With our fast-moving news cycles, it might seem like Hurricane Ida happened a long time ago and is no longer a problem. However, many of the people in the storm’s path are still suffering. Some parts of Louisiana were flooded or without power for weeks, and recovery from the extensive wind and water damage will continue for many months. When the headlines go away and the nation’s attention turns elsewhere, that’s when the real work begins, and when people like you can have the biggest impact.
So, how can you help those who have been affected by Hurricane Ida?
Pray
God’s Word tells us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). Here are a few ways you can pray specifically for people impacted by Ida:
- Pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones as a result of the storm.
- Pray that those who have lost homes or material belongings would have what they need, and pray that we all will be reminded not to put our trust in temporary “treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19-21).
- Pray for Texas Baptist Men (TBM), a disaster relief group that has deployed a mass feeding kitchen, shower units, and chainsaw teams to serve in Louisiana. They will be serving 30,000 meals a day while helping to clear streets and clean out damaged homes and buildings. Pray that there are no delays or impediments for food access and delivery, and pray for safety for the TBM workers.
- Pray that the local churches and volunteers serving would have strength and perseverance during these long days, and pray that they are able to provide hope to those in need.
Serve
A few Watermark Members have already been serving with Texas Baptist Men at their warehouse in Mesquite, helping TBM stock a truckload of cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, and water to send to Louisiana. You can join them by signing up to serve directly with TBM here.
We will also have a TBM trailer parked between the Kids Building and the West Tower on the Watermark Dallas campus from October 3 to October 10. You can bring items you want to donate during that week, and they will be loaded on the trailer for transport to Louisiana. Check here to see what times you can drop off donations each day.
Here is a list of supplies they are requesting for donation:
- Paper goods: paper plates, plastic cups, plastic eating utensils, paper towels, and toilet paper
- Laundry supplies: laundry detergent, bleach, and dryer sheets
- Cleaning supplies: sponges, rubber gloves, and disinfectant spray
- Tools and equipment: square-point shovels, rakes, work gloves (L or XL), trash bags (construction or contractor type), and small generators
- Bottled water and bottled Gatorade
- Diapers (infant or adult-sized) and baby wipes
- Gift cards to Home Depot or Walmart (for families affected by the storm)
Give
You can financially support disaster relief efforts by giving to Watermark’s Disaster Relief Fund. All resources given to this fund are used to support trusted, like-minded partners and churches in areas affected by natural disasters and to deploy teams for relief efforts. You can learn more about how this fund works and how you can help with disaster relief here.
Thank you for the ways you give, serve, and pray for people affected by disasters like Hurricane Ida. Together, we can be the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:25-27) as we love our neighbors in need (Galatians 5:14).
