We have a family friend who, with many of her relatives, evacuated Covington (adjacent to New Orleans) before the storm hit. Please pray that her three remaining nieces and nephews are found alive.

Her home survived; the house of one niece was destroyed.

Covington is on its own, and the Red Cross is not operating there at all. Citizens are taking it upon themselves to try to get food to those who need it. Many of them are carrying firearms, since people undertaking rescue work have been carjacked (and boat-jacked).

Our friend asks that people not give money to the Red Cross, as it isn't present outside New Orleans at all. She has found that her Amex card actually works, so she is getting cash advances to people who need money.

Obviously, her friends here in Los Angeles are trying to figure out a way to get money to this woman and/or the local Baptist Church in Covington, which is the staging center for the local citizenry.

I'm a little concerned about how my friend is going to pay her Amex bill, since most of her income comes from tending bar (a bar in New Orleans that presumably doesn't exist any more).

If anyone wants to Paypal me, send me a note designating "barmaid" or "Baptists," and I'll hold it in my business account until we can figure out a way to get it to the church—or to my friend.

In the meantime, please don't forget those in the areas outside N.O. who are struggling with no power, no phone service, limited gasoline for rescue missions, and little food/water. People like my friend are hiking out to centers where MREs are being distributed, and taking them back to those with limited mobility.

They can use your prayers right now.

Posted by: Attila at 02:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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