Eight months after Hurricane Katrina cut its devastating path through southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, United brethren are continuing efforts to rebuild and make repairs. In some areas of the Gulf South, namely certain parts of New Orleans and outlying pockets to the east, rebuilding is slow and, in many neighborhoods, seemingly nonexistent. In other regions, life is getting back to normal.

Vic and Beverly Kubik visited the brethren in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area Feb. 25, and saw firsthand the devastation caused by Katrina last August.

"We were moved by their positive and courageous spirit," Mr. Kubik said. "Several have had damage to homes and some still live in trailers as their homes are being repaired. Their spirit and faith is second to none. While they had gone through suffering themselves, their focus was on others and the work of God."

After receiving generous donations from UCG members (and nonmembers), the UCG Good Works Program as well as the LifeNets charitable organization contributed large amounts of funds to assist God's people here. The amount expended thus far helping 52 brethren (approximately one third of the people in our three congregations) has totaled just over $48,500 ($36,250 from Good Works and $12,250 from LifeNets).

Immediately after Katrina, funds were used to get essential supplies to members, give emergency financial aid and assist with evacuation costs. Subsequently, the money has been used for a variety of purposes, including tree removals and stump grinding; roof, flooring, drywall and structural repairs and/or replacement; appliance, furniture and clothing replacement; relocation costs; and financial assistance due to lost income.

A portion of the LifeNets aid was dedicated for the purpose of enabling our members to, in turn, directly assist others in their respective communities. Brethren used this money to house and feed displaced family members and strangers in their homes, provide bedding supplies to evacuees living in a makeshift tent city in Chalmette, Louisiana, and purchase household items for several families who lost everything when their homes were flooded to the rooftops.

The brethren faced some incredible circumstances. There are too many stories to tell, but here are a few of the highlights.

Chris Rogillio and her 86-year-old father, John Baggett, of the Covington, Louisiana, congregation, along with Chris' two daughters and their children, spent over a day trapped in the attic of their home in Slidell waiting for the floodwaters to recede.

Dorothy Lewis, a member in the New Orleans congregation, was evacuated from New Orleans by helicopter after being stranded on a rooftop for several hours.

Donna Jones returned to her home in Holly Beach, western Louisiana, to find only her lawn mower and bathtub. Everything else, including her house, had been swept out to sea. With FEMA and Good Works funds, she was able to purchase and furnish a small, modest home farther inland.

A fourth lady, Linda Bergeron (age 83), had her home flooded in Chalmette. Even though she had been provided with a FEMA trailer at her home, she insisted on continuing to reside in a tent city so she could assist people in need.

Many brethren "rode it out" in their homes, because they were far enough inland to be unaffected by floodwaters. They watched and prayed while trees crashed on and through their homes. Nathan and Violet Sanders lost 40 trees in their one-acre yard, pulling several off their roof.

Tom and Sandy Letellier watched as 170-mile-an-hour winds drove horizontal rain through the walls of their log cabin home.

Thankfully, as has been stated in previous updates, all of the brethren survived. It has been inspiring to witness God's people as they keep the perspective of the bigger picture through this ongoing hardship. They realize that tougher times are ahead for mankind prior to Jesus Christ's return, but regardless of their physical circumstances, God will see them through.

The financial needs of several of the brethren in the area are ongoing as they rebuild. Ten members' homes experienced flood damage—five of them are still living in FEMA trailers or other temporary housing until either their homes are repaired or until they purchase/rent other housing.

However, as a result of the abundant outpouring of financial support from God's people around the world, the needs of God's people here continue to be met. I am reminded of Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia for a similar deed (2 Corinthians 8:1-7). The Gulf South congregations thank you.