inside #9 - September 2005

Hurricane Katrina

During the last few weeks we have volunteered again and again for the American Red Cross to care for the Katrina Evacuees that were at the Austin Convention Center. Approximately 5000 people have been there who have been evacuated or have become homeless due to the damage that the Hurricane has made. By the help of innumerable aids the accomodation of these people was secured.
Such a mass shelter is really a strange sight. There is almost no privacy for those people. In some cots people slept or at least tried to rest despite all the noise around. Many were busy in search for a job, a house or for relatives.
The Lord has called us to America to bless this nation. We very really thankful to be able to help in the aftermath of Katrina.
On Friday September 23 the shelter at the Convention Center was closed. Everybody found housing or moved to stay with relatives.

permanent location

The first step to Austin has been made. Nevertheless we do not have time to rest. We are still searching for a permanent home for HELP for all Nations. The building in which we live right now will be torn down in January 2006. To start this new era of our ministry we will need finances for the first rent, the deposit, the fee for water and electricity hookup and monthly support to cover the expenses (rent and utilities). We are grateful for every kind of help.

Grill Party

Last week we had a grill party with some of the Runaways. Actually, they invited us to celebrate our reunion. We have known these guys for some time and we were also very glad to have them back here in Austin. So we went shopping together and then headed to McKinney Falls State Park. When we got there we lit a fire and grilled some steaks. All day long we had a lot of fun and very good fellowship. We all enjoyed this day very much.

One of them said:

To be here in the park is like vacation from the city. I cannot see Guadalupe Street any longer. Always the same buildings--always the same people. All this beatiful nature here - it's like in a movie.

God changes lives

We have known Billy for several years. Traveling, alcohol and parties are the things he was living for. It was beyond his imagination to live a life for any other purpose. But somehow he changed during the past few months. Just recently he spent several weeks in jail. While serving his sentence he read the New Testament back and forth. He was really touched by the words he was reading.
When we met him on the street the other day he seemed to be changed and wholehearted in the way he was talking. He told us that he realized how wrong his lifestyle is in the eyes of God. He admitted that he's got a serious problem with alcohol and that he is unable to free himself from this addiction. He desires to live a life that pleases God. Still he struggles to accept God's love, His grace and His forgiveness. We believe that Billy soon will become a child of God.