God answered the many prayers by reducing Hurricane Gustav from a Category 4 to a Category 2 hurricane. We received a report from the evangelist of the New Orleans Church.
Remember damage was still done and many are displaced in the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast. Keep up with the latest needs at www.hopeww.org If you have news of other churches affected by the storms, please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bonny and I made it back to New Orleans this afternoon because she is a first responder as an Registered Nurse. We had a pass to get back early. The city has some damage, mostly trees and fences down, but is in relatively good shape. The biggest issue is the lack of electrical power which should be back on in three to five days.
To our knowledge all the church members are accounted for and doing as well as can be expected. Many are serving with HOPE manning some relief facilities. Others are soon to make their way back.
Please pray for us to have the peace of Christ that passes all understanding as this experience has been a vivid reminder to all of what happened with Katrina. The scars are deep for most people in this area and the disciples also. Need to save battery power. Our love and thoughts are with all of you.
Steve and Bonny Stephenson
Click here for Gustav Ground Zero from CNN
Also please keep praying for those in the way of the next three storms. Hanna, Ike and Josephine.