Christian ministries have been sending help to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida hit the south and destroyed several cities and states.
The Category 4 hurricane, considered as a sister hurricane to Katrina in 2005, flooded inland neighborhoods in a short amount of time, cut power supply of millions, and damaged buildings and churches across states. As of September 8, at least 17 people died in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama because of Ida, reports Premier Christian News.
In their generosity, K-LOVE listeners raised their hands and chose to make a tangible difference in the lives of disaster survivors. —Ethan Forhetz, vice president of public engagement at Convoy of Hope
Despite the wreckage Hurricane Ida brought, Christian ministries are teaming up to provide comfort and basic needs to the survivors.
World Vision has prepared and sent truckloads of supplies to Louisiana while Convoy of Hope, a faith-based disaster relief organization, has filled 19 tractor-trailers with food, baby care kits and other emergency supplies to help the victims of the storm.
“It was a major catastrophic storm, and many people are trapped in broken up and damaged infrastructure everywhere,” Ethan Forhetz, the vice president of public engagement for Convoy of Hope. “It’s heartbreaking. When you are part of Convoy of Hope efforts, oftentimes, you see people on the worst day of their lives, in a helpless and hopeless state. And you realize how important little things are, such as food and water.”
K-LOVE, one of the largest Christian radio stations in the U.S., have raised millions of dollars to help survivors of Hurricane Ida. The station partnered with Convoy of Hope to ask for financial contributions. K-LOVE committed 20 hours of airtime to encourage listeners to donate and support families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
“In their generosity, K-LOVE listeners raised their hands and chose to make a tangible difference in the lives of disaster survivors,” says Ethan Forhetz, vice president of public engagement at Convoy of Hope, in a press release. “K-LOVE put the full force of their network behind Convoy of Hope in order to deploy kindness.”
The campaign raised nearly $3.5 million, which provided more than 400 trucks of supplies to the affected states. “We know that many people are feeling overwhelmed right now,” said Bill Reeves, CEO at K-LOVE. “They see the devastation and want to help. We are grateful to Convoy of Hope for the work they are doing and for the opportunity they created for our audiences to take part.”
Meantime, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of Missions John Hebert revealed that at least 80 Southern Baptist churches in Louisiana were ruined by the storm.
“We have churches ranging from desperate to recovering, and the desperate ones need help,” Hebert said. “Insurance rates are out of this world. It’s going to be tough for them…But most of our churches will be okay in the long run. It’s just right now, we have a crisis at hand and we need all the help we can get.”
Christians are encouraged to pray for the victims of Hurricane Ida. While ministries are doing their best to serve the survivors, prayers are needed and much welcomed.
