October 14, 2016
During August, almost all of Baton Rouge and many surrounding areas encountered between a few inches and 11 feet of flood water. Many homeowners were either uninsured or under-insured for flood damage. Over 30,000 people were rescued during this disaster, and the area is still dealing with the after-effects.
"She [a homeowner] had lost everything she had worked to build--her home, belongings, everything." Tiger Baseball sophomore Jimmy Kizer said. "What we worked on were just the things that could be replaced."
This flood victim continually expressed her gratitude to the group that helped restore her home. Six ETBU crews worked with Church of Life Baptist Fellowship, Victory Academy Christian School, and at two local residences during their three days of service.
"The stories from the faculty and students at the school were heartbreaking," ETBU freshman Gloria Gonzalez said.
ETBU students, led by Head Baseball Coach Jared Hood and BSM Director Mark Yates, put up sheetrock, removed mud, painted, aided with general clean-up and provided devotional times of prayer, worship, and scripture reading for the flood victims.
"One woman that we helped told us that at first there were tons of people here to help, but now no one comes," ETBU Tiger Baseball senior Zach Ervin said. "There are so many people still needing help,"
Stories were shared with the students, coaches, and faculty about aid being sent early on, then many projects were forgotten and left incomplete. One elderly flood victim shared that two days before they arrived he prayed that God would send someone and "today you showed up."
This trip supports ETBU's institution-wide commitment to bringing the love of God to others through Christian servant leadership.