Baton Rouge

[zyzyly]

I had to go to Wall Mart this evening to get some stuff for tomorrow. I hate going to Wall Mart. It is alway so crowded and loud, and I always seem to be in danger of being run over by a crazed woman with a shopping cart full of stuff. It occurred to me, though, that what I am going into is probably going to make Wall Mart seem like a retreat center.

When I got home, one of my red cross buddies (i think it is so cool that I have red cross buddies) called and told me that our team's plans had been changed as of 9 pm. We are now going to Baton Rouge to set up a new shelter in an old Wall Mart. I would so love to have God's sense of humor. It is too late to change our flight reservations, so we are going to try and meet up in Houston and figure out how to get to Baton Rouge from there.

I have been a little anxious about this trip all day. Part of it is just reading the stories of what these people are going through. How do I comfort them after the horrors they have experienced?

The other part is just fear of the unknown--not knowing what I am walking into, and wondering if I can do what is needed.

I got to talk to a friend tonight, and she reminded me that my life experiences have been preparing me for this for a long time. I felt better after that, and much less anxious. I am so blessed.

This will probably be my last post for a few weeks, but I might try a phone post after I am settled.

Thank you for all your good wishes and support. I will carry them with me, and make sure the people put in my care know that there are people like you out there who care deeply about them.

Comments

[pumpkin-pie-m.livejournal.com]

I have a friend that has been personally affected by Katrina. I do know that nurses are terribly needed.

Thank you for giving of yourself. Thank you for going to help.

Be safe.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

yeah, i don't think I will be able to charge my phone, and text is the best way to preserve battery life.

I will see what the situation is. red cross says they have debit cards to give people, so they can meet their needs.

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

I have good friends in BR. One is a massage therapist and one of my Reiki students. If you'd like her contact info let me know.

You'll only be a few hours south of me there; we'll be thinking about you every day.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I would like to know at least someone there, if, for nothing else, to be able to ask directions or something. can you email me the info at myasma@aol.com?

thanks!

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

Your wish is my command, Sahib.

[starlitediner.livejournal.com]

you are so inspiring. good luck and strength as you go off to help.

lucy *

[gracegiver]

I'm praying for you Mike. Faith-filled and love-filled prayers. I'm sooo excited!

[theodicy.livejournal.com]

Mike, we have tons of good quality used clothes that we'd like to send, but we're not sure if getting bags o'stuff would be a burden to rescue/refuge workers or not. If you can confirm, etc., or get a message out, I'm sure it'd be useful to a lot of folks.

IF you can.

[apis-cerana.livejournal.com]

Thank you so, so much for helping our brothers and sisters down south! I will pray for you.

< 3 Stay safe and dry, please.

[glaineacht.livejournal.com]

thank you.

be safe.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

i hope the way from houston to baton rouge turns out to be easy for you. best wishes, mike. (i think your friend was very right about your preparation for this.)

[jmhm.livejournal.com]

if you have time and you'd be OK with it, I'd love to post your observations once you get there.

[detroitfather.livejournal.com]

We are now going to Baton Rouge to set up a new shelter in an old Wall Mart. I would so love to have God's sense of humor.

This kind of thing is great. It assures us that God has not fallen asleep at the wheel. I love when He messes with us that way.

[bravencrazy.livejournal.com]

Good luck, and bless you for what you are doing!

[niquildrvr.livejournal.com]

I'll be passing on an idea of you to my mother and grandmother, who are a wee bit west of Baton Rouge. We'll all be praying for you, the other volunteers, and for those you are helping. God speed and God bless.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

I am so proud of you, and in some way excited for you in the midst of all this awfulness. I agree with your friend, you really have been built for this. I can't think of many people better equipped. You will know how to comfort people and if you run out of ideas, pray. I'll be praying for you. G*d bless you and keep you safe.

[wantedonvoyage.livejournal.com]

May God be with you as you do this work.

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

God speed!

[blakeh.livejournal.com]

Good luck and God bless.

[fried-pearl.livejournal.com]

We lived in Baton Rouge before moving to Atlanta. I have a friend in Port Allen who says power is still out in places in BR, and there are many, many evacuees in the area. There is great need there. Thank you. God bless you on your journey.

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

How do I comfort them after the horrors they have experienced?

I think you'll find a way. All I know is from text, but it seems you have a calm, thoughtful presence.

[errantpenny.livejournal.com]

How do I comfort them after the horrors they have experienced?

I would ask my mother for her insight on this, but we had one of our occasional spats yesterday and have not yet patched things up. :0

Your anxiety is understandable, but I have no doubt that you have the skills and qualities needed to comfort and help the people you'll encounter: medicine and expert care for their physical ills, deep empathy for all the rest.

[ldygwynedd.livejournal.com]

-MIke,

When you get there, and if you find there is something you are desparately short of or could really use, and if you think I could help you get it, let me know.

I'll do my best to get it to you.

Jean

[buonaventura.livejournal.com]

i second that....

also, if you need a place to pray, i've heard some good things about the Catholic center at lsu...

[ms-priestypants.livejournal.com]

I will keep you in my prayers, and in my community's prayers, for this incredibly brave and Christ like thing that you are doing. You are living the Gospel in ways that I can't imagine, and I'm very unpatronizingly proud.

[annabellissima.livejournal.com]

We are now going to Baton Rouge to set up a new shelter in an old Walmart [sic].

This is prolly the closest that Walmart will ever come to social justice ;)

[annabellissima.livejournal.com]

God be with you, God be beside you, behind you and all around you.

I will be praying for you, are still praying for all, and just plain praying.

God bless and thank you to those souls who have the freedom to help in this way.

[worldcomrade.livejournal.com]

Sending blessings and an extra package of hope. Take care of yourself too.

[tinyprayers.livejournal.com]

I saw a bumpersticker in Maine once that said "MALL-WART: Your source for cheap plastic crap!"

God go with you, Mike.