By Baptist Message Staff
LONGVILLE, La. (LBM) – Taylor Moses and her family were still trying to pick up the pieces from the damage Hurricane Laura caused to their home and barn in Longville when fellow LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry members arrived on Saturday, with chainsaws and Christ’s love.
A few hours later, the team helped clear debris and gave the family much needed encouragement to press forward.
“For years, I’ve been going with (campus BCM director) Steve (Masters), the BCM and churches to do disaster relief but I never thought I would have to do it on my own home,” Moses told the Baptist Message. “They showed me and my family what an active faith looks like, and have done what would’ve taken us days if not weeks to finish by ourselves. I couldn’t be more grateful for them and their servant hearted mindset.”
More than 70 LSU BCM students and 15 adult volunteers from Istrouma Baptist Church, Progression Church, Living Hope Church, Renew Church, Woodlawn Baptist Church and Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge on Saturday removed trees and debris from nine different homes in Lake Charles, Longville and Moss Bluff. The team included 15 international students from seven countries.
“They spent the day working hard helping others while remaining energetic and flexible,” Masters said. “They worked very well together and represented Christ in a great way.”
The team plans to return for several more Saturdays in the fall to work on additional damaged homes in southwest Louisiana.
Masters, who has been involved in responses to 10 states and Puerto Rico, said this was the most horrific.
“It is the most widespread tree damage I have ever seen,” he noted. “The damage to roofs will cause water damage from rains, and the wind damaged structures, walls and beams. There is a tremendous need for our SBC churches to organize chainsaw teams, mud out teams and rebuilding teams to help with those who had damage from Hurricane Laura.”
