Doing God’s work

BELAIRE COVE — The parable of the good samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 of the Holy Bible is brought to life as Samaritan’s Purse volunteers work to bring relief to Louisiana flood victims.
Program Manager for Samaritan’s Purse Bruce Poss said, “The story of the good samaritan illustrates what Samaritan’s Purse is doing. The good samaritan not only helped the man in need, but he also provided him with long term help. That’s what we strive to do.”
On their quest to be what Jeff Weber, a Samaritan’s Purse worker, described as “the hands and feet of Jesus,” one group from the disaster relief organization journeyed to Belaire Cove to assist 84-year-old Elvin Soileau and his 82-year-old wife Rose in making their home once again livable.
The group learned about the needs of Elvin and his wife after their great nephew Bryan Mellott reached out to the organization, which was founded by Christian evangelist and Southern Baptist Minister Billy Graham.
Mellott, who lives in Virginia but traveled to Belaire Cove to assist his family, said, “Weeks had gone by and Elvin and Rose were still living in their camper. That’s not a place for people in their 80s to be having to stay, so I decided I would call Samaritan’s Purse to just see if they could help them out.”
The help that Mellott sought for his family arrived in the small community of Belaire Cove on Tuesday, and the Samaritan’s Purse team of 11 individuals from 10 different states and family members Jodie and Wilda Soileau immediately dove right into gutting the home that Elvin has shared with his wife for 63 years.
The groups arrival to the Soileau residence was something that Elvin said he “never at all would have expected,” but “it means everything to us that they came.”
The Samaritan’s Purse team, which Poss says are “motivated by their faith,” worked all day Tuesday and Wednesday removing furniture, ripping out floors and cabinets, removing sheetrock, and sanitizing the Soileau’s home, which had about four inches of water inside for several days.
It is not only physical needs that Samaritan’s Purse is making an effort to impact however.
Poss said, “We get the physical work done first, and that brings people hope. Hope that people need after facing a difficult time. We are helping in Jesus’s name, so once they have hope again, we are able to provide them with the emotional and spiritual help they may need.”
This isn’t the first time this group has traveled to the state to aid Louisiana’s people in their time of need. Earlier this year, Samaritan’s Purse was in North Louisiana providing relief after heavy rainfall led to flooding in that area as well. Just like that trip, Samaritan’s Purse has no intention of leaving Louisiana until their teams of volunteers have helped everyone in need.
Poss said, “We are committed to this long term. A lot of times we think of worship as something that only happens within the four walls of the church, but that’s not how it is suppose to be. We can worship by sacrificing and giving, and that is what our volunteers are doing. Until the work runs out, our volunteers will be in Louisiana worshiping through our relief efforts.”
If anyone 14 years or older is interested in taking part in providing aid to Louisiana flood victims, you can volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse by calling (337) 349-5130. Individuals 14-15 years old must be accompanied by their parent, while individuals 16-17 years old must have a responsible adult with them to volunteer. Samaritan’s Purse will be scheduling volunteers until October 29th, or until their work is complete.