The amazing thing to me–as a fifteen year resident of metro New Orleans and the director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans–is that some are saying New Orleans actually dodged the bullet with hurricane Katrina. If that’s true, we do not want to see that bullet, is all I can say.
Here’s what I know.
1. Our pastors and church members are scattered from one end of this country to the other. My associate, Freddie Arnold, spent hours this morning trying to locate pastors of some of our 60 mission churches and found no one. Bear in mind that all our cell phones have to go through the towers and centers that took the full brunt of Katrina, and you will understand why communication is nearly impossible even for those of us out of harm’s way.
2. My wife and I along with our son Neil and his family left New Orleans Saturday around 4 pm and drove to Birmingham. The traffic was already getting heavy, and police were beginning the contra flow plan even then on segments of Interstate 59 going north from Slidell toward Hattiesburg. We checked into the Best Western Carlton Suites near Samford University and with the indoor pool right down the hall, the three grandchildren experienced a mini-vacation. Along with the rest of the nation, the four adults were glued to the television news.
3. The funny thing–I guess you can call it funny–is that Friday night, I had attended a Saints’ preseason football game in the Superdome without the slightest idea of what was ahead. Before the weekend ended, the dome was filled with citizens seeking shelter, and within another 24 hours had become a cesspool of heat and noise and filth.
4. Our associational office is across the street from the University of New Orleans and right on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain–the address says it all: 2222 Lakeshore Drive–and doubtless is either under water or fairly well saturated with water. Freddie set the computer hard drives on chairs before leaving the offices Saturday. No one has any idea what we will find when we are finally able to re-enter.
5. It is a bizarre feeling to be in anguish over what’s happening back at home, to be crying out to God on the behalf of those left behind, and knowing there is not one blessed thing you can do more. It’s the very definition of helplessness. Our daughter in law, Julie, could not reach her parents who had decided to stay at home in Slidell. Only Wednesday did she finally make contact to discover they are fine and had no damage. One of her brothers is bringing them a generator.
6. My neighbor across the back street–we live in a western suburb called River Ridge–rode the storm out (“It was the worst night of my life; God really got my attention”) and called us Tuesday to say our home had come through fine. A few shingles off the roof and the back fence knocked down by a falling tree from the neighbor’s yard. I’ll take that any day. Thank you, Lord.
7. However, there is no doubt that within a half mile of my house, people’s homes and churches like Riverside Baptist are flooded. This is exactly how it happened in May of 1995 when we got something like 14 inches of rain in one night. Our little ridge of land sits 13 feet above sea level and became an island of calm and safety.
8. People are already asking me what they can do to help. The answers are as follows:
- a. Pray for God to guide in every decision being made. People are at work rescuing the stranded and caring for the hurting, draining the water, restoring utilities, etc.
b. Pray for the Lord to be in charge of when and how people return home. Everything I see and hear tells me life in New Orleans has been changed forever by Katrina. That’s not all bad. Pray for the Lord to rule and reign in every change.
c. Understand that no disaster relief teams can re-enter the city to assist until the citizens as a whole are invited to return. So there will be no church groups coming to help for months yet.
d. Those who want to take up offerings or send money to assist churches and Baptist members and ministers in metro New Orleans should send checks to: NEW ORLEANS ASSISTANCE, in care of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, P. O. Box 311, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303.
9. My family and I are with my parents on the farm out from Nauvoo, Alabama until further notice. We’ve been in touch with the office of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in Alexandria and will probably be borrowing some office space from a neighboring director of missions until we can get back in our place. Thanks for your love and prayers.
10. I’ll try to stay in touch with my email. joe@joemckeever.com is working, but Internet access is inconsistent. For what it’s worth, my cell phone is (504) 615-0149.
Grandpa Joe,
I was very touched tonight when I was putting your sweet grandaughter Darilyn to bed. She prayed for the hurricane victims, then each of the ‘Cajun McKeevers’ by name. I thought she was finished, but she continued: “And I hope their homes are O.K. – but if they aren’t I hope they’ll move closer to us”. Amen to that!
Know that you are all in our prayers!
Misha
It’s been said that tragedies like this either harden or soften a man’s heart, but they are never the same. I pray that the it’s the latter for most who are enduring this. I am glad to hear that your house seems to be ok. May God have his hand on you and yours during this time. Praying is the most I can do (and am doing it often), but if there’s anything else I can do, let me know.
Our home is in north Kenner. I know we have had some flooding, but I do not know the extent of it. We have two boys ages 15 and 12. We will have to make some decisions fairly soon about their schooling. We are uncertain where we will set up temporary housekeeping, but I want the boys to have some kind of stability.
I have heard from our pastor, Scott Smith. He and his family are in a campground in Carencro for now. I know of two of our church family members who have relocated to other states to live with relatives and enroll their children in schools there.
Please pray that we make God-led decisions and not self-led decisions.
I am a recent retired D.O.M.of Coastal Plains Baptist Area, southwest Houston. We are taking care of three different congregations from your area. Two African American Congregations of whom are being taking care of in one of our churches. Then Paul Smith and many from his congreation.
Our prayers with you all.
Harold and Margaret Sellers
2805 Madison
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Phones; Home 281-232-5416
Cell. 713-248-7808
I am a recent retired D.O.M.of Coastal Plains Baptist Area, southwest Houston. We are taking care of three different congregations from your area. Two African American Congregations of whom are being taking care of in one of our churches. Then Paul Smith and many from his congreation.
Our prayers with you all.
Harold and Margaret Sellers
2805 Madison
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Phones; Home 281-232-5416
Cell. 713-248-7808
So thankful that you are o.k. We have been praying for you. Thank you for updating your website–it has been a blessing to know that you and Ms. Margaret are safe.
Love,
The Dillons
Dr. Joe and family,
Stacie and I have been praying for all of you and are so happy that you are okay. Please know that Texas welcomes you if you need to come this way and of course I am sure that PawPaw would welcome you with opened arms. With all our love and prayers,
Sharon Sams
Dr. Joe KcKeever,
I am the realtor in Abbotsford, BC Canda who has been using your cartoons in my business. My family and I are praying for you and asking for God’s provision and blessing on all who are displaced and whose lives have been disrupted.
God Bless!
Stan Wiebe
I’ve been talking with my friends, trying to figure out what we could do to help. Thanks for passing along the info (Send checks to: NEW ORLEANS ASSISTANCE, in care of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, P. O. Box 311, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303.) It’s better to get a recommendation from someone we trust. May our Lord comfort you and bless you through his grace.
Joe and Margaret,
We are so very glad you are well. Also glad your home is OK. That alone is amazing! I will be reading your articles with great interest. Please keep all of us informed concerning the progress you are making toward normalcy. We are praying for you and for all the people of New Orleans.
Dixon
Dr. Joe,
So glad to hear all the McKeevers are safe! You’ve all been in my thoughts and prayers these past days. Also thanks for the info on how to help. Would love to see you all if you’re ever in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We have plenty of room. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you or your family on a personal level.
With love,
Roslyn Bray Winterhalter
Hi Joe McKeever, I’m glad to hear that you and your family are okay. I’m praying for all of you down there.
Joe,
I was one of the disaster relief chaplains in training at the retreat near Talledega, AL, in 2004. You were on program.
My thoughts and concerns include the initial shock of mass grief being experienced in your area of ministry. I know the pastors and staff members have their own personal and family challenges. But their concerns and care for their flocks must be near overwhelming.
Blessings to you and them as you plan ministry response in the short and long term. When you get to the point of knowing how to direct helpers, I offer my help in grief work.
Readers are welcome to contact me via email or phone. It will be my blessing to offer a word of care and a prayer–after I listen.
Dan King Sr
478 272 9355
counselor@nlamerica.com
http://www.livingwellhope.com
Bro. Joe,
While attending NOBTS I worked at FB Gretna.
There has been no news of that area. What can you tell me about them??
I am reliefed to know that you and your family are ok. You will be a key to God’s work in the NO area.
Steve
Dear Joe:
Sandra and I are praying for the folks of New Orleans. As a former pastor of Riverside Baptist Church my heart goes out to the members there as well as the other churches in the association. We have been in touch with some of our former members and they have lost everything except their faith in Christ. Our message to all is: God is able!
Until He Comes,
Gary D. Frazier, Ph.D.
Discovery Ministries, Inc
POB 13770
Arlington, TX 76094
817-715-0840
http://www.discoveryministries.com
Dr. Mckeever-
I thank God that you and your family made it out and survived. While my prayers are with everyone in the New Orleans area, I am specifically looking for any information about Tony Merida. The students in my youth group have had been with Tony at a couple of summer camps over the past few years and they are all anxious to know how their friend “T-Bone”, his church, and his family are doing. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Again, you are in our earnest prayers.
In His Love,
Jodi Wallace
Student Ministries
FBC Pinson Alabama
Joe,
Glad to hear you and your family are safe. Tell Uncle Carl and Aunt Lois hello for me. You could send me one of Aunt Lois’s fried apple pies! Although if Mother (Annie) comes to visit, don’t send it by her. Last time she ate it on the way home, but did tell me Aunt Lois sent it to me and how good it was! ha
Patsy
Dr. Joe, and Family (my sweet, dear friends!)
I am so happy that you are all all right, and our prayers are nonstop for everyone. If ever you or anyone need anything, our home too is always open here in The Great Smoky Mountains.
The best thing from this is as I saw posted above, The love of God, and faith in him has NOT been lost!
I am sending those Lee High General (class of 1981) t-shirts that I told you about from OUR Class reunion to Houston to help those from New Orleans; they are left over from 2001, and can be used by people in need.
Keep us informed, and
My Love to all of you NOW & forever
Patty!~
Dear Joe and Family, You are very close in heart and in prayer. Terry & I are releived to know you are out of harm’s way and are safe…It’s hard to digest all we see and hear in the media but we continue to have hope and to know God is in control of this situation. God Bless you, Terry and Rosemary
Dear Joe,
Thank you for a personal word. We’re out here in California and have few personal contacts with the area hit by Katrina. Our church is collecting funds and will be looking for other links in the future. When you have a church we could adopt, let us know.
Pastor Dennis