FLINT, Texas—Volunteers with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief (SBTC DR) arrived Wednesday, Aug. 17, in Louisiana to help flood victims in what is being called the worst natural disaster in America since Superstorm Sandy.
A team of 12 volunteers and three mobile units left from Flint Baptist Church in Flint Wednesday morning. The crew will be working in Lafayette, La., and by Friday will begin cooking meals for flood victims.
“They’re expecting us to furnish10,000 meals a day once we get set up,” said feeding unit director Ralph Britt of Bullard. “And (the meals) will go to shelters and different places where people are dislocated.”
Volunteers see this as an opportunity to serve others. “Since God has given me so much in my life and blessed me in so many different ways, I want to be able to turn around and help others anyway I can,” explained Cheryl Padilla of Tyler.
After the water recedes, chainsaw and mudout teams will be deployed to help homeowners who have received flood damage get ready for rebuild.
Meanwhile, at First Baptist Kountze, a laundry unit was deployed to Lafayette. The unit will be used to clean and dry clothes of flood victims, relief workers and first responders.
“We think it’s a great opportunity for our church to get involved and to help both physically and spiritually to minister to the needs of the people,” said Daniel White, pastor of FBC Kountze and Ministry Facilitator for SBTC Disaster Relief.
SBTC Disaster Relief expects to have volunteers on the ground in Lafayette for several weeks. To volunteer or donate, visit http://sbtexas.com/evangelism/disaster-relief/how-to-help.