Headed South...Again

On Sunday, September 14 we headed south towards Beaumont, Texas. Our destination would be Ford Park. Ford Park is a huge complex that housed a convention center, fairgrounds, an outdoor theater, and a number of athletic fields. The entire complex was leased by FEMA and the US Forestry Service and would be the base of operations and staging area for the Federal response to Hurricane Ike.

Our team was one of the first groups to arrive. The power to Ford Park had not yet been restored and wind and water damage was visible. Generators powered parts of the facility and we were offered the floor in the lobby area as our accommodations for the evening. The 'hum' of a nearby generator lulled us to sleep as the emergency litters that we used as beds were a little less than comfortable.

We arose early the next morning to find that the Salvation Army Mobile kitchens had arrived and would be our food providers while there. My respect and appreciation for the Salvation Army soared. They were there before any other agency and the attitudes of those cooking and serving the food were inviting and most willing to serve all who stood in the long lines to get a meal.

There was more waiting as our command team assessed the needs in the general area and made missional decisions. One day passed and we learned that another night at Ford Park would be on our agenda. The activity at the staging area was beginning to increase. Hundreds of 18-wheelers began to arrive carrying supplies that would soon bring relief to the people who now fit into the category of 'homeless.' A variety of medical, security, and military units flowed into the staging area throughout the day.

Our accommodations were upgraded for our second night. We were allowed to sleep in the Exhibition Hall. Still sleeping on medical litters, we did have the opportunity to shower in some locker rooms tucked beneath the indoor arena. Because there were thousands of people at the staging area and the showers could never accommodate everyone, we were secretly led into the catacombs to enjoy our first shower in three days.

We were informed shortly after noon on our second day that we would be moving to Houston, Texas. More specifically, our mission would be to set up a hospital on the campus of Rice University. Houston had welcomed thousands of evacuees from the more southern areas of Texas and the local hospitals were experiencing tremendous overloads of people coming into their Emergency Departments. Our presence would alleviate some of the patient loads at the hospitals. Ambulances would deliver those needing medical care to our facility. Other ambulances were standing by at our location to transport the patients who needed more extensive care to local hospitals for admittance.

In my next installment I'll share some experiences while serving those who visited our clinic.