MFI Media Support Team - Katrina Devastation   Continued ....

How does one begin to help when the area is so enormous, the people in need number in the hundreds of thousands and the devastation is so complete?  Our hearts cry for the victims of the storm.

We pray too for the media as we watch the reporters desperately trying to remain objective and searching for words that will convey what they are experiencing to the television audience.  Many of them have tears in their eyes and a break in their voice. 

The mission of the Media Support Team, sponsored by Media Fellowship International, is to assist and encourage the members of the news crews and show them that we care - a cup of coffee, someone to talk to and a friend in the midst of chaos.

#5 At the Airport  in Baton Rouge

 Saturday, September 10, 2005

Today was most interesting. This morning I had time for devotions and to visit with the two men, Bob and Ron, who are with me.

Ron and I went to the airport to meet two other volunteers who were coming in from Los Angeles to help at the Media Support Center. Their plane had been delayed due to mechanical problems so we had to wait.  While we visited we had several people stop by to ask questions.  One man was from Gothenberg, Sweden.  Everyone we spoke to took a brochure explaining who we are and what we are doing here. 

The realization hit me that yesterday, when I was talking about the stench at some of the areas in New Orleans, I did not realize it then, but each of those areas was yet to be examined for bodies.  Most of the traveling we did there was in an area as yet not cleared of those living there; of the sharpshooters or the bodies.  That is quite a realization that the Lord took us in and out of those situations in such peace and safety.

  h While we waited we had coffee in a small coffee shop in the baggage area.  I noticed a young man who seemed to be distracted.  I went over and said good morning.  In visiting with him I found that he was just returning from three days off.  He had been gone to see his wife who had gone to be with family to get away from the damage to their home and to allow him time to work.

He is a police officer in New Orleans.  As we visited it was obvious that his heart was nearly broken. He was downtown when the hurricane came in and was one of the officers called out to quell the looting on Canal Street.  He was also one of the men called in to stop the looting and crime in the Convention center.

He spoke of the difficulty when Kristina came in: they had no power, they had no phones, all of them were concerned about their own homes. They had no communication with other stations.  They had no radio, no TV and were pretty much isolated from everyone else.  They were doing what they were told by their superiors without any outside knowledge.

He talked about watching these people pull their pickups or SUV's up on the median and leaving them there while going in to the stores and bringing out bags full of items.  He said you can hardly believe that people can act that way.

He talked about the impossible conditions at the Convention Center.  Inside at night it was completely black.  The looters would be doing pretty much what they pleased. They would attack or fire on whomever they pleased; they especially targeted the police.  He said that even though the police were being fired upon, they could do nothing in retaliation because of the darkness and their concern about hitting innocent bystanders.

He was very open about these things and wanted to talk more in depth; but as we became close to the topics at hand his eyes would well up and he would come to the verge of tears.  I had to be careful not to push him over that edge.  He gave me his phone number and asked that I keep in touch.  I will call him.  Please pray for me for wisdom while talking to him.  Under the cover of darkness evil prevailed.  I’ve heard many ask, “Why didn’t the police do something?”  After sitting with this young police officer today, I began to understand the total helplessness they must have felt.    h

 We collected our two volunteers, Arolyn and Kristine, and headed back to the Center.  We spent some time going over the guidelines and training materials and preparing them for working in the Center and for going out on the streets to meet the people covering this story. It was a wonderful time of sharing and preparation and I am thankful the Lord has again provided such good help for us.

Yesterday I was interviewed for an article in the Seattle Times. Today we gave permission for an article in Assist News (an internet publication) which goes to about 3000 individuals and Christian organizations.  I have had inquiries from two other national outlets also.  We are praying that if the Lord would have these done, that He will reveal it by their interest and decision.

I continue to receive phone calls from newsmen who are either presently covering the story or are on the way to this area and want to meet.  We are praying about how long the Support Center outreach should continue here in Baton Rouge. 

Please pray for us for wisdom in the use of time; for discernment as to the hearts of those with whom we visit; for wisdom in planning; and for funding to carry on with this.  Pray with compassion for the thousands who are grieving.

I am so thankful for you and your prayers.
In Him,

Pastor Bob

#6   Remembering 9/11

Sunday, September 11, 2005

This morning we listened to everyone talk about the comparison between 9/11/2001 and the hurricane. 

Although both were disasters that affected thousands in some ways there is not a way to compare them.   2001 was an attack by a foreign enemy, planned for years, while effective, no where near what they had planned; this is a natural disaster complicated by human error. 

The first was contained to 16 to 20 square miles - a few blocks in the center of NYC; the second devastated four states and more than 70 miles along the southern coast of our country. I do not know the numbers, but one broadcaster mentioned 90,000 square miles of devastation.

One hit in the arena of the wealthy of our country and the other hit in the bastion of poverty.  One we doled out millions to individuals who for the most part already were well to do; and this one that affects over 100,000 people at the poverty level.  While many have been critical of those not leaving the area, time and time again I was told: "I would have left, but I had no transportation (no gas or no money to eat out).  The buses were not adequate for those wanting to leave.

One tells the story of death, suffering and trauma in the city; met by unbelievable heroism, fast action and an outpouring of support.  The other also tells of death and trauma of the people, but met by confusion, delay and inaction.  Rather than being known for heroism, it is marked more by scenes of the cruelty of their fellow man.  The hardest thing to fathom was the hurt caused by the looters and snipers and gangs who were raping, pillaging and destroying at random.

In those first days some of the most heroic were the reporters and news crews who stayed on location in spite of unbelievable hardships and danger. We learned about the terror through their eyes and their emotion filled voices and empathized with their feelings of helplessness. 

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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BECOME NORMAL?

This morning I had coffee with a man about 60 years of age who lived east of New Orleans.  Our conversation shows the complexity of what they are facing. He said they were so fortunate because he and his wife were able to get out ahead of the hurricane. Thankfully they lost no one in their family.  He spoke first with hope about rebuilding and getting back to normal, but the enormous task ahead of them was discouraging and frustrating.

He spoke about how their lives would be changed. He didn’t know if any of their neighbors would come back.  He did not know for sure where they would go or what they would do during the rebuilding.  The overwhelming decisions and actions that face him are just beginning to become real. 

He talked about going back home and how they would have to gut the house and leave it for at least six months to dry out.  They will have to redo everything in the house and around it and that could take another six months. 

I asked him where they would live during that yea and he thought either in an apartment or a trailer. 

How do you find 100,000 places for people to live in a short time?  There were almost 500,000 people who had to leave because of the storm.  No one knows yet how many will have homes that they can go back into in the near future.  Their lives have been turned upside down and most will never be the same.

#7  Recap of Nine Days with Media Support

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  h Sharing the stories of people we met  h