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Disaster Relief Task Force Sends Work Crew

New Orleans, Sunday October 2, 2005

On October 2 nd a team of four men from Immanuel’s church went to Metarie, LA (just outside of New Orleans) to minister to the hurt and needy in the hurricane-ravaged area. Our host church, Victory Fellowship, had become a relief center for the New Orleans Community. We arrived with chain saws, a generator, combo tool sets and the Word of God. We were met by a host of other volunteers from faith-based groups who were there from a variety of states including Alaska, California, Ohio and Virginia. It is amazing what God can do with men when egos are set aside and all work together to the Glory of God.

The Church Gym had become a food warehouse to serve the community. Truckloads of non-perishable goods arrived regularly with loaded pallets that must be unloaded, staged and prepared (boxed) for distribution. There was a near continuous line of cars at the outgoing door with needy people seeking water, food, cleaning supplies etc. We spent many long evening hours unloading, staging and preparing goods for next day distribution. Upwards of 1500 food boxes were prepared daily for distribution. The major thrust of our work however, was ministering to the people of New Orleans. In the mornings we would leave a skeleton crew at the warehouse to distribute water and food boxes and manage the inflow of warehouse goods. The remainder of the small army of volunteers would go into New Orleans where we set up a ministering stage for the Praise Team, tables and chairs for the hungry, a truck load of non-perishable food and water to give to anyone who asked. We met with people of the community, removed trees from their yards, put tarps on their roofs, and removed damaged furniture from their homes. We worked shoulder to shoulder to meet their need.

At 11:30 a.m. our hot food truck would arrive and we began to feed the hungry – not just with food but with words of comfort and to plant the seeds that will one day become a rich harvest for the kingdom. For many New Orleans citizens this was there first hours returning to the city. This may be the Church’s finest hour. We were feeding hot ribs and beans when the Red Cross had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Many hurting people were ministered to and gave their lives to Christ. The people needs of the New Orleans community and the Gulf Coast region in general are staggering. Many have lost everything and are struggling to find their way. I am pleased to say that the church is shining bright in showing the love of Christ to the community.

We will be sponsoring other teams to this region. As our plans become firm we will advise you via this web site. Continue to pray that God will provide vision and resources for this work

Oscar L. Avant, Pastor Immanuel’s Church — Silver Spring, MD 20905.