By Message Staff
MCCOMB, Miss. (LBM) – Sue White was on the verge of tears when a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team showed up to remove trees that fell on her yard in McComb, Mississippi, after a tornado touched down April 22.
Twenty-five disaster relief volunteers worked tirelessly for several days clearing the heavy debris left by the storm, and they left such a lasting impression that White felt compelled to mail in a $1,000 check as a gift of appreciation. In her letter to Louisiana Baptists, the 92-year-old White said the team was a gift from God and that she was thankful for their selfless acts of love.
“I shall always remember how hard those people worked,” White wrote. “May God bless you as you continue to help other people.”
Gibbie McMillan, state disaster relief coordinator for Louisiana Baptists, said disaster relief does not require nor ask for donations for work completed by teams. However, he said they accepted the gift for the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering because White wanted the money to help others in future disasters.
“We don’t do it for the money,” McMillan said. “We do it because there is a need and we are there to show Jesus to others who are needing Him at that moment. I am thankful that she was so moved and touched by our work that she wanted to bless others in the future.”
John Hebert, missions and ministry team director for Louisiana Baptists, added that the gift will help further the Gospel through ministries supported by Georgia Barnette funds.
“It’s always a blessing when someone thinks enough about our ministry that we are doing in the state and we appreciate her generosity,” Hebert said. “She is sharing the love of Christ back to us and we appreciate it.”
