I already told Dave L (and asked him to tell Brad D, but, God forbid, something should happen and you guys over there get hit hard, y'all can give my cell phone number out to your members as someone with whom they can coordinate. I know that the churches down here are still today looking for "lost" members from Katrina, and if I can help lessen that somewhat the next time, I'm more than willing to serve. In the meantime, my wife and children will be heading up to my vicarage bishops house in Missouri if it heads in our direction.
We will be in prayer for you. When Katrina and Rita hit, we were still ministering in Houston. The Lord allowed us to give aid to a number of families. We know firsthand what you went through.
May the Lord be merciful to your family and your flock.
May the Spirit of God who moved upon the face of the waters have mercy on you, and may the Almighty Word, who is ever a light unto our path, keep your lands from reverting to void formlessness. Kyrie eleison!
The "G" in Gustav stands for "Get out!" I hope people will take heed and depart, promptly, if it continues to look like this. And I hope the City (or churches, or someone)will organize evacuation by bus *beforehand* instead of afterward. Right now is the time to get to work trying to save lives.
The great difficulty lies in making the judgment call to leave. It's still too early to predict the track with any accuracy, and even more difficult to predict the severity of the storm.
It is likely that we will be evacuating this time (most likely Saturday or Sunday), but not for certain. We already have another tropical storm (Hannah) in the Atlantic, and a couple of disturbances queued up behind her. This may be like the Katrina/Rita one-two punch.
In 2005, we had so many named storms, we had to start on the Greek alphabet (I think we were up to Delta!). So, we have to be careful not to stay when we should go, but we can't afford to go when we should stay.
In other words, it is impossible to evacuate every time (gas is $4 a gallon, motels are expensive - even if any are available - as of now, the closest motel rooms available are at least as far away as Memphis - the Hollywood family has a reservation in Texarcana, which is on the way to Tulsa, where we have family).
But, Gustav looks like it has a reasonable chance of becoming a very large hurricane that could either hit us directly or come close.
Obviously, please keep folks who are elderly, sick, and those who lack transportation in your prayers. It is safe to say that the government (at all levels) did learn a lot of lessons after Katrina. Even FEMA seems to be on the ball so far.
Though far from adequate, we have seen improvements in our levees and pumping stations. We have the benefit of experience and hindsight. We really need to beef up our defenses the way the Dutch have done, and we also need to restore our coastlands (they are a natural barrier to hurricanes).
So, in a few days, maybe we'll all come back home and everything will be just like we left it (like our Ivan evacuation), or, then again, we may return home to a war zone (like Katrina).
Only God knows, and we pray that if it be His will, He will spare His children.
Sounds like N.O. is much better prepared than 3 years ago.
If you get out, each of your families could see if they can offer a ride to someone else as well, who can't. Elderly, poor, whatever. (Maybe not sick, if it's contagious!)
Kyrie eleison! From every calamity of whirlwind and water, preserve and defend, gracious Lord! Be merciful, we pray, and grant refuge and safety to all in the path of this hurricane, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
I already told Dave L (and asked him to tell Brad D, but, God forbid, something should happen and you guys over there get hit hard, y'all can give my cell phone number out to your members as someone with whom they can coordinate. I know that the churches down here are still today looking for "lost" members from Katrina, and if I can help lessen that somewhat the next time, I'm more than willing to serve. In the meantime, my wife and children will be heading up to my vicarage bishops house in Missouri if it heads in our direction.
ReplyDeleteOramus pro vobis!
ReplyDeletePtr. Beane,
ReplyDeleteWe will be in prayer for you. When Katrina and Rita hit, we were still ministering in Houston. The Lord allowed us to give aid to a number of families. We know firsthand what you went through.
May the Lord be merciful to your family and your flock.
May the Spirit of God who moved upon the face of the waters have mercy on you, and may the Almighty Word, who is ever a light unto our path, keep your lands from reverting to void formlessness. Kyrie eleison!
ReplyDeleteThe "G" in Gustav stands for "Get out!" I hope people will take heed and depart, promptly, if it continues to look like this. And I hope the City (or churches, or someone)will organize evacuation by bus *beforehand* instead of afterward. Right now is the time to get to work trying to save lives.
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord have mercy upon you and upon us all.
Thank you, all of you, for all your prayers.
ReplyDeleteThe great difficulty lies in making the judgment call to leave. It's still too early to predict the track with any accuracy, and even more difficult to predict the severity of the storm.
It is likely that we will be evacuating this time (most likely Saturday or Sunday), but not for certain. We already have another tropical storm (Hannah) in the Atlantic, and a couple of disturbances queued up behind her. This may be like the Katrina/Rita one-two punch.
In 2005, we had so many named storms, we had to start on the Greek alphabet (I think we were up to Delta!). So, we have to be careful not to stay when we should go, but we can't afford to go when we should stay.
In other words, it is impossible to evacuate every time (gas is $4 a gallon, motels are expensive - even if any are available - as of now, the closest motel rooms available are at least as far away as Memphis - the Hollywood family has a reservation in Texarcana, which is on the way to Tulsa, where we have family).
But, Gustav looks like it has a reasonable chance of becoming a very large hurricane that could either hit us directly or come close.
Obviously, please keep folks who are elderly, sick, and those who lack transportation in your prayers. It is safe to say that the government (at all levels) did learn a lot of lessons after Katrina. Even FEMA seems to be on the ball so far.
Though far from adequate, we have seen improvements in our levees and pumping stations. We have the benefit of experience and hindsight. We really need to beef up our defenses the way the Dutch have done, and we also need to restore our coastlands (they are a natural barrier to hurricanes).
So, in a few days, maybe we'll all come back home and everything will be just like we left it (like our Ivan evacuation), or, then again, we may return home to a war zone (like Katrina).
Only God knows, and we pray that if it be His will, He will spare His children.
If in doubt, get out! And take as many parishoners as your car will hold. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you and your church family.
Sounds like N.O. is much better prepared than 3 years ago.
ReplyDeleteIf you get out, each of your families could see if they can offer a ride to someone else as well, who can't. Elderly, poor, whatever. (Maybe not sick, if it's contagious!)
Praying you courage, nobility, and godspeed.
We're praying for you!
ReplyDeleteour prayers go with you!
ReplyDeleteKyrie eleison!
ReplyDeleteFrom every calamity of whirlwind and water, preserve and defend, gracious Lord! Be merciful, we pray, and grant refuge and safety to all in the path of this hurricane, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Please know the McDonalds are praying for y'all!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou and all the folks in New Orleans are in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeletePr. Beane, my prayers are with you, your family, and your flock. Kyrie Eleison!
ReplyDeleteI will be leading The Great Litany tomorrow evening, and will be sure to include you by name.
His Will be Done,
Tory W. Sumrall ~ Denton, Texas