(Prosperity) Aug. 31, 2005 - Dozens of South Carolinians are turning their faith into action for the victims of Katrina.
To us, it's just a shower stall, but for Katrina victims in Mississippi, it will be a Godsend. On Wednesday, a portable
shower unit is on the road to that state, with a dozen members of Bethel Baptist Church in Prosperity.
Pastor Lynn Peters explains why, "Because people need help. And Christ said that we need to go and help people when they
need help."
Bethel Baptist is one of many South Carolina Baptist Convention churches rolling out relief gear and supplies. The Prosperity
team is also taking shovels and chainsaws. Their shower trailer has six stalls, a washer and dryer, and even more important,
volunteers with big hearts.
Volunteer Fred Hassatt explains the effort, "That's our reward, you know, to see how pleased they are to get an opportunity
to get a shower, to wash their hair."
Volunteer Debra Rowe speaks about their reaction also, "Most of the people can't believe that you would leave the comfort
of your home and your job to come and just tell them that somebody still loves them and somebody still cares about them and
we're here to help you."
Along with the folks from Bethel Baptist, the State Baptist Convention is mobilizing other relief units, including one
that has ham radio gear and another with a mobile kitchen that can feed thousands of people.
Wednesday's help might not be as well-organized or as extensive, if not for Hugo. South Carolina's 1989 hurricane prompted
the Baptist Convention to build an elaborate system for disaster relief.
Now, volunteers are ready on short notice. Debra Rowe has been part of nine missions, from snow storms to the tsunami,
"People are people everywhere in the world. I mean it doesn't matter which nationality you are or anything else. When times
hit you hard you just need to know that somebody loves you and that there's a Greater Power and there's Somebody Else to count
on other than just us."
Heading at this hour to Mississippi, a bit of heaven on earth.
Reported by Jack Kuenzie
Posted 9:05pm by Chantelle Janelle
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3791763&nav=0RaPe03H
