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Post by futureadvantage on Sept 19, 2006 14:35:53 GMT -5
Just a word and request for prayers for many of the Katrina victims. We are just a year over the storm here along the Gulf Coast, while I had minimal damage to my home. Many lost everything, I just had a conversation with a single mom, who has lived in a FEMA trailer the past year. While she has a lot, to rebuild on, she received little insurance (not in a flood zone). To rebuild now she must re-build her house on a raised foundation, that alone adds around $20,000 to the cost.
She is representative of only one family. We have so many that are still in need of the basics of life...
I ask your prayer for these families, and that their needs be met in the coming weeks and months ahead.
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Post by futureadvantage on Sept 24, 2006 14:16:05 GMT -5
We had a Gulf Coast Remembrance service at our church today. This was a Christian music based presentation with 3-4 testimony of some of our church family who had lost homes, and their possessions, other than what they had with them when they evacuated during Katrina. Very touching service.
But whether it be during storms of nature, storm of life, or storms of business...
Knowing that Jesus is there and in control bring security and peace.
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Post by billcole on Oct 7, 2006 13:39:30 GMT -5
this is bill cole, yes michael is right, i was one of those people who lost everything in hurricane katrina, and was in a fema trailer for 9 months. as bad as my family had it there are so many people worst off than i am, people who are still living in fema trailers and dont know where they are going are what they are going to do. the insurance companies have really messed a lot of people up, but that is not what this is about. i will say this, if it werent for volunteers coming down here to help we would not have made it, so believe me when i say there are still go people in this world. like michael said we have just had the one year anniversity of katrina, it is a long way from being fixed, so please do pray for the people of south ms. and southern la.
thanks..............................bill cole
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Post by Sandi Moses on Oct 7, 2006 15:56:17 GMT -5
Would this be a good time and place to plug my favorite charity, Samaritan's Purse? ;D
They stayed in San Diego County for many months after the October, 2003 fires. They were among the first into the Gulf Coast region after Katrina, focusing on Mississippi while the media focused on New Orleans. They are still in the Gulf Coast region, helping people rebuild.
Donations and volunteers gratefully accepted.
Sandi
PS: To those of you along the Gulf Coast, dealing with insurance and permits and all that only gets worse. A family in my church who lost their home in the fire still has not rebuilt. 
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Post by billcole on Oct 8, 2006 8:10:56 GMT -5
sandi, i did see them here on the gulf coast, yes we would not have made it through if not for those kinds of people.
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Post by futureadvantage on Oct 9, 2006 20:14:08 GMT -5
Sandi
You mention the Insurance, not sure how it is in CA with the houses and fires, most of the Gulf Coast families that lost everything completely whether from wind or water are having to "fight" for every penny. I spoke with a family last week who said, "I paid my premium for 40 years, never had a claim, now they could care less (insurance company).
The church family from all across this nation and probably some from other countries made a huge difference. The church I work for was not seriously damaged, and we were able to serve meals at first to the emergency search and rescue, police and military that came to help. After several weeks it moved to church groups coming to "mud-out" the houses that were repairable, then came the people to begin to rebuild. We had as many as 130 people from various groups sleeping at the church. I lost count but at one time in the process we had people from over 30 states that had either been feed or sleep at our church facilities. IT WAS AMAZING to see how the Lord supplied for needs, of food supplies and equipment.
To me the largest issue we will face over the coming year is helping people realize that their insurance company will not come through and replace what was lost, without some major legal cases being won in court.
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Post by Sandi Moses on Oct 9, 2006 22:23:29 GMT -5
The insurance companies have attorneys on retainer, and have almost endlessly deep pockets. It is more cost-effective for them to drag it out in court until all the victims die of old age than it is to actually go to trial and possibly lose.
It has been 3 years here and many people are still not into a permanent home. It is very hard on them.
Sandi
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Post by rbarras on Oct 22, 2006 11:10:23 GMT -5
Hi, All
Sandi- Samaritan's Purse has set up a base camp at the church I attend in Kiln, MS. They will be here for another year at least. I thank God for these wonderful people that have given of their lives to help us. This area does still need much help and prayers. I also am one of the blessed that escaped without a lot of damage. Two of my children lost the roof and one lost the entire house. Many people here may never be able to return to their homes due the insurance companies not honoring contracts. I agree with Bill and Michael we are recovering due to the Church coming in and gutting homes, cleaning ground and building homes for those that can not. We have seen the Church in action as I believe God means for His people to work. Thanks for the prayers for the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Louisiana Southern areas.
Ruby
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Post by Sandi Moses on Oct 23, 2006 22:01:22 GMT -5
I guess you don't have to wonder why Samaritan's Purse is my favorite charity .  They go where the need is - not where the publicity is - and stay as long as necessary or as long as they can.
Don't hold your breath for the insurance companies to come through. A guy from my church was being interviewed on TV just the other day about not being able to get his house rebuilt after the fire. The fire was in 2003! 
Here is a picture taken from where my daughter went to high school. Miraculously the entire church / school complex was undamaged.
Sandi
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Post by futureadvantage on Oct 31, 2006 20:22:29 GMT -5
More and more is the reality setting in for many of the Gulf Coast communities that their insurance is not going to help. Even Senator Trent Lott is having to sue his insurance company. Maybe he and others with some influence and power will have enough impact to help the average family who is living in a 400 foot camper (nice for a weekend, not a year+).
When you take this along the Gulf Coast, the fires that Sandi spoke of in an earlier post, and stories from many FL hurricane victims, who have had some of the highest deductables ....gotta wonder who is really taking the risk in insurance...the company or the policy holder.
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Post by futureadvantage on Nov 21, 2006 12:40:52 GMT -5
Just a word and request for prayers for many of the Katrina victims. We are just a year over the storm here along the Gulf Coast, while I had minimal damage to my home. Many lost everything, I just had a conversation with a single mom, who has lived in a FEMA trailer the past year. While she has a lot, to rebuild on, she received little insurance (not in a flood zone). To rebuild now she must re-build her house on a raised foundation, that alone adds around $20,000 to the cost. She is representative of only one family. We have so many that are still in need of the basics of life... I ask your prayer for these families, and that their needs be met in the coming weeks and months ahead. Just received word from this lady that her foundation needs have been take care of. Two church Groups that have provided countless hours working within our community are suppling her financial needs. One Church from VA. and one from MN are able to donate the funds. When you place your trust and faith on Jesus as the foundation --the foundational needs will be provide. Thanks for answered prayers. Michael |
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Sandi 
They go where the need is - not where the publicity is - and stay as long as necessary or as long as they can.