Disaster Relief (click here for an update)

YWAM New Orleans is continuing its Disaster Relief project, and we are so grateful to the thousands of people who have already participated with us. Our YWAM properties sustained a lot of heavy wind and some water damage from Hurricane Katrina. Thankfully, through a lot help from volunteer cleanup and construction teams from all the US and Canada our YWAM properties are now 95% restored. Our restored Teams Houses are usually full to capacity with visiting teams working diligently to bring hope and help to the people of New Orleans.  Teams working with us have been cleaning, gutting and rebuilding damaged homes as well as praying, listening and sharing with individuals and families.  Often individuals we are helping are so grateful for our help and often weep when we talk to them.

Because 8 out of the 10 homes in New Orleans were flooded during Hurricane Katrina, the majority of them needed to be  gutted of moldy sheetrock and flooring. It is a labor intensive, removing everything in the house down to the studs.  The average cost of paying someone to gut your home is $5,000. YWAM teams have been coming in and gutting homes free.  This has been an incredible testimony of God’s provision and love for so many people whose insurance will not cover this cost or in many situations, the homeowners did not have flood insurance. Many of the homeowners we help are poor, elderly, handicap and many are widows who are unable to do hard manual labor. Our team gutted the home of Robin, who is divorced with no children she said, “You have restored my home, but you have also restored my soul.”

There is still a lot of work still to do in New Orleans.  Less than ½ of the residents of New Orleans have been able to return to their neighborhoods. Many of the residents of New Orleans lived in the same neighborhoods for generations and are very homesick. Please prayerfully consider helping us with our Disaster Relief efforts in New Orleans. You can help through coming yourself, bringing a team or financially supporting our efforts. For more information on how you can join our Disaster Relief efforts, please contact our office at 504.367-6000 or e-mail at info@ywamneworleans.org

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