All told, the greater Houston area is huge, encompassing more than ten thousand square miles—bigger than New Jersey and inhabited by 12 million people. So the job of trolling to find and save thousands of people in snake- and even alligator-infested waters is not only ambitious, it is risky.
Yet hundreds of people are rushing in to do what they can to help. Yes, there have been the valiant first responders who have done an amazing job. But there are also "just folks" with a boat or a jet ski heading into the storm.
Jordy Bloodsworth lost everything when Hurricane Katrina struck 12 years ago. So in the midst of the storm he loaded up his car and headed to Houston, towing an 18' fishing boat behind him. Since then he has been rescuing people. Just Jordy, getting them to safety, food, and clean water.
Like the English home-grown armada that delivered so many solders to England from Hitler's advance on Dunkirk, these boaters from Louisiana, Texas and other states have descended on the swollen streets of Houston. Known as the "Cajun Navy", they are just some of the countless Americans doing what they can, scrambling to keep up with nonstop calls for help.
Monica Rodriguez and her three children were taken to safety after more than two days trapped in her Houston apartment. All were saved by Crickett Erwin and her fianc�, Alan Parker, two civilians on their jet skis.
Meanwhile others rescued elderly women, some in wheelchairs, who were stuck in waist-deep waters, with furniture and other objects floating around them.
This week the Indiana Task Force One's Water Rescue Team left to help. They are 14 local men and women firefighters who are trained to navigate dangerous flooded areas who have volunteered to work in Houston for at least the next two or three weeks. They are equipped with two medics six boats and water rescue gear.
All over Indianapolis churches are filling trucks with needed supplies and money is being raised. Pastor John Girton of Christ Missionary Baptist Church called Jim looking for help to transport donated goods, Forest Creek Village, a local senior community is holding a fundraiser to benefit other nursing home communities in the Houston area, and St. Luke's Methodist is organizing an emergency relief team and sending down hygiene and cleaning supplies that are desperately needed.
I'm so proud of our churches, our city and our state. And while there is so much going on to help in this disaster, it will be years before the residents are restored to some semblance of normalcy. This will not be a "one and done."
When fickle news coverage goes back to its constant political bickering, and the romances of movie icons swell the airwaves, we will need to remember Houston.
So first pray for all those people we don't know, but we care so much about. Then act. Do what you can do. Little can be accomplished without money, so send that if you can. And look around at all the comforts of home around you and thank the Lord for your ability to help.
Blessings,
Nancy
