I SAW JESUS IN SULPHUR, LOUISIANA LAST WEEK Dr. Joe Pettigrew
As I watch the news today, my heart is once again heavy for all the people effected by the most recent hurricane. I am humbled by how much people can take and still come back fighting.
Last week I spent several days in Sulphur, Louisiana which was one of the areas hit the hardest by hurricane Laura. Having visited with people from Louisiana before when hurricane Rita leveled the easter part of the state, I arrived with what I perceived to be an idea of what I would see. It was much worst than what I expected. A level five hurricane hit this beautiful little town and the aftermath is incredible. As I looked around I saw many locals helping each other, but what I didn’t see were the massive support agencies that I have seen during other disasters. Not saying they weren’t there, but they were not as visible as in the past.
What I did see is a group of people, most that still had their faith in Jesus in tact, fighting for their lives. Everyone needs a little help sometimes. After all, no one is meant to go through life alone. Most had no electricity and had not had any for over 13 days. The restaurants were closed as were most of the stores due to no electricity. You couldn’t drink the contaminated water and people had no money. I was told it would be as long as 6 months before they would have electricity fully restored.
In the midst of all this, I did see several national corporations and businesses bringing in supplies in well marked trucks. Almost everyone working had shirts on to identify their agency or company. But what happened on the final night before we left, blew me away.
A very large unmarked truck pulled into the church parking lot we were using to sleep. It pulled up to the large storage building the church was using to give away supplies and food to those that had none. When it opened the rear door, I saw thousands and thousands of dollars worth of food, diapers, air-conditioners, fans and baby supplies. It was amazing. When they were finished unloading the shelter was full and smiles were all around.
I went over to the truck where four young men had been unloading and asked where they were from. Their answer was great. “It doesn’t matter where we are from, Jesus sent these supplies.” As far as I know, no one never found out exactly where they were from. Many suspected a large church, but never knew for sure. These men were servants looking for one thing: to be the feet of Jesus in a hurting world. They wanted no recognition or praise. Their organization wanted no recognition either. All they wanted was to give to people that were in need. All they wanted was to show people a little glimps of Jesus.
As the truck was pulling out, I couldn’t help but to remember Matthew 6:1. It made me tear up to see Jesus so alive in the midst of it all.
Yep, believe it or not, I saw Jesus in Sulphur, Louisiana last week.