Over the next several days, my unit ministry team traveled across South Louisiana surveying the damage, ministering to soldiers, and caring for civilians in shelters. Weather scientists have now told us that the weather event was a "once in a thousand years event." While the flood reminded many people of Hurricane Katrina, the geographical area was much larger in size and scope.

Stories of the Victims

One of my unit chaplains lost both his home and church in the flood. We drove to his church in north Baton Rouge to visit and give him some encouragement. In typical character, he said that if he needed to go be with his soldiers to minister to them, he would gladly do so. I reassured him that he needed to focus on his church, family, and home at this point. Such is the dual-role concern of many reserve chaplains, holding down responsibilities both in churches as well as in military units.

Jarrett Fontenot, pastor of Holy Spirit Anglican Church in Baton Rouge, cancelled Sunday services on the weekend of the flood. While their meeting place, a car dealership, did not flood, the access roads to the location were impassible. Several of his church members, including the former pastor of the church, flooded. Groups from the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast came to help their fellow believers in the clean-out effort.

Jim Thompson, pastor of St. Stephen's Anglican Church in New Orleans, had about a foot of water in his home. However, this was another blow for Jim and his wife. Just six months earlier, another flood on the North Shore of New Orleans brought several feet of water into his home. Thankfully they had not yet moved furniture back into his house. The ever-faithful priest did not miss Sunday services at St. Stephen's, despite his own home being flooded.

These are the representative stories of flood victims in the Louisiana floods. Many victims told me of how this flood reminded them of Katrina: the sights, the sounds, and especially the smells. The sense of loss was on the faces of people as they came to the shelters. Chaplains perform what is called a "ministry of presence." Sometimes words are not enough to comfort a person who has just lost everything. Our ministry of presence, guided by the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ, becomes a simple reminder to people that Jesus has not forgotten them during times of loss and tragedy.

A Resilient and Thankful People of Louisiana

The response and resiliency of the people of Louisiana have been incredible. After nearly a decade of emergency responses (oil spills, hurricanes, and floods), the various emergency response organizations appear to be working together a little better. The shelters I visited were clean and secure, non-profit organizations were stepping up, and churches had a very visible presence across the state. At one shelter, the department of child and family services was even providing kid activities twice a day to keep children entertained.

As always, people thank the National Guard for the job we do. I had dinner at one restaurant one night, and a gentleman offered to pay for our food by laying down $40 in cash on the table. We told him he did not have to do that, but he insisted. Before we could pay for our food, a lady came by the table and offered to pay for our food. Again, we told her that she did not have to, but she insisted. When we went to pay for the meal, the waitress told her someone had anonymously paid for our meal already. Three people offered to pay for our meal at one restaurant. Being very thankful for the generosity showed to us, we left the $40 cash as a tip for the waitress!

The road to recover will be long and hard. Baton Rouge and the surrounding cities are one of the largest population areas of Louisiana. The vast size and cope of the affected area means that thousands of volunteers are needed to help in the rebuilding efforts.

How You Can Help

Supplies, volunteers, and funds are needed to help in the rebuilding effort. Many churches, including our own, are housing volunteers to assist in the recovery.

You may also donate in two ways. First, the Anglican Relief and Development Fund has a link for online donations: http://ardf.org/relief-flooding-la/.

You may also give directly to Canal Street Church: A Mosaic Community through online donations: http://www.canalmosaic.org/online-giving/ (select "missions" and then "flood relief" in the drop down menu). All money will be given to the recovery effort. Canal Street is specifically partnering with Holy Spirit Anglican Church in Baton Rouge to help their community and neighbors.

Most of all, South Louisiana needs your prayers. Pray for the comfort, strength, and resiliency of the flood victims as we make the love of Jesus known through our relief efforts.

Chaplain (Major) Page Brooks is pastor of Canal Street Church and president of The Restoration Initiative, a community development ministry. Canal Street Church and the Restoration Initiative partner with multiple denominations for ministry and kingdom work. Chaplain Brooks also serves as a National Guard chaplain and is the dean of military chaplains for the Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy.