August 29th Update

Hope Crisis Response Network – August 29, 2008

Today is the somber anniversary of the most devastating natural disaster to ever strike the United States.
Beautiful weather is gracing Gulfport, Mississippi today and yet a cloud of fear is wearing on the minds of many residents.  Today marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and Hope City, Gulfport will host a barbecue and worship service to share hope with the community.

However the threat of another powerful storm is over-shadowing the thoughts and actions of many local residents.  A recorded message went out Thursday to Mississippi residents from Governor Haley Barbour and it portrays the sentiments of so many.  He said, “We are praying for the best, but we must prepare for the worst.”

Hope City Camp Directors Monte and Kim Brenneman are hosting friends and volunteers in camp for the dinner tonight, but today Kim said local residents are very scared.  Several have already called and said they are leaving town today to be out before the evacuations might be required.  Gas prices are jumping about 20 cents a day and lines are long at local stations.  Lines are also long at local grocery stores and they are running out of basic supplies because of the fear that is setting in.

Forecasters are still leaving the projected path for Hurricane Gustav wide open and urging residents from Texas to Florida to prepare.  They do expect the storm to become a category 3 storm as it moves through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Please pray today for the Gulf Coast residents.  This is a dangerous and frightening time for them.

I also have very tragic news regarding the Wetzel family. Ken and Dawn Wetzel have worked with HCRN and other volunteers since the moments after Katrina, they live in Biloxi and were informed by police this week, that Dawn’s sister was killed at her home and then the home was set on fire to cover up the murder.  Her boyfriend was arrested Thursday in Florida and is the main suspect at this time.  They are reeling today from this terrible news.

Volunteers from Hope City went to their house Thursday and helped them board up and prepare for the possible hurricane.  The Wetzels will leave Saturday to return to Houston where Ken’s father is hospitalized in the final stages of terminal cancer.  The men also helped the salvage what they could from the burned out home.  They did locate several important documents, including the property deed in her car, rather than in the home.  A miracle in the mess.

Please be in prayer for Ken and Dawn and their three children.  Our hearts are so heavy for them at this time.

I was almost hesitant to send this update today, because of the sadness it includes, although I believe it contains very important information for our friends.

So I am reminded that God is always faithful. He is our refuge and strength.  Thank you for your prayers today and each and every week along this journey.  Hope City is a blessed place.  God set it apart for ministry following Hurricane Katrina.  Thank you for being part of this ministry and this blessing.

Be blessed today!  We love you!

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46:1-3, 6