA EVANGELICA / IT'S PEOPLE ... can be sent to the same address.

In EACH of these cases PLEASE BE CLEAR AS TO WHETHER THE GIFT IS FOR THEM (Ray & Peetsie) PERSONALLY OR FOR THE CHAPEL & OTHER PEOPLE.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF IN THE WHOLE AREA ... correspondence / gifts can go to:

CMML ... indicating for the Hurricane Katrina Fund.

Bill Walker at Southside Bible Chapel in Lafayete, LA. has also set up a "Spanish Assembly Relief Fund" to handle gifts for the Spanish Assembly - they may be sent to him at: William O. Walker - Spanish Assembly Relief Fund - 103 Robert Drive - Lafayette, LA. 70506 - Phone: (337) 232-6577.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE ON GETTING INFO ... OR GETTING SUPPLIES TO US ... here are a couple of good contacts:

Scott Leach - 825 Upper Kingston Road - Prattville, AL. 36067 - Phone: (334) 365-3374 ... He can help with up to date information.
James Bonner - 2081 Bonner Town Road - Needham, Al. 36915 - Phone: (251) 843-5734 ... He'll coordinate material getting to us and to the camp.

Here are a couple of worthwhile web sites to help keep you up to date:
* Shawn Abigail has set up the following Blog (He has tried to tell me what a blog is but I still am too technology challenged to get it!) http://brethrenhelping.blogspot.com/. This site posts all of my e-mails so you can kind of keep up with what has happened thus far.
* Scott Leach has set up the following little website to publish information on Katrina's impact on the Assemblies here: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-deepsouthassemblies.
* In addition, you might keep your eye on http://www.wwltv.com/ the voice of WWL AM-870 Radio - the clear channel "voice of New Orleans - often can be heard on am all over the country at night!
* Also, http://www.nola.com/ the web site for "The Times Picayune" which is New Orleans' primary news paper.

Well, that's about all the UPDATING I can give you for now.
We continue to see the Lord's WONDER-full hand in every corner of this trial and are thankful that He has allowed us to serve Him in this way at this point of time! We are also thankful that we have Brothers and Sisters like you praying for us!

Our very special love in Christ,
Bob & JoAnne Brown
Slidell, Louisiana

Day 18 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Just a quick update to let you all know we're still here! Pleaseforgive the past couple of days w/o updates ... just "dog tired" andpressed beyond what my little pink body was willing to put up with!

We are INCREDIBLY blessed by the love and care of the Saints. Ifyou ever get to thinking you want to "chuck it in" and leave the assembly because of all of it's "warts and pimples" just give me a call! All the flaws no doubt are true ... BUT ... when the chips are down and you need a church family you can count on ... well, don't give up too soon!

I had a friend who polished gemstones and he put the rough stones into a tumbler with a rough grinding stone at the bottom ... the rocks tumbled around in there and abraded against one another and the grinding stone. Sometimes one or two would fly out of the opening onto the floor. In the end, the stones that stayed in the tumbler were made into beautiful gems... those that popped out were still the ugly rocks they were to begin with! I'm sure the rocks (if they could talk) didn't like what they were being put through ... but in the end it was all worth it!

Well ... from one living stone to another ... the Lord's not finished with us yet ...we're each a work in progress ... I hope none of you ever has to go through such an ordeal as this, but I KNOW that in the end ... this too will "work together for good to those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose!" And one day, we'll be "like Him!" Wednesday evening we met for prayer in the Fisher's home where we have been staying and the home we have been using as a kind of "command post" since it has had nearly all utilities. What a GREAT prayer meeting. We had 9 men in from Chicago to help us plus our own folks who could come ... everyone dirty, sweaty and dog tired. We went around the room and introduced ourselves and took prayer requests! The OVERWHELMING focus of nearly everyone's prayers was thanksgiving for being allowed to suffer such things for Christ sake and the sake of displaying the Love of Christ to a lost world around us! We talked about the difference between hearing a voice on the phone and finally getting to see a face ... and what it willbe like to one day see the Lord's Face ... face to face after all these years! We also gave thanks and prayed FOR YOU who are giving, sending, working, praying ... for us! We could not go through this without the Lord and without the love and prayers of His people! Thank you SO much!

They gave us the Statistics the other day ... Katrina was the worst storm ever to enter the Gulf of Mexico ... the worst disaster everto hit the United States ... and the eye went right over Slidell! We had sustained winds of 176 mph with gusts over 196 and a tidal surge of 26 feet ... that's higher than a telephone pole! Devastation has been extreme ... beyond description! We are still in the mode of tearing out soggy houses. Most ofthe locals are "fried" ... they would tell you they are "OK" but they just kind of plod along putting one foot ahead of the other trying to cope! Thankfully, we had 16 helpers with us from Chicago, IL.,Springfield, MO., and Raleigh, NC. this week! They are hauling out the furniture and carpet and anything else that could hold water or mold, cutting the sheet rock above the high water line and pulling it out, removing the insulation, hauling everything outside and putting it on the curb. In MANY cases making decisions for the homeowners that they themselves are too immobilized to make! Then drying it all out, disinfecting it, freshening it up and waiting to rebuild.

So far we have totally lost 2 mobile homes and one house (in St. Bernard Parish - STILL under 12 feet of water) totally gutted 2 more homes (down to concrete and studs), partially gutted 3 more homes (including ours and the Chapel building and one classroom in the school). This is just HARD, DIRTY,GERM INFESTED work. Today the men were surprised by several "critters"including a snake in the wall as they pulled the insulation out. The men also cut trees, cleaned up and burned tons of rubble and tree parts and did some repair on some of the structures. We also completely stripped a neighbors home and have our eyes on another. Other helpers have cut down trees and gotten them off of homes.

Tomorrow we'll have supper together and are inviting some of the neighbors ... we'll eat, enjoy each other, thank the Lord for those who have come to help them and us come back from destruction ... and then talk about Jesus who died to bring us each back from destruction IF we will just REPENT of our sin, BELIEVE God's wonderful plan of Salvation, and RECEIVE his wonderful Son as the payment for our sin! Maybe one, like Pilgrim, will choose to flee the "city of destruction" and find refuge through the little gate in the Cross of Christ.

Current needs ... manpower (slave labor) ... and money (for future rebuilding). We have plenty of food, supplies, equipment ... and other STUFF ... for now. Maybe we'll need more later, but for now we're good.

If you want to come and help ... call / e-mail FIRST ... we recommend NO young people (this is a VERY dangerous place) ... only adults or young people with their parents ... come self contained able to support yourselves ... come able to work unsupervised and having your own tools, transportation and talent ... have your shots up to date (MIN tetanus/typhoid) and Hepatitis A, B, and C are recommended ... seek your own doctor's advice. Generally, the workers stay at camp (about 45 minutes away) and meet in Slidell each morning at 8 A.M. for coffee and go to work by 8:30 A.M. They work steady till about 7:00 P.M. MRE's, Ice and Water are available for lunch. Then back to camp before curfew for the night ... and begin again the next day. And so it goes!

Thank you ... each of you ... for YOU!

From the eye of the storm,
Our very special love in Christ,
Bob & JoAnne Brown
Slidell, Louisiana

Sept 15th Update

Dear Ones in Christ,

It would seem that a sort of "routine" has been established, where the weary laborers go about their daily responsibilities of clean-up and repair. Thanks so much to those of you who have come, or plan to come to Slidell to help! It is a tremendous encouragement to the believers there. The job before them is monumental - but as Bob told me, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!" I hope to be in Slidell again this weekend, and will send an update about progress and plans when I return.

The news from Lake Park Chapel in Belle Chasse is relatively good - all the believers (excepting one family whose home flooded) are back in their homes. Most have power. I do not know the status of the drinking water. Earlier reports where sketchy about the quality of it. Ray Cummings and crew are working to make needed repairs to the chapel, the bookstore, and
the believers' homes. There will be more on this as information is available, but it would seem the damages suffered are not as severe as at Slidell.

Ray is to bring some of the Spanish believers up to the camp this week to replenish their pantries from the supplies many have sent. The lodge at camp is literally full with the many things provided by believers. Another aspect of our visit this weekend is to try and help improve the distribution of these items. It is a blessing to the believers whose homes will not be ready for occupation for several more weeks that there are supplies to help them when their "pantries" are rebuilt. At this time, it would appear that no more general supplies are needed, although if a specific need arises, we can make that known.

Many have sent financial gifts to aid these assemblies, and they are greatly appreciated. CMML continues to be very involved with both receiving and distributing these funds.

Some specific prayer requests (this is by NO MEANS a complete list, just those with which I am familiar!):

1. Bob & JoAnne Brown, Ray & Peetsie Cummings: both couples have worked tirelessly to care for the needs of the saints. Please continue to pray for strength, patience, wisdom.

2. Bertley & Adilie Englade: Bertley is an elder at Slidell. He and Adilie are temporarily in Marietta, GA with their son for health and safety reasons. Please keep them before the Lord as they are getting helpful medical treatment.

3. Those with flood damaged homes: The unique problems associated with the amount of flood damage is more than most realize. Most everything you own touches the floor! Most of the believers affected are displaced, some are having to now go back to work, and try to work on their home situations after hours and on weekends. This is one way where those visiting from other assemblies have been such a great help.

4. New housing: A number of the Spanish believers were living in rented facilities. For them to remain in the area, they will need to find available (and affordable) housing, as well as the continued existence of their jobs. Housing is a premium now, of course, with the housing market
in Baton Rouge (1 -1/2 hours away) going through the roof.

Thank you for all your prayers, interest and encouragement. Please don't
stop!

In HIM,
Scott Leach

Day 15 Update

Dear Ones in Christ,

Slidell: TV can hardly do justice to the conditions in southern Louisiana. This past weekend marked my first personal view of post-Katrina Slidell, and in spite of two weeks of cleanup since her arrival, devastation is everywhere. Every street we visited, every neighborhood, every house has a mountain of debris on the curb. Everything from cut up trees to flood damaged furniture, clothes, and household belongings. The smell that can only be described as a combination of swamp, sludge, sulfur and sewage has abated, but still lingers. The Christians, battle weary but persevering, are upheld by your prayers. They are reminiscent of Gideon and his men, "faint, yet pursuing" (Judges 8:4).

The Lord's Supper for the Slidell Bible Chapel believers was held in Wayne & Kim Fisher's home, one of the minority of homes that was not flooded. The fellowship was sweet, heartfelt, emotional. The Lord Jesus was uplifted, and believers were encouraged.

Belle Chasse: Belle Chasse is the home of Lake Park Chapel, the original meeting in the New Orleans area. Because it is south of New Orleans out on the "west bank", and in Plaquemines Parish, residents were not allowed to return until yesterday. Ray Cummings arrived home from Lafayette, LA today, and found conditions to be worse than he had come to believe. Last week some 24 saints from Lake Park and Sala Evangelica were being housed at Southside Bible Chapel in Lafayette, but now they have disbursed. Many thanks go to the gracious hospitality of the believers at Southside.

The Chapel and related buildings have all suffered some damage, but no flooding. It would appear that only one family from Lake Park suffered flooding in the home, and they will be able to stay at the guest house until future plans can be made. The southern part of Plaquemines Parish appears to be permanently under water.

Your continued prayers are coveted. Much physical work remains to be done. If you or your group desire to come help, please contact me at central.bible.chapel@juno.com, or 334-365-3374.

Request from Bob Brown

From Bob Brown:

FYI phone numbers:

Scott Leach: (334) 365-3374
Bob Brown (cell): (985) 502-8760

Bob asks that we not over use his cell - using up minutes and/or batterypower!

Day 14 Update

Dear praying friends,
Well ... what a GREAT day in the Lord! Thank you all SO much for
upholding us with your prayer! We could feel them today as never before!
We gathered around the Lord Jesus this morning at 10 A.M. for about an
hour and a half ... Katrina "survivors" (we like that better than the
"refugees" that the media is calling us) ... crews of helpers ... kids
... even "Angel" the dog ... and a number of unbelievers (about 30 or so
in all)! I don't remember any better time (maybe last Sunday) of
remembrance! Today was also the first time many of us has seen each
other's faces! We've found that it's one thing to hear a person's voice
on the phone ... but when we SEE THEIR FACE most of us break down in
tears!!! We've talked about it and it helps us understand to a whole
different level what it will be like when "we see HIM face to face!" OH
... THAT will be Glory ... be Glory to me!!! How the tears will flow ...
how the pent up emotions will explode ... after all those years of
separation ... to look on His face!!! The other theme seemed to be the
DESTRUCTION that the 26' wall of water caused to Slidell ... and all that
have come here to help!! BUT ... on that dark day on the cross when the
waves and billows crashed over our Savior ... for me ... for you ... for
us ... there was NONE to help ... only the lonely cry of "My God, My God
... why hast thou forsaken me!" Who can fathom the depths of His love
for us! It really makes our little temporal sufferings seem
insignificant! After carrying out nearly ALL of their earthly belongings
and throwing them on a HUGE pile on the curb, one of our men ... who's
home was filled with 5 feet of lake water, muck, and dead things ... put
up a huge sign on the pile that said: "This pile of stuff is nor our
life ... our life is hidden in CHRIST!!!" And so it is ... isn't it!
Well, as has been the ongoing case ... when you think it can't
possibly get worse ... it gets worse!!! Tonight a truck went down the
street and tore out our phone line ... nearly our only link to the
outside ... and you! Thankfully we got a relative of one of our ladies
who works for the phone company to come out and reconnect us ... nothing
seriously broken ... just the line pulled down ... PRAISE THE LORD!!!
We're doing pretty good! We sent a crew of men out today and a
new group from the Chicago Area arrived at camp tonight. The tree
trimmers from Tennessee are still working through tomorrow. We're still
in the "tear out" mode ... so the main needs continue to be money and
manpower.
Well, I'm going to go to bed early tonight ... so I'll sign off
with a little more upbeat e-mail tonight ... and we'll get back to the
battle tomorrow!
Thank you all again for your love, for your interest, for your
involvement, for your prayers ... AND FOR YOU!!!
Our very special love in Christ,
Bob & JoAnne

Day 13 Update

Dear Praying Friends,
Well, today was a GREAT day! We had a team of 3 in from
Birmingham, AL, a team of 7 in from Montgomery, AL, and an Arborist crew
of 3 from Nashville, TN and they worked themselves half to death ... but
when the end of the day was here there was one of the worst houses nearly
completed, a second house well underway, my own house nearly completed
and the trees cut off of 3 houses (one neighbor said they would do
"Anything" to get the tree off his house ... the price? ... attend
meetings at the chapel every Sunday ... FOR LIFE!!! Well, we'll see how
that goes. At least it's a step. As I left to walk back to the home
where we're staying tonight I stopped by another neighbor lady's home to
talk to her. When I started to leave, she said "God bless you!" ... I
said He ALWAYS does ... especially when life is difficult! She scrunched
up her face and as I left she was still "pondering"! We'll follow up
tomorrow.
I was told today that the NUMBER 2 requested item at the relief
stations was ... BIBLES!!! We've had a number of offers to provide them,
but the locals are just too overwhelmed trying to survive and get back
into their homes to do such outreaches! One good outreach possibility is
to take a van, stop at the FEMA stations and volunteer to bring FEMA
Supplies out to those who can't get to them. One stopped by my home the
other day and after off loading some MRE's, Water, and Ice .. they asked
if they could pray with me! Obviously I took them up on the offer and we
had a GREAT time of prayer together. These might be good times to give
out Bibles or Tracts.
I've also arranged to have a Missions organization come down
(self contained) and set up to show films to break the monotony of the
Aid Personnel as well as children etc. They will show (I think) the
Jesus Movie as well as others. We'll pray that the Lord will bless these
efforts.
A little point of interest might be that Scott Leach (Prattville,
AL) has set up the following little website to publish information on
Katrina's impact on the Assemblies here:
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-deepsouthassemblies. Shawn Abigail has
also set up the following Blog (He has tried to tell me what a blog is
but I still am too technology challenged to get it!)
http://brethrenhelping.blogspot.com.
Tomorrow morning we will be joining the rest of you in
remembering our Wonder-FULL Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ! We think
we'll have nearly 20 or so with some of our workers here with us ... the
fare will be about the same as last week ... fruit juice and MRE biscuit
... that'll be a little different that what most of you will be having
... but, though the taste may be a little different ... THE FLAVOR of the
Savior will be the same! So ... I'll sign off for now ... and see you
tomorrow at the Throne of Grace!
May the God of all Grace and Mercy richly bless and keep each of you ...
for your abounding love and care expressed to the very least of His
People ... inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these,
my brethren, you've done it ... UNTO CHRIST!
From the eye of the storm!
Our very special love in Christ
Bob & JoAnne Brown
Slidell, Louisiana

Note from Shawn

My DSL Modem picked the perfect time to quit (and Bell has said the issues will be resolved in 24 hours to 7 days(!)). My access to email and ability to post updates will be limited for the next couple of days. Bob had an update at 3 AM this morning, but it is on a different computer. I hope to do more updates on Monday.

Sept 9, 2005 Update

Received from Bob Brown (note: I have not posted the pictures Bob refers to in his email. Bold face is added by myself):

Dear Praying friends,

Well, what a blessing these days! We've been having some people in to serve as "Slave Labor" .. and what a GREAT help they have been! As I said, we are in the tearing out mode these days. Stripping out everything that is wet .. carpet, boxes, clothes, walls, sheetrock, insullation, etc. etc. etc. (see pic of flooded chapel family home). Then bleaching all these areas to kill the bacteria. Then ventillating with sunlight and circulating air. If the power is on we air condition.

If you would like to come ... call first ... FIRST coordinate with Scott Leach in Montgomery, AL. (see my e-mail on contact points) as to how many will come and when. That way we don't have eveyone coming on the same day! Groups of 2-4 seem to work best ... with some need for larger groups. But the smaller group is more manageable and fits in better with the locals. Then contact me by phone and I'll give you the latest needs that you can bring down if you would like. Most of the workers that come have been staying at the camp (call first to arrange for a key to get in).

Current needs are mainly for PRAYER, funds and smaller groups of manpower ... some skilled and some nonskilled. We've also been reaching out to some families outside of the Assembly. some Christians, some unsaved, hopefully tomorrow / Saturday we'll help a small Baptist Church with some of their damage. We have enough (at least for now) staples, food, generators, gas, diesel and water. We could use a couple extension ladders. If you call before you come I can give you the latest needs and often you can bring a few "special" things that are a help or an encouragement!

On the lighter more frivolous side ... Some of you that know me know that I am a Sailor ... both in my past carreer in the Navy ... and as a current hobby (?) and that JoAnne and I have an old sailboat (s/vEres Tu ) which we have had and used to reach out to people for the Lord. It had already been through a 10 foot tidal surge inGeorge' a number of years ago ... but this time I REALLY feared that Katrina's 14 foot surge would do her (beautiful little uninsured) bodyin!!! Well .. Matt Phelan was here from Nashville for the past few days and knew that, while I had asked the Lord to protect her, I was concerned about her and didn't even want to go out to the Bayou to see what was or wasn't left. So Matt said he would go out with me for moral support. The road to the marina was a HUGE disaster ... the marina hadprobably 75% of the boats thrown up on land or sunk ... we had to wade through muck and marsh grass a foot or two deep and climb over and under wreckage of other boats. Stretching our necks around a wrecked boat, I hesitatingly peered at where Eres Tu used to be moored and ... THERE SHE WAS!!! Floating so pristinely ... only one dockline broken and the fronthatch blown off and sitting on the side deck! (see picture) UNBELIEVABLE... oh ye of little faith!!! Sitting there like she was waiting for me to come visit her .. everything around her in wreckage! What a little miracle and encouragement that the Lord even cares about the little things in our lives!

Well, thank you again for your involvement, your prayers, and your sacrificial giving! We couldn't be moving ahead without you!

Our very special love in Christ,
Bob & JoAnne

September 8 evening update

Received from Bob Brown:

Dear praying friends,

With the new folks that have come, I believe we will have enough generators and pressure washers. Maybe a few more chain saws and the oil, files etc. to go with them. Still will need some staples at camp. Probably getting ready to need some construction work but we'll let everyone know as things move along. PRAISE THE LORD for all your interest, involvement, help, giving and prayer! The very best of our love to you all,

Bob & JoAnne

P.S. - Probably a current need of tree removal too.

Revised information on donations

Received from Bob Brown:

HERE IS INFORMATION THAT I PUT OUT EARLIER ... made a little clearer now... If people want to DONATE, here are some options:

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE / GIFTS to JoAnne and me can goto: Bob & JoAnne Brown - c/o Mr. Jonathan Lee - 1290 Park Boulevard -Apt. 118 - Baton Rouge, LA. 70806. He'll get them to us. You can alsouse Christian Workers Fellowship. My cell # is (985) 502-8760 ,,, thoughit doesn't always work these days ... TRY NOT to use it very much which will allow me to focus my time on other matters and trying to keep to other, more pressing matters. I TRY to check my e-mail each day ... whenI can get on. The camp phone ... (601) 958-8447 ... will be a help WHENit gets back in service. The camp currently has NO PHONE SERVICE ... andNO CELL SERVICE

GIFTS TO SLIDELL BIBLE CHAPEL / IT'S PEOPLE ... can be sent to the same addresses.

In EACH of these cases PLEASE BE CLEAR AS TO WHETHER THEGIFT IS FOR US PERSONALLY OR FOR THE CHAPEL & OTHER PEOPLE.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE / GIFTS to Ray and Peetsie Cummings may be sent to them c/o Bill Walker at Southside Bible Chapel inLafayete, LA. They may be sent to them at: Ray & Peetsie Cummings - c/oWilliam O. Walker - 103 Robert Drive - Lafayette, LA. 70506 - Phone: (337) 232-6577.

GIFTS TO LAKE PARK CHAPEL / IT'S PEOPLE ... OR ... SALAEVANGELICA / IT'S PEOPLE ... can be sent to the same address

In EACH of these cases PLEASE BE CLEAR AS TO WHETHER THE GIFT IS FOR THEM PERSONALLY OR FOR THE CHAPEL & OTHER PEOPLE.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF IN THE WHOLE AREA ...correspondence / gifts can go to: CMML ... indicating for the Hurricane Katrina Fund.

Bill Walker at Southside Bible Chapel inLafayete, LA. has also set up a "Spanish Assembly Relief Fund" to handle gifts for the Spanish Assembly - they may be sent to him at: William O.Walker - Spanish Assembly Relief Fund - 103 Robert Drive - Lafayette, LA.70506 - Phone: (337) 232-6577.

Ray & Peetsie Cummings and several couples from Lake ParkChapel as well as one couple from the Spanish Meeting can be reached (when they are there - everyone is REALLY busy working through everyday trials) at Southside Bible Chapel ... Phone: (337) 989-8928.

Most of us will be tied up with working at or near our homes ... Ray has been working on getting home and a number of other difficult issues and I haven't been able to get to him for a couple of days now ... and we still haven't been able to get in to verify the condition of the Believers homes from Lake Park Chapel or the Spanish Meeting ... so that's a real issue to sort out and for you to pray about.


IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE ON GETTING INFO ... OR GETTINGSUPPLIES TO US ... here are a couple of good contacts:

Scott Leach - 825 Upper Kingston Road -Prattville, AL. 36067 - Phone: (334) 365-3374 ... He can help with up todate information.

James Bonner - 2081 Bonner Town Road -Needham, Al. 36915 - Phone: (251) 843-5734 ... He'll coordinate material getting to us and to the camp.

Well, it's nearly 2:30 A.M. and we've got another big day tomorrow. I think I'll say good night! I know I speak for all the Assembly Saints in extending our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you ... for your thought and PRAYERS ... for your notes and calls of encouragement ... for your very generous giving ... for your practical gifts of items and materials ... for your interest and involvement ... and for YOU!!! Please continue to PRAY FOR US!!! We trust that the Lord will get Glory for Himself out of this whole thing!

Our love to each of you,
Bob & JoAnne Brown

More Info From the Field

This is a continuation of the email sent by Bob:

MANY have called to offer accommodations in various places. While weREALLY appreciate the thoughtfulness and love expressed, this iscurrently not of much value as people are just trying to get home or trying to stay home to work on their houses. There may be more of a need later.

There are thousands of troops in Slidell now to keep order and directsearch and rescue efforts. There are thousands of power companyemployees from all over the country working around the clock to get powerback on. Our first family got power yesterday ... I may have gotten ittoday ... still not sure. The gas line to my neighborhood is broken. Mosquito abatement personnel are working HUGE hours to try to spray tokeep mosquito borne diseases at bay ... looters are shot withouthesitation ... and neighbors are helping neighbors.

The Red Cross is virtually invisible ... FEMA is doing an excellent job... Churches are really visible trying to help ... Search and Rescuepersonnel are continuing to work their way into every corner of theparish to find dead or missing persons ... many are being found as thewaters subside in the flooded parishes dead in their cars or trapped in their attics where they tried to escape and didn't make it ... thousands are still undressed or missing.

If you need to find loved ones ... Listen to WWL AM870 Clear ChannelRadio - you can hear it nearly all over the country at night - the voiceof New Orleans - Now simulcasting with several other stations as "UnitedBroadcasting" out of Baton Rouge, LA. when their stations were floodedand they evacuated Call (225) 408-0201 to report missing loved ones. Also watch www.wwltv.com the same station's tv station ... or www.nola.com the site for the Times Picayune ... New Orleans news paper.

Please pray for the Believers here ... and the Believers from Lake ParkChapel in Belle Chasse and the Believers from Sala Evangelica ... whohave not yet been able to get in to work on their homes. Long after weare up and functional they will just be beginning. Also, keep in mindthat the needs of each chapel are different and that the needs vary fromday to day.

More Info on Deep South Family Bible Camp

This is a continuation of the message sent by Bob Brown:

THE CAMP IS NOW OPEN TO JUST ABOUT ANY TRAFFIC ... Andwe should have power set up by generator soon ... There is food and othersupplies prepositioned there ... Praise the Lord!!! Workers can stay atthe camp when they work here in Slidell.

If you come South on I-59 to the camp ... get off at the Poplarville Exit(Exit 29) ... turn Right on Highway 26 ... drive till you reach Highway43 turning off to your Left. Turn Left on Highway 43 and go a couple ofmiles to "Byrd's Chapel Road" you'll see a large white sign for the"Byrd's Chapel United Methodist Church".. Turn Right on Byrd's ChapelRoad ... stay right to John Ramsey Road and go to the end. Enter at theGate with 2 Deer on it. CALL ME before you come for access to keys toget you in.

The directions I gave you before are correct if you're coming from theSouth ... Go up I-59 ... enter Mississippi ... go to Exit #6 Picayune ...Turn Left on Highway 43 and go about 17 miles to Byrd's Chapel Road and do as above.

Be careful when you come. Check with your Doctor about immunizationsagainst disease and bacteria in the mess you'll be working in.Bring / Wear work gloves / rubber gloves and comfortable work footwear. Wear a hat to keep the sun off. Mosquito's are not a problem during theday but at night they can be pretty fierce!

Details from Bob Brown

Posted as received...

Dear Praying Friends,

I apologize for the LONG delay in getting an update out to you
... everyone is kind of "OVERwhelmed" here! But ... things are improving
slowly! We have had several come and help with "slave labor" which is
mostly what life is about these days! Here's how the procedure goes so
you can kind of picture the needs day by day:

TRY to get back to your home ... MANY have not been able to do
so. Lake Park Chapel & Sala Evangelica so far have not gotten everyone
back to check on their homes.

First carry out ALL wet items ... carpet along with EVERYTHING
that was on the floor and soaked up water. At the same time cut trees
off the roof and put tarps on to cover the holes ... IF the house is
capable of being saved ... and IF the house is not so severely cut in two
by the tree that tarping is impossible.

Second, disinfect everything ... floors, walls, everything.
Then cut back the sheet rock to above the flood level.
Pull out the insulation.
Then spray / disinfect these voids ... very strong chlorine
bleach and water ... or other such material.
then start cutting away HUGE piles of timber from your yard and haul it to the curb ... then start rebuilding.
All of this with no power ... maybe no water / sewer ... so no power appliances. this is where the generators come in handy .. and LOTS of cleaning gear.

While the husband is doing this, his wife is sitting in the FEMA
line to get Ice, Water and MRE's for the day. Then she tries to get
gasoline at one of the couple open stations (one person went up at 4:30
A.M. to sit in line at an "OPEN" station the other day only to get up to
the pump at 9:00 and there was NO GAS!

Then everything has to be done and everyone in by 9 P.M. due to a
mandatory curfew.

There is virtually not a home in Slidell (very few) that has not
sustained damage ... some totally destroyed ... some with only minor
damage. Many / Most were flooded by the Tidal Surge that came in from
the Gulf to Lake Pontchartrain like a huge 14 foot high wall of water.
So as you drive around it looks like some sort of movie set ... too
extreme to be real! Those that have come to help say they could never
have imagined such devastation!

However ... in the midst of it all ... we are HUGELY Blessed!!!
All the Saints in the 3 Assemblies are alive ... and SO FAR ... very few
of their homes have been lost. Praise the Lord for his ever faithful
hand of protection of His Own!

A couple of items that you could do to HELP ME in a mechanical
way ...
-Keep the e-mail to a minimum ... maybe one write for all
in your area.

-Keep the calls down to a minimum ... maybe one be the
spokesman for your area ... make a list of questions before you call

-READ THE E-MAIL BEFORE YOU CALL to see if your questions were already
answered. Then call me and just go as quickly as you can down the list
... I'll try to fill you in with folklore and philosophy as I think you
need it.

-Don't ask me to e-mail you a list of needs ... it takes
too much time ... and it will change tomorrow. It's quicker to tell them
to you on the phone and / or put them out once on the e-mail to all.
This way I can also give you up to date needs as they change almost
daily.

My contact information: Cell (all day - IF it is
working): (985) 502-8760 ... we have one hardline available the Fisher
home (985) 641-9324 (call between 9-10 P.M. our time - REMEMBER - this is
the ONLY hard line we have so PLEASE keep the calls to a minimum ... make
them brief and to the point ... don't duplicate calls!)

If you're coming to help ... for the most part we need
adults ... it's too hard to supervise young people and it causes us to
have to supervise them, assign them work, supervise them, provide tools
and materials for them ... i.e. it's work for us to work them! Also,
it's not a very safe area and not the best environment for a young
person. On a whole, groups of 2-3 are easier to handle than large
groups. Figure on Being self sufficient when you come.

Current Needs

Current needs include:
Funds
Vanilla flavor Soy milk.
Coke size cans of V8 juice or other High Potassium source
Staples ... esp. canned meat, vegetables, fruit
... NO PERISHABLES PLEASE.
Slave Labor ... 2-4 at a time.
Chain Saw crews ... one tree trimmer with his gear.
Anyone trained and supplied to clean, dry and disinfect after floods.

In time we'll need roofers, sheetrockers, carpenters ...
and materials.

Summary from Scott Leach

Posted as received...

Dear Brethren,
Here is some updated information regarding the assemblies affected by Hurricane Katrina. I will try to be as succinct as possible.

Slidell Bible Chapel, Slidell, LA: Work continues on the job of repairing the chapel and believers' homes. Many received flood damage, as did the chapel and other buildings. many trees are down, most services are unavailable and everything wet is ruined. Presently, a few of the believers whose homes were not flooded have had power restored, and they are providing housing for the others who are working on their homes, and the homes of related family and neighbors. Everyone is "dog-tired". Numbers of believers have come in from as far away as Michigan to give a few days, and help at Slidell and at the Camp (more on this later). Much has been accomplished, but there is so much more to do! At least two families' homes were completely ruined, with no hope of repair. Flood insurance is very costly, and many do not have it.

Lake Park Chapel & Sala Evangelica, Belle Chasse, LA: The believers who live near the chapel will not be allowed back into the area for at least six weeks, according to the Parish President (comparable to the head of a county commission in most states). Even though some power is being restored south of New Orleans on the west bank, the tap water is non-potable and will be for at least three weeks. People are warned to not even bathe in it. All of the believers homes, as well as the chapel and surrounding buildings, have suffered at least moderate damage, but no flooding. Twenty-three of the saints from these two meetings are being housed by Southside Bible Chapel in Lafayette, LA, with four more possibly coming later this week. Several from the Spanish meeting escaped with only "the clothes on their backs". The plan is for several of the families staying at Lafayette to move to the Deep South Family Bible Camp campground in Carriere', MS sometime next week.

Deep South Family Bible Camp, Carriere', MS: The campground continues to be the best staging area for relief efforts and temporary housing. Some brethren have come in and removed some road obstructions, making the camp fully accessible. Work crews coming in for the weekend anticipate staying at the camp and commuting into Slidell to work. There is no power service anticipated for several weeks, but generators have been donated and are being used. While southern Mississippi was severely thrashed by Katrina, the campground was comparable unscathed - thank you, Lord!

The different meetings have differing needs. While Slidell is more focused on reconstruction, Lake Park & Sala Evangelica, because they are not allowed back into their homes, are more in need of food, shelter, and clothing. Most of all, your continued prayers are appreciated. Please do not only pray for the affected believers, but those coming in to help with repairs as well. There are still gas shortages throughout the south, making it more difficult for those coming in to help. They make take enough additional fuel with them to be able to leave and travel 150 miles or more to get fuel.

I hope to see the saints at Slidell Saturday, Lord willing. It will probably be next week before another update.

In HIM,
Scott Leach

Driving Directions to Deep South Family Bible Camp

Note: the camp is being used as a center for relief activities:

The Camp Address: 36 John Ramsey Road - Carriere', Ms. 39426 - (601) 958-8447 (This is actually at the very end of John Ramsey Road in the community of Crossroads, MS. near Bogalusa, La).

There is nobody regularly at the camp now. The phone does not work yet.

Directions: Take I-59 North to Mississippi I-59 Exit 6 (2nd Picayune, MS exit … Highway 43 North). At the end of the Exit 6 Off Ramp, turn LEFT (you are now on Hwy. 43 North). Continue on Highway 43 for approximately 19 miles to Byrd Chapel Road (on Left). You will pass the following landmarks: BP Gas Station / Grocery on Right @ 14.7 mi. / New Henleyfield Southern Baptist Church on Right @ 15.5 miles / First Baptist Church of Henleyfield on Left @ 16.5 mi. / Fortenberry’s on Left @ 16.7 mi. / Baseball Field on Left @ 16.9 mi. You will come to Byrd Chapel Road (large rustic wood sign for Byrd’s Chapel United Methodist Church) on Left @ 19.1 miles. Turn Left on Byrd Chapel Road. Stay on the main dirt road to the end. At 20.4 miles Byrd Chapel Road will become John Ramsey Road. At the end of the road (20.6 miles) both gates are ours. The Deer Gate on the Right leads to the Lodge Building and parking, the gate straight ahead of you leads to the Adult housing facility.

Please continue to pray for us and all the Believers along the Gulf Coast and the Deep South. There were power outages for days as far inland as Birmingham, Al. Pray also for those trying to help ... for safey and for wisdom in what to do and how to do it .. and how best to use the few resources we have available. One critical need will be food to feed the couples at the Camp if we can get that set up and functional.

More on Slidell

I also received this email through Bill Yuille:


----- Original Message -----
From: Robert R Brown
To: JesusIsTheWay@Juno.com
Sent: 3 septembre 2005 00:30
Subject: HURRICANE KATRINA ... INFO ON HELPS ... PRAY ON ... THANK YOU ... FOR YOU!!!!

Dear Praying Brothers and Sisters in Christ, JoAnne and I will head back to Slidell, LA tomorrow early to see what we can do on site. So ... you may not get any updates for some time. Before we go I wanted to pass along some contact information to you and some information on what you can do to help up to this point:

1. We really need EVERYTHING!
2. Finances are of primary importance as there are no jobs and therefore no income for most of the people.
3. We need water, food, LOTS of gasoline, linnens, toilet paper, CLOROX and other basic essentials ... also walkie talkie sets would be a huge help!
4. Long term we will need pressure washers, LOTS of bleech, generators, chain saws, tarps, building materials, shingles, tar paper, plywood, 2x4's, etc.
5. We will need workers ... especially with construction skills. Labor and skills to help.

Some of the primary considerations will be that there is already no water, food or fuel. So any HELP will necessarilly need to come self contained ... or it will just add to the already overwhelming burden of just "surviving"! Bring your own money, food, water, fuel, living accomodations, linnens, clothes, etc, etc, etc. When / if you come, you will have to come with enough fuel to not only get here ... but enough to get out and back too! There is NO FUEL within probably 4-5 hours of the coast. Even rescue workers are having trouble because of this. There is also NO COMMUNICATIONS. Bring walkie talkie's. Trucks are a help. Come inoculated against our tropical diseases ... the rotting / decaying carcasses and other flotsom is beyond your imagination. Come prepared for the worst! Boots, clothing for HOT / tropical weather.

If people want to give here are some options:
PERSONAL CORRESPONDANCE / GIFTS to JoAnne and me can go to: Bob & JoAnne Brown - c/o Mr. Jonathan Lee - 1290 Park Boulevard - Apt. 118 - Baton Rouge, LA. 70806. He'll get them to us. My cell # is (985) 502-8760 ,,, though it doesn't always work these days ... TRY NOT to use it very much so I can conserve minutes and to allow me to focus my time on other matters and trying to keep to other pressing matters. My e-mail is checked 2 times a day ... when I can hook up. The camp phone will be a help WHEN it gets back in service.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDANCE / GIFTS to Ray and Peetsie Cummings may be sent to them c/o the same address above.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF IN THE AREA ... correspondance / gifts can go to: CMML ... indicating for the Hurricane Katrina Fund.

Bill Walker at Southside Bible Chapel in Lafayete, LA. has also set up an account to handle gifts for the area - they may be sent to him at: William O. Walker - Hurricane Katrina Fund - 103 Robert Drive - Lafayette, LA. 70506 - Phone: (337) 232-6577.

Ray & Peetsie Cummings and several couples from Lake Park Chapel as well as one couple from the Spanish Meeting can be reached (when they are there) at Southside Bible Chapel ... Phone: (337) 989-8928.

Most of us will be tied up with working at or near the site ... Ray has been working at the camp a great deal and I haven't been able to get to him for a couple of days ... and we still haven't been able to get in to verify the condition of the Believers homes from Lake Park Chapel or the Spanish Meeting ... so that's a real issue to sort out and for you to pray for.

If you need assistance on getting INFO .. OR GETTING SUPPLIES TO US ... here are a couple of good contacts:
James Bonner - 2081 Bonner Town Road - Needham, Al. 36915 - Phone: (251) 843-5734 ... He'll coodinate material getting to us and to the camp.
Scott Leach - 825 Upper Kingston Road - Prattville, AL. 36067 - Phone: (334) 365-3374 ... He can help with up to date information.

Relief Activities in Slidell

I received the following message through Bill Yuille:

From: John & Gail Nogueras
To: jgnogueras@gmail.com
Sent: 9/2/2005 12:43:36 PM
Subject: Hurricane Katrina Relief for Slidell, LA

Hello all,

As you probably remember, Gail and I will be closing on our house on Long Island sometime this month and as crazy as it sounds are in the process of buying a house in Slidell Louisiana. We do not believe this to be coincidence as the Lord has been preparing us for this and all things have been falling in place. Slidell is the town on the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain (New Orleans is on the South Shore) and it has been hit pretty hard as well by the hurricane. We are literally at the point of being weeks away from this move. At this point, since there are no utilities to the town, we plan to put our household goods in storage here on L.I. Gail and the kids are probably going to stay with her parents in Florida. I on the other hand am being led by the Lord to make a pilgrimage to Slidell to help with the disaster relief and rebuilding. The assembly in Slidell hasin the last year purchased a camp about 40 miles north of Slidell in Mississippi and are planning to use this facility as a staging area for the members while they rebuild their homes. I will be staying there as well. I am willing to donate my time and my skills as a construction worker and a fisher of men to this ministry. I am planning to do all of this and leave here by Wednesday or Thursday September 7th or 8th. My plans are at this point to:

• Buy a trailer or have one donated. (Enclosed utility trailer) Approximately $2600.00
• Buy MRE's (Military Meals for the field) 20 cases = 240 Meals @ $6.84each totaling $1641.60 from West Point Military Academy in upstate NY. Theyhave set these meals aside for me and seem to be the only place that I can find them.
• Load my truck and the trailer with gas (cans of gas for the generator and I will need money for gas for my truck), the MRE's, Water, and other items such as: First Aid supplies, Chain Saws, Socks and underwear, Baby Wipes, Toiletries, Tarps, Flash Lights, Batteries D & AA & AAA, Duct Tape, Matches, Waterless Soap, Antibacterial Sanitizer Gel, Contractor grade garbage bags, Inflatable baby pools, Camp Showers, Latex Gloves, Masks, Load my tools, nail guns, hammers, generator, shovels, and so on....

I have petitioned my local Home Depot and they are going to give me a call today to let me know if they will be able to donate some of these things. Chances are good that they will be able to.

I have set up a channel for the finances to go through and to be accounted for. Charlie Oliveras from Village Lane Bible Chapel has access as the chapels Treasurer to the chapels' bank account. All financial support can be mailed or delivered to him and can be made payable to Village Lane Bible Chapel. He will then be able to get the money directly to a bank account designated for this effort that we in Louisiana will have access to. His address is 9 Saxon Rd, Centereach, NY 11720. His home phone number is(631) 698-0060 and his cell phone number is (631) 521-4819.

In addition, if there are people who cannot help financially but are able to send packages, Bob Brown has given me an address to send those packages to. Please have them sent to: Bob Brown c/o James Bonner 2081 Bonnertown Rd. Needham, Alabama 36915

Please commit all of this to prayer as time is of the essence to get this relief to the area. As soon as I can get all of these things in place I will pack up and hit the road. My cell phone number is 631 764-9001 and my email is jgnogueras@gmail.com. My wife, Gail's cell phone number is 631 523-5913 in case you cannot get in touch with me directly. Thank you very much for your time and prayer in this matter. Let us trust in the Lord to provide for the needs of His people.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,
John Nogueras

Other Blogs

Some folks affected by the hurricane have posted pictures on their blogs.

The first link is to Locusts and Wild Honey, the blog of a Southern Baptist pastor. This link shows what's left of their chapel (i.e. nothing). Apparently all the Christians attending that church are alive, but all have lost their houses.

The second link is not to a Christian site, but has a lot of photos showing the destruction Katrina sowed along the Gulf Coast.

Updates Available on Uplook Website

The Uplook website has updates on the assemblies in Slidell and in Lafayette.

Details from Tylertown Mississippi

A number have inquired about the status of believers in the assembly inTylertown, Miss. There has been limited contact over the past few days andwe would like to give you some general information. None of the believers sustained any injury. Loss to property has been sustained by some and the ability to have public services has been greatly reduced. Brother Keith Young had a very large tree fall on his house. At this point it has been removed and the need now is to secure the house until repairs can be accomplished. To give you an idea of the size of the tree, it cost $6,000.00 to remove it. Insurance will assist with this. There is no phone service there and any contact is through E-mail to keithyoung@aol.com. Keith and his wife are living with a sister in Jackson, Miss. Regular mail can still be directed to Keith at 1200 Estelle Ave Hattiesburg, MS 39402

Bonnie and Ben in Biloxi have sustained roof damage to their home, but are living in it at present. Some of the older Christians homes were sparedand the brethren have supplied them with food and other things they need forthe present. The condition of the Gospel Hall has not been determined as yet. The assembly has set up an account : Tylertown Gospel Hall - Benevolent fund. Funds can be forwarded through the Truth & Tidings Gospel Trust, USA, designated for that purpose.

At this point funds are not the immediate need, long range there may be more need. Carpentry help could be put to use forassistance in restoring the damaged homes and it would be best to be in touch with Keith Young for coordination if any thought they had time togive. It will be important to determine if supplies are available to do any corrective work.

This is given for the purpose of information and is not intended to be a solicitation. Any funds that are received will be maintained separate for use in needy situations among the Christians and in the community for testimony purpose. The interest relative to the assembly and the Christians is appreciated and we can all pray that each will be sustained and experience the good Hand of the Lord in all this situation. He makes no mistakes.

MARANATHA
Bill Oliver

Details from Louisiana

The following information was provided by Bob and JoAnne Brown:

Dear Praying Friends,

Well, if you've been watching the national news you already knowthat about the time you think things just can't possibly get worse ...they get worse!I'm sure that NOBODY in the government is doing ANYTHING right... but given the choice between being me in my place and being them intheirs ... I think I'll take where and who I am to being where and whothey are! No wonder the Lord tells us to pray for those in authorityover us!!! UGH! Imagine trying to evacuate 2 to 3 1/2 million peoplewith a category 5 hurricane breathing down your neck ... with almost NO notice! Then having the place you evacuated the poor and infirm tolooseit's roof and flood. NOW you've got to try to evacuate the evacuationshelters ... while people are dyeing from lack of adequate care ...bodies on the sidewalk and in the convention center ... and then lootersand snipers begin shooting at the aid workers!

Well you probably have more details about it all than we do. Looting! Shooting! Fires with nopossible way to put them out! Broken / Burning gas lines! Raw sewage,petrochemicals, wood, insulation, dead animals and dead human bodiesfloating EVERYWHERE! Rescue workers who can't communicate with eachother due to no electricity for the towers or phones. Even the Satellitephones only work sporadically! And now no gasoline! A catastrophe ofmonumental proportions! Do you think that people have a sense of needyet!!! If I wasn't saved, I'd sure be willing to discuss it! Praise theLord for once again stirring the ashes of men's hearts!!!

The governor called for a statewide day of prayer ...! someone else said that wouldn'tbe a bad idea for the whole nation ... and the ACLU didn't even complainor sue anyone! Amazing! Unbelievers going to the "God who doesn'texist" for help! REALLY Amazing!!!On the PRAISE THE LORD end of things ... Duze is alive! We foundhim as well as his Dad and Step Mother and they're ok! Praise the Lord!We also got a little more accounting done ... as I told youeveryone now is accounted for from Slidell Bible Chapel. Also, everyone from Lake Park Chapel is accounted for and everyone from the Spanish Meeting is accounted for. Everyone is spread all over the country, butthey are alive and well! Praise the Lord!

We also got our own people into Slidell for the first time ... onsite ... on the ground! Not a pretty site ... but MUCH to be encouragedby! Lee Sandifer called me on his way back to the Memphis area (roundtrip in one day ... no gas available in route ... so had to carry extragas with him)!! He said the more you saw, the more numb you became ...destruction everywhere! And then you realized ... sure, there's a LOTdown, but LOOK AT HOW MUCH IS STILL STANDING!!! His estimate was that ifwe could get power today, there might be 40% of Slidell operable (maybe not well ... but operable)! They expect to have power back on in 6-8 weeks. His house and his fathers home had about 5 feet of water in them.Our home had about a foot of water in it. The chapel is flooded. Mostof other homes had minor damage and some had flooding. Two mobile homesprobably a loss.

All in all the outcome was very good for having gone through the eye of the worst hurricane to ever strike the US mainland!!!There is a LOT to do and MUCH that is needed. We're a LONG way from evenbeing able to be in our homes ... but in the end, we're VERY thankful forthe Lord's care for us ... and His INCREDIBLE / UNBELIEVABLE / MIRACULOUSanswers to YOUR prayers!!! JoAnne and I are going to try to head home on Saturday with a stop in Needham, Al. Their power is still out along with many all upthrough Mississippi and Alabama as far as Birmingham. Then on to Slidelland make plans for our house, the chapel and others homes and then a stop back at camp. We're not sure where we'll end up.

Ray Cummings got into the camp last night and found that it onlyhad minor damage so if we can get 5 x 5,000 watt generators to power thecamp ... and the Gasoline to run them ... we will be able to houseapproximately 30 families! So that's what we're working on right now.Once we get a few people more or less permanently at the camp we canbegin putting out a list of needed items that can be brought in to theCamp for further distribution to people / places needing them from there.I'm sure we'll need water, food, generators, chain saws, tarps andfinances. Most will not have jobs or income for quite some time. We'll also be ! able to begin getting mail at some point in time ... probably also at the camp, we'll see.

Specific items of prayer is for strength and wisdom for all of us down here. For the Lord's help in making all the decisions necessary. Pray for health issues with all the tropical diseases that grow out ofthe current conditions. Pray for safety as we all work to get life backon track ... also for safety from critters sharing the same high groundwith us ... also safety from injury as we work and safety from hazards from down wires etc. Pray we can get fuel and water and food.Well, enough for now. THANK YOU so much for your prayers ... for your encouragement ... and for YOU! Please continue to keep us in your regular prayers!

Our love to you all,
Bob & JoAnne Brown

Summary from Louisiana

I will post some emails, but here is a summary:

• everyone now is accounted for from Slidell Bible Chapel, Lake Park Chapel and the Spanish Meeting
• Slidell Bible Chapel is flooded
• some Christians have sustained damage to their homes
• Ray Cummings and some others are trying to get things in shape at a Bible Camp so as to be able to house approximately 30 people

Sending Assistance

CMML and MSC have sent the following email to a number of assemblies...

"CMML has established a special Hurricane Katrina Disaster Fund. With the help of faithful brethren in the affected area we will forward any gifts received to those in need…as soon as it is possible. In the aftermath of Katrina it has been difficult to obtain details of the destruction and the totality of the devastation from those in the area and therefore we are unable to provide any further information at this time.

If you wish to send funds via CMML to be used to help in this way, please include a note indicating that your financial gift is to be used for the Hurricane Katrina Disaster.

Please DO NOT send any food, clothing or other relief supplies to CMML. We are only able to receive and distribute financial gifts.

Please continue to pray for those affected by this disaster."

Funds sent to MSC will be forwarded to CMML.

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina has devastated the coast of Louisiana and Mississippi, doing particular damage to the city of New Orleans. There are a number of New Testament assemblies in the area. This blog was created to provide information about the health and situation of the Christians in the affected areas, information on how this storm has affected homes and chapels, and information on how you can help the Christians rebuild their lives, homes and chapels.

If you have any information, please send it to me and I'll post it.

I was told today that MSC and CMML are receiving funds to help with hurricane relief. At the time of posting this message their web sites don't have any details.