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Evacuation Reflections

So we returned to Rockport without trouble and have been trying to get back into the swing of things. I have seen footage and pictures of the Galveston area, and I am startled and humbled. Everyone in Rockport is thankful that the storm turned north and missed us completely. I have heard people joking about the evacuations in Rockport, calling them "hurrications." I have even endured some good natured ribbing about running from the storm from some of those who stayed behind. I wonder if some people were mentally giving themselves high-fives for waiting until the last minute to evacuate and then "winning" their gamble because the storm turned north. I laughed at that too for a while, until I saw the footage of the devastation from Ike, and then all the light-heartedness seemed inappropriate. I suppose "sobering" is the best word. We dodged a terrible bullet here in Rockport. If Ike had come ashore here as they were predicting at first, our house would have seen major damage, perhaps major flooding, and our house is in one of the highest spots in Rockport.

So we turn our attention now to praying for and ministering to those impacted by Ike. I spoke to my friend Greg Smith, who is the pastor at FBC Brazoria. Greg had invited us to evacuate to his house, that is until the storm turned that way and his family had to go north to Denison. He returned early this past week and found that his house and church sustained no real damage, thank goodness. Now his church is ministering to 100 or so relief workers in the area. Our own church has sent a team of Texas Baptist Men relief workers to League City.

It has been puzzling to me how the Ike devastation has received so little national press, not compared to Katrina. That being so, there is a chance that the relief efforts could be stymied by lack of funds and volunteers.

The American Red Cross is seeking monetary and blood donations. In some cities they are seeking volunteers to work at relief shelters. Please contact your local Red Cross or go to their website, http://www.redcross.org/.

I also encourage Texas Baptists to consider making a contribution to the Texas Baptist Men's Disaster Relief fund. You can obtain more information on their website, http://www.texasbaptistmen.org/.

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