American Bible Society sees impact of hurricane response by United Bible Societies staff
Photo: ABS/David Singer
A scene of devastation in Mississippi caused by Hurricane Katrina, which swept across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in August 2005.
HOUSTON, Texas, U.S.A., November 10, 2005 — Within days of Hurricane Katrina striking Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama at the end of August, the American Bible Society (ABS) had begun calling for donations to its Hope Fund to ensure that the many Bibles lost by churches and individuals could be replaced. And within just a few weeks it had made ready 750,000 Bibles for distribution to the victims, along with Scripture Portions and publications for children and young people The Portions included a special version of God is our Shelter and Strength, distributed widely by ABS following the bombing of the World Trade Center in September 2001.
PHOTO: ABS/David Singer
Two boys at a reception centre in Mississippi for victims of Hurricane Katrina. They are reading one of the Scripture publications distributed in response to the disaster by the American Bible Society.
The Society's efforts initially focused on Houston, Texas, where many refugees fled in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. In temporary shelters across the city, volunteers from local churches - working under the auspices of Operation Compassion - helped to distribute food and clothing and also made available Bibles and Portions in both English and Spanish to those who wished to receive them.
Despite having to queue for many hours for basic supplies, many refugees also found time to come to get a new Bible, reports one volunteer, Dorris Ellis: "Most of these people lost their Bibles and they will treasure this new Bible as a sign of a fresh start," she says. "They will read it while in line and be comforted and encouraged."
As the days went on, ABS began to distribute more widely across the affected region. In Mississippi, the impact of its work was seen at first hand by one of the
PHOTO: ABS/David Singer
At a reception centre in Mississippi for victims of Hurricane Katrina, a volunteer distributes American Bible Society Bibles.
Society's employees, David Singer. He witnessed - and photographed - how people who had lost everything eagerly accepted the offer of a Scripture Portion and took comfort from the passages they found there. His photographs show how, through the actions of volunteers and through God's Word, ABS is helping people to rebuild their lives on firm spiritual foundations. For many victims, this will be a very long process: in order to provide them with long term support, the Society will undertake cooperative work with other faith-based partners such as Convoy of Hope, Operation Compassion and Safe Harbor International.
