Hands On: Katrina relief testimonies - 19 Sep 2005
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24-7 USA continues to work among Katrina survivors in Houston alongside a handful of ministries giving support and service to the displaced. New testimonies continue to arise from the scene, illuminating the kind intentions of God towards the people. | |
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An excerpt from the group's Katrina relief blog:
“…Sumiko Owens, one of the survivors who was staying at the PowerHouse Christian Center, wanted me to help her find her mother Sharon Karriem, whom she had not heard from since the storm. So I looked for her mom and found an address for her, but I couldn't call her because most Louisiana phone numbers were wiped out. But her mother DID have an email address, so I emailed her to let her know that her daughter was alive and well, staying in the PowerHouse Christian Center.
Shortly thereafter, an email was received from Sumiko’s mother:“…thank you so very much for contacting me regarding Sumiko....I feel soooooooooo BLESSED...I may have lost my home and my business, but God has spared my family (mother, father, brothers, sisters, son and now both of my daughters)....God is truly an AWESOME God....
I have really been concerned about Sumiko.... but I never gave up hope, I just kept praying with ceasing.... And God has answered each one of my prayers....Again, thank you for letting me know about Miko, I just called the church and they are going to give her the number to where I can be reached. May God continue to pour out his blessings on you...” Sharon M. Karriem | ||
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With the team in Houston is Mary Arndt. Mary is a nurse in Kansas City, MO and has been serving in makeshift clinics on site.
Selected from Mary Arndt’s blog entry:
"Most patients that came in had the Norovirus which was breaking out in the astrodome. I would get their vital signs, settle them in, and ask them if I could pray for them.
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As I did this, I saw patients that were dry-heaving, having major loose stools, and sobbing be calmed down completely. | ||
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One woman had been having severe diarrhea for three days and after I prayed for her, she had a formed stool and was able to go to the Astrodome to be with her family. Awesome!
Another man who came in had been manning a boat and helping take people to a bridge. He was sobbing and dry-heaving, but as I prayed for him he calmed down extremely. He began to tell me his traumatizing story and how he has been awakened by nightmares of women and children drowning and screaming for help. He said he had not slept in five nights.
I asked if he felt like God had been near or if he felt like God had turned his back on him. He said, "not turned His back on me, but not near." As I prayed for him, I just asked God would draw near, touch his body, and let him rest. Let him sleep, calm his stomach and let him really just rest. After I started an IV and prayed for him, I left him. A couple hours later he was sound asleep in the noisy clinic. Seriously, God is awesome!"
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