THANK YOU FOR HELPING!!
(see Articles, Video, and Photos below)

UPDATE 3/16/06...

"Church starts new building"

Thursday, March 16, 2006 March 5 was a big day for members of First Independent Methodist Church in Bayou La Batre.

Ground was broken for their new church building on Padgett Switch Road, according to church spokesman Harold L. Hodges .

"All our facilities were flooded during Hurricane Katrina, and our fellowship hall, annex, parsonage and retired pastor's home were a total loss on the inside," Hodges said. "And there was major roof damage to the church and parsonage."  Kevin Brouillette is pastor at the church.

 

One  of our objectives as a church is to help those in need.   You have certainly risen to the occasion; we will be sending over 2200.00 to our "adopted church" in Bayou La Batre and to Linda Williamson' brother and sister who were all affected by Hurricane Katrina.  We also sent many many bags of clothing to the Police Dept. in New Orleans via the Daytona Beach Police Dept, thanks to all who donated, and to Cheryl for picking them up and delivering them for us.  A special thank you to everyone who reached deep in their pocket books and donated so generously - whether $5.00 or $200.00 - every bit is just as important.  We will update you on how the church and families are doing as we find out more information, and if possible photos.  Thank you for showing your Christian spirit and sharing God's love with our neighbors in need. 

Articles and Photos of Hurricane Katrina's devastation in Bayou La Batre, AL

Links to Articles:
(please note, these links will take you to another website; click your "Back" button to return)

In Bayou La Batre, desperation

Ailing shrimpers dealt a tough blow

Video:
If you have Video capabilities, here's a news clip on Bayou La Batre: Video Clip

Photos:
(click on photos to enlarge, click your "Back" button to return)

	Satellite image of Bayou La Batre, AL.
	Phillip Morris of Bayou La Batre, AL sat in a makeshift swing in the yard -- a contraption that looked like it came from a shrimping boat. Phillip survived Hurricane Katrina's wrath, but his home did not.  (News-Courier/Kelly Kazek)
	Rick Grubb, a volunteer with the First Church of the Nazarene in Mobile pulls a water-damaged table to the side of the road at the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bayou La Batre as he and others prepare the church for a service Saturday. (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Rev. Kevin Brouillette, pastor of the First Evangelical Methodist Church in Bayou La Batre, Ala. sprays disinfectant along the bottoms of church pews as he and others prepare the church for a service Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005.  (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Rev. Kevin Brouillette, pastor of the First Evangelical Methodist Church in Bayou La Batre, Ala. sprays disinfectant along the bottoms of church pews as he and others prepare the church for a service Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005.  (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	The owners of this home leave information for insurance and FEMA adjusters on the wreckage of their Shell Belt Rd. home in Bayou La Batre, Ala. Saturday Sept. 3, 2005.  (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Property owners in Bayou La Batre leave plenty of warning for anyone considering looting damaged homes and possessions Saturday Sept. 3, 2005. (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Shrimp boats pushed up into the wooded area along the Bayou La Batre, Ala. from Hurricane Katrina's landfall along the Gulf Coast. (Mobile Register, John David Mercer)
	Shrimp boats along the Bayou La Batre, Ala. from Hurricane Katrina's landfall along the Gulf Coast.  (Mobile Register, John David Mercer)
	A shrimp boat sits aground in Bayou La Batre, Ala., Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on Monday.  (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Several boats sit aground in in the trees lining Bayou La Batre, Ala., Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on Monday. (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Residents of Bayou La Batre, Ala., look at buildings damaged at the State Docks area Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 by Hurricane Katrina's landfall on Monday. (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	A container ship sits near a shrimp boat after both were pushed aground in Bayou La Batre, Ala., Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 by high waves and storm surge from Hurricane Katrina's landfall on Monday. (Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews)
	Misc. fabric items hanging from a tree.  Linda's brother tells her they tied themselves to a tree during the hurricane, and winds were so strong their clothes were torn from their bodies.  They survived, thank God, and found tablecloths to wrap around themselves when it was all over.