Hilltop Rescue Release on the New Camps

Dear friends,

I'd like to introduce you to a family from South Louisiana. They are Cajun by birth, with a long and rich heritage of Louisiana traditions. They are a hard working family who enjoy the blessings of good Cajun cooking and the fellowship that goes with great food, good family and faithful friends. They've seen many hurricanes come and go through the years, yet they keep rebuilding their lives each time, refusing to leave the area. They recounted that, when the twin hurricanes Katrina and Rita roared through their homes three years ago, they found hope and help from some new friends at the Maplewood Church of Christ in Sulphur, LA. As I spoke with the matriarch of this family, tears formed in her eyes and a lump caught in her throat. Even after three years she still finds it a bit difficult to talk about the wonderful young people who came to her home to muck out the filth that Rita had left behind.

For the past three years this family has continued to rebuild. not just their homes, but their entire community. This past week we all stood side by side on the muddy floor of their son's home. He had completely remodeled it, tearing out walls and replacing them with beautiful wood columns, tongue-in-groove paneling, and a solid wood kitchen bar. It was coming along beautifully when Hurricane Gustav blew into town. Amazingly, they were all kept safe as that storm blew by the coast and tore into the inland areas around Baton Rouge. This proud Cajun family sighed a big sigh of relief, praying that God's mercy was available to those who were not so lucky. And then, a week later as Hurricane Ike headed into the Gulf, they all held their breath once more. With mixed emotions they watched as Ike headed for Texas, and they once again felt like they were safe. They had no idea that Ike's sheer size would drive a wedge of water into their homes once more.

We joined Brian Spicer, the minister of Maplewood Church of Christ in neighboring Sulphur, and arrived once more to see what aid could be provided. Proud, and putting on a bold face, we heard the shake in her voice and saw the tears in her eyes as she challenged her family to rise once more to the challenge of rebuilding their lives. Hilltop Rescue has heard her challenge, and recognized that her plea is echoed throughout Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. As we begin the process of answering that call, we are praying that you also hear it. Are you willing to go into the heart of disaster, either in Louisiana or Texas? Are you ready to help change other's lives, and have your life changed in the process? Our new friends need you. Sign up today!! If you are unable to go, please consider a financial donation. And, above everything else, keep us all in your prayers. (This message was sent to me by Stan Cunningham, a member of Hilltop staff who spent 6 days driving in southern Louisiana and Texas to assess damage and talk to hurricane victims.)

Partnering with the Maplewood church in Sulphur and with the Clear Lake church of Christ in Houston, we are setting up two volunteer camps which will run at the same time. We are stepping out in faith that God will provide volunteers and supplies needed to keep both operations running. Our focus will be smaller communities where aid is not as available; and just like always, our priorities are the elderly, the handicapped and disabled, single mothers, and those without resources. There are many families like the one described above in need of help. Will you join with us in meeting this need?

Sincerely,
June White
Director of Communications
Hilltop Rescue & Relief

www.hilltoprescue.org