We tried to return home today, but ran into a couple of problems, namely our oldest daughter is now pukin her guts out. We left the Partins at 2:30 pm, and she lost her lunch at 2:40 pm. We promptly pulled into a convenience store parking lot and began the clean-up process when a gentleman asked me if we were headed back south. I said yes, and he replied you might want to wait. Apparently traffic was backed up on our route quite a ways and he said it would probably take several hours. We asked around about other routes, but they were either really backed up or completely blocked off. So, we returned to the Partins. Now, my wife is telling me she's not doing so well. It seems there's a virus going around that makes you feel like dying for 24 hours. We'll head home as soon as our stomachs can take it.

We've been watching the news of the hurricane all morning. Our house is without power and the city's waste water treatment facility has been damaged. Deana's parents, who weathered the storm in Richmond, slept through the whole thing. They have electricity. Our friends have been absolutely amazing here in Waco. I've been praying for all of you from our church family. Let us know how you're doing.

Talking about faith

I really enjoyed our high school small group time last night. The group had a lot of good things to say. We were talking about faith, what it looks like, what it's not, how to have a genuine faith. Questions were asked and they had great things to say. We talked about faith and disappointment. Talking about Job and his sorrow we learned that faith allows us to express our sorrow, hurt, anger and disappointment, but yet when we have faith we ultimately acknowledge that God is in control. It doesn't take away the pain and hurt, but it changes how it's expressed in our lives. I really thought it was a great night. I pray for more times when we can talk honestly and evaluate our lives. I love it when students let go, get real and allow God's word to shape them.

As I was reading last night, the following excerpt from Eugene Peterson's Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places caused me to pause and reflect on my life. I thought I'd share it with you today.

"God's great love and purposes for us are all worked out in messes in our kitchens and backyards, in storms and sins, blue skies, the daily work and dreams of our common lives. God works with us as we are and not as we should be or think we should be. God deals with us where we are and not where we would like to be"

I don't do this often, but I need to vent a little. My mom needs some medical care, but she can't get it because she cannot afford the tests. She has no insurance and lives near the poverty line for all practical purposes. I have been looking into options to help her, but the frustrating thing is that she doesn't qualify for anything. They won't classify her as disabled because her medications keep her stable (She has paranoid schizzophrenia). But at the same time, she has no job skills because this mental disorder has taken its toll on her over the years. She's divorced living alone in Abilene but her church, and my aunt do an amazing job taking care of her.

As I read about mental healthcare I have come to understand that it just sucks in Texas. I completely understand how someone can end up in poverty and on the street to no fault of their own. All it takes is a major medical crisis and no family or friends to help financially. I praise God for my mom's church family and my aunt, but I'm frustrated as I research ways to help her get the help she needs without it sending her into bankruptcy. (Which we did look into that at one time, but it cost almost as much to file as the debt it was supposed to eliminate.) She does all she can and is an amazing woman given all she's been through. But she needs help. So, there is my frustration. No one wants to help someone in her situation because she can't pay. It doesn't seem right to me that honest people have to suffer like this. I just had to vent that tonight. Please keep her in your prayers and my family. We want to honor God and my mom by doing all we can to help.

Can you hear me now?

"Can you hear me now? Good"

I've read story after story of conversation after conversation with hurricane victims. I've read post after post of someone's reflections on stories they have heard in the past 10 days. I have even sat down and listened to a couple of stories from people in need from the hurricane. I'm thankful that I've been able to help in some small way. I'm glad to listen to their stories. Many of them inspire me, especially those who have a sense of hope. Others make me weep. But as I have listened to a few stories I have come to realize that there are many others around me who have a story to tell. There are many around me who I see daily who have something to say, or a need to be met. They may not have tried to speak words to me, but I have seen they're words spoken in their eyes. I have seen it in their body language. Their faces give them away. A few have even spoken words hinting of their need. Some may have had physical needs, but most are hurting in much deeper, more profound ways. Yet, they are going largely ignored. I pray that we will take the time today to look for those people just like we look for those displaced by the hurricane. I pray that we put our agendas aside and take time to truly listen to the heart of another, to respond out of genuine love, and strive to meet a need.

I remember driving home one evening in February after one of my high school basketball games. The roads had been extremely icey and we all drove about 25 mph. Suddenly I doing circles and end up in the ditch. For about 25 seconds I was completely helpless. There was nothing I could do except pray that I didn't cross the other lane. When those moments happen even the most skilled drivers can only just hope for the best. I remember that feeling even today. It's frustrating and even fearful when you have absolutely no control.

Last night, evacuees staying in our shelters in Baytown were abruptly ordered to leave the shelters by the American Red Cross and go to the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston. No warning or words of preparation were given. I don't fault the Red Cross because this type of work is unprecendented for them. I just wish there was a way to ease the pain of all of this for them. They face so many changes, that even the last minute announcement of a relocation can be disastrous emotionally. Some of their children just began school while others were preparing to on Tuesday. Now they have to start all over. It made me realize what little control these people have over their lives. They can't even choose where to lay their heads at night. As I know you are doing, please continue to pray for people.

hard to describe

Overwhelmed, frustrated, despair, helpless... just a few words that express what I've felt the past 4 days watching people stream into our community. The worst thing I can do is do nothing. It's so difficult to even consider simply going about my everyday routine when there are so many who need so much. It's so tempting to do nothing because I'm not always sure what to do or how to help. Yet, there's so much. From folding clothes to sacrificing some things so that money can be given, there's much that can be done. Now's the time to put into practice what I profess to believe -- that God so loved the world... to love my neighbor... to live out the gospel... to extend a hand and offer hope.

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” - Mother Teresa

More ways to help

For those of you in the Baytown area, if you can spare an hour or so tonight to help with the disaster relief efforts here in town here are two ways that I know of.

First, due to sharp increases in gas prices and an increase in the number of people in this area we are expecting an unusually large crowd in our pantry tonight. Come ready to help in the pantry from 5-6:30 pm if at all possible. If you can, please call the church office ahead of time at 281-427-0459.

Second, the New Horizon Women's Center is in desperate need of volunteers to help with clothing at their thrift store on 1011 W. Texas Ave (across from Sterling Municipal Library). They are open every day until through Monday from 8 am-8 pm. In the thrift shop's director's words "if you've got even 10 minutes, please come." You do not need to call ahead. They need people to sort clothes.

If you are trying to find clothes for hurricane victims, there are two ways to do this. Hurricane victims may receive a voucher to go to the thrift store from the American Red Cross at the shelters, or show up at the thrift store with some form of LA i.d. like a driver's license or fishing license. If you would like more information contact Marcella at 281-427-7418.

Ways to help

Yesterday as I payed my utlity bill, which is next to the Baytown Community Center where nearly 500 people currently reside, I noticed many people in the park. On most week days this park would be empty, but not today. Families were playing on the play ground and sitting at picnic tables, on park benches, some were playing basketball. Driving through it really struck me for the first time that for most of these people their lives will never be the same. Although I haven't seen the destruction of their homes, businesses and livelihood I have witnessed the aftermath in their faces. Please pray. Below is an email I received with some ways you can help. Prayerfully consider some of these things.

Astro level ministry at the AstroDome

The Southwest Central church has begun planning for ministry to the 25,000 refugees scheduled to begin arriving at the Houston Astrodome today. We already have members coordinating with the Red Cross, FEMA, the medical community, etc. We also want to coordinate this effort with all of the churches, especially West University and South Union who along with us make up the three closest congregations. Konny Cross will be the contact person for all donations (time, money, supplies). So, you may direct inquiries to her at 713-721-5710 or KonnyCross@aol.com. Konny will also be contacting local Churches of Christ.

Angella Dickson will be handling all national relief effort from FEMA, Red Cross, etc. So, if you hear from any national/federal disaster programs, you may direct their inquiries to Angella at: (713-354-2634); adickson@camdenliving.com

Lifeline Chaplaincy's efforts with Katrina relief

Following is a word from Lifeline Chaplaincy that we alsoreceived just moments ago. MoSt helps support financiallyeach month; they are a part of our regular missions budget.

Like many other relief agencies Lifeline Chaplaincy is receiving requests for assistance for refugees from New Orleans. More specifically Lifeline is being inundated with appeals from Houston's Texas Medical Center Social Workers for specific assistance (particularly hotel stays, parking and meals) for more than 200 seriously ill patients being transferred (many are being Life Flighted) from New Orleans to Texas Medical Center hospitals (Texas Children's, Methodist, Hermann, etc).

It will take more than $40,000 just to meet the requests we have received thus far, and we expect to receive more requests as the days go by. Our funds are not sufficient to respond to these tremendous needs, but emergency needs like this don't provide the luxury of time to launch a fund-raising campaign. We are committed to doing all we can to respond generously to these urgent requests for housing and other needs.

So we are asking you to please send immediate financial assistance. We assure you that our Compassionate Touch program is uniquely qualified to meet the specific needs of these patients and their destitute families. We are accustomed to dealing with these needs, although usually on a more measured basis. We assure you that your funds will go directly to those in greatest need, those being brought to Houston with no other place to go, and those with no homes to return to anytime soon.

Funds should be sent to:

Lifeline Chaplaincy 1415 Southmore Blvd. Houston, TX 77004

Or you may donate through Lifeline's website athttp://www.lifelinechaplaincy.org (look for the "MakeA Donation" link).

If you wish to speak to Lifeline Chaplaincy directly, pleasecall Rosa Winfrey, Director of Compassionate Touch,Dr. Carson Stephens, or Dr. Virgil Fry @ (713) 524-1055or toll-free (888) 767-6363.

Impact relief ministry

Impact is turning its building into a focal point for supplies. Many people want to give, but don't know how to get those supplies to the ones who need them. We can provide that.

What we are doing: 1) Staying in touch with shelters and finding out what the needs are, 2) Passing that information on to anyone wanting to donate, 3) Gathering all those donated supplies and taking them where they are needed, 4) Claiming the heritage and reputation of the body of Christ as caretakers and comforters.

We are planning a work trip to do relief work in the Pass Christian, MS. That trip is tentatively scheduled for the end of September. That depends on several factors. If you would like to contribute, the office number at the church is 713-864-5667 and our website address is: www.impacthouston.org

Thank you and God bless.

In Christ, Wesley J. Fikes