By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
MONTEGUT, La. (LBM) – Bernice Billiot was left hopeless after Hurricane Ida destroyed her house on the Pointe-au-Chien Indian reservation, Aug. 29, 2021.
But in March, volunteers from Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, Blessed Assurance Ministries (relief arm comprised of members from First Baptist Church, Covington), and Christian Public Service (agency of the Church of God in Christ Mennonites) came alongside Billiot and renewed her spirit by rebuilding her home. Billiot is the first of many who Louisiana Baptists plan to help through a lengthy reconstruction effort on the reservation.
“I can’t express how much all the help has given me in moving forward,” Billiot told the Baptist Message. “I would still be living in my camper if it had not been for these people. It’s awesome the love they have shown to me and the others living in my town.”
Of the 92 homes in the community, 78 were destroyed by Ida, a Category 4 storm (maximum sustained winds of 150 mph).
Marvin and Debbie Savoie, former International Mission Board Missionaries who now are members of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, were appointed in November to oversee the rebuild project. They knew restoring the Live Oak Baptist Church worship center, education space and parsonage would be key to giving visibility to God’s presence in the community, and to establish a base of operations to share His love with the people.
In March, a team from First Baptist Church, Vidor, Texas, began renovating the church and parsonage (which both sustained damage from Ida) while volunteers from the Christian Public Service, Blessed Assurance Ministries and the Savoies worked on Billiot’s home.
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH
While the construction was taking place, the Holy Spirit began to move at Live Oak Baptist. Worship attendance increased, from 20 in March to 40-50 in July. A highlight took place during a July 9 service, when Willis Naquin, one of the church’s two interim pastors, baptized three individuals – the first baptisms in four years for the congregation.
Marvin Savoie said the restoration of the church and parsonage combined with the rebuild of Billiot’s home has reignited a passion for Jesus and a love for the community among church members.
“There is a resurgence of faith,” he said. “Nothing tells the Gospel better than baptism and there were many attendees at the service who do not know the Lord.”
BUILDING TRUST
Additionally, the work also is building trust between the Native Americans and Louisiana Baptists, as well as the other volunteers.
“These are a resilient people, and they are not going to leave the area,” Marvin Savoie said. “Right now, they just want their homes rebuilt and the work here is giving them hope. When they see people working on homes, it’s a blessing and a breath of fresh air.”
Over the next few months, additional teams are needed to continue the rebuild. Teams from FBC Lafayette and Sandhill Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, are scheduled to come and work on two homes.
Beyond that, no other teams are scheduled. Marvin Savoie said his prayer is that additional mission teams will come and be a part of the effort. The parsonage is equipped with enough beds to house 28 people, a full kitchen and two washers and dryers.
“We didn’t know where Pointe-au-Chien was,” Marvin Savoie said. “When we came here, we saw the devastation and our hearts bled for the people of the community.
“We tried to minister to them when we were out and about,” he continued. “We shared the love of Jesus and assured them that hope was coming. Without hope, this community would die. Please pray that God would send additional teams and help us give these people a great hope.”
For more information, contact Marvin Savoie, 318.955.8242. To donate, visit louisianabaptist.org/ disasterrelief.
