Local pastor recalls helping Katrina survivors

PHOENIX — About 3,000 people are being forced from their homes in Louisiana’s St. John the Baptist Parish as flood waters from Tropical Storm Isaac continue to rise.

The state is using dozens of buses, high water vehicles and boats to evacuate residents from what the lieutenant governor called “shockingly fast-rising” water. The area is about 30 miles west of New Orleans. Forecasters said Isaac will keep dumping intense rain.

Seven years to the day when Hurricane Katrina unleashed her power, Hurricane Isaac unleashed its own form of devastation on the Gulf Coast.

Local Pastor Aubrey Barnwell of First New Life Missionary Baptist Church is keeping Isaac victims in his prayers. He said watching this storm is an eerie reminder of what he experienced seven years ago. He and his congregation opened their hearts, doors and wallets to Katrina survivors.

Many of them chose to return to Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states.

Barnwell said his congregants tried to meet all the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the newcomers, but some couldn’t acclimate.

“Many of them found it difficult to call this home, because of the abrupt way they had to leave. Many of them ended up on a plane and didn’t know where they were going and just ended up here in Phoenix,” said Barnwell.

He said that it’s painful to watch the struggles of the Isaac victims because many of them could be Katrina survivors.

“It’s got to be an overwhelming thing. I pray,” he said.

Barnwell said the prayer center at First New Life Baptist Church is open 24/7 for prayer and reflection.

For more information visit the website.