LaShondra, Jeffery, Kendalyn, Destiny and Tionne lived in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina.  Because they lived on the side of the river that was low lying and depended on pumps to keep the water down when it rained, LaShondra desperately wanted to leave New Orleans when the media began talking about the hurricane. They packed their car with a few days of clothes and headed out. As they drove to Shreveport they got lost but finally made it down towards Houston. LaShondra's cousin, Christy,  knew someone who had stayed at the West I-10 Firestation during a previous hurricane, and she told LaShondra that is was a safe place to go during the storm. They arrived safely at  the Firestation on Tuesday or Wednesday after Katrina hit, and stayed there for almost 3 weeks.

I agreed to meet Diane Walker up at the Firestation to bring books for the Katrina Victims to read. While there I met Christy (LaShondra's cousin). My kids were with me and we decided to "adopt" Christy and her family. (Fiancee, and 3 little boys). During our visits we began to get to know LaShondra.

Christy received  free airplane tickets so she and her family, along with several others at the fire station, moved to New Jersey where they have started over. Before leaving, Christy asked me to please take care of LaShondra and her kids.

I sent out an email to a few people at FCR relaying needs that LaShondra and her family had. One by one all of LaShondra's needs began to be met. Several ladies from FCR began helping her by taking her to Katy Christian Ministries, helping her find a two-bedroom apartment, buying groceries, donating baby items for her nephew, buying shoes, donating furniture, repairing her car, and even arranged traveling to help LaShondra's younger sister, fiancee and baby get to Houston . In addition, the firestation allowed her to "shop" in their food pantry the day she left. Her kitchen was filled with canned goods and non-perishable items.

Currently, LaShondra has been given a washer and dryer, bedroom furniture, day bed and trundle, twin bed, couch and loveseat, coffee table, kitchen table and 4 chairs, and lots of household goods and clothing.

One by one, God has provided for LaShondra's physical needs, through the body of  FCR. Two Sundays ago, LaShondra came to church with me, and the love from our congregation was overwhelming. I was so proud to be part of something so wonderful. She and her children felt completely loved by our church.

I know one of the biggest blessings for LaShondra has been feeling connected to someone; having someone be her friend and knowing she can count on someone if she calls. Many have come along side LaShondra and have been Jesus' feet and hands to her. What a tremendous blessing to witness God's "hands and feet" ministering.

 LaShondra had almost finished training as a medical assistant when Katrina hit and is currently looking for a job here. Jeff, her fiancée is going back to New Orleans to do some temporary work, because he has not been able to find anything here. There are several other  needs to be met and I am confident that, in time, God will meet those needs too.

God Bless - Jennifer