"After the Storm" by Tracy Whiteside, PCC
The staff at WellSpring Counseling is serious about ministry! On February 24th, three of our counselors left for the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast to give 13 days of their time. Mary Rose Hamparian, Nina Helene, and Lynn King answered the call to help their brothers and sisters in New Orleans, volunteering through the Salvation Army.
Mary Rose, Nina, and Lynn were struck by the extreme devastation they saw after six months of efforts to restore the area. The estimated $75 billion in damages is evident. Stores are not open. Electricity is not available in all areas of the city. Many New Orleans residents continue to remain homeless or unable to get supplies. Businesses have difficulty reopening because potential employees have no housing. The people in the Gulf Coast not only lost their possessions, in many cases they lost their identity.
The WellSpring staff drove through the 9th Ward giving out cold water, ice and snacks to those restoring homes. They met with people to assess for post-traumatic stress disorder and helped process their grief. They prayed and listened to the hurting, offering encouragement and support. These women truly had the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ.
If you are interested in volunteering through the Salvation Army, contact volunteer coordinator Sherah Stuckey at 504-834-3478. Rev. Willy Neudahl coordinates host churches and work crews throughout the New Orleans area.; call 504-813-2034 or 504-368-2996. Pastor Frank D. Smith, Jr. is Director of Hurricane Relief for Gulf Coast Mission Trips and can be reached at 205-661-9585.
Nina, Lynn, and Mary Rose would like to remind you to continue to lift these hurting individuals to the Lord. He is the source of their HOPE!