By Baptist Message staff
DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Nearly two weeks after wildfires broke out in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have wrapped up efforts in the area.
According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, teams prepared 5,509 meals, distributed 50 tracts, had 27 Gospel conversations and saw one individual come to faith in Christ from Aug. 23 to Sept. 2.
“This DR deployment demonstrated the true spirit of the Cooperative Program,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Local churches, the Beauregard Baptist Association and the LBC joined together to meet the needs of evacuees and first responders.”
A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding trailer was used to prepare 5,509 meals from Aug. 23 to Sept. 2. Submitted photo
Statham said the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering provided half the funds to assist Philadelphia Baptist Church Deville in purchasing the quick response feeding unit trailer that proved to be a great resource in this disaster.
“Our first meal was served just four hours after we received the request for help,” Statham said.
According to a news release from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, crews are battling fires in four areas: Tiger Island, Highway 113 near Oakdale, Lions Camp Road and Elizabeth
Tiger Island
A fire was first reported Aug. 22 in Tiger Island has burned 31,342 acres and was 50 percent contained. The fire is located east of Merryville, south of Hwy 190, southwest of DeRidder and north of Singer.
Highway 113
Located 14 miles northwest of Oakdale, the fire has burned 7,321 aces and nd is 50 percent contained.
Lions Camp Road
The fire 5 miles northwest of Leesville has burned 709 acres.
Elizabeth
Located in southwest Rapides Parish, the fire is south of Ten Mile Road and northeast of state Louisiana Hwy 462 and has burned 943 acres. It is 50 percent contained.
Joining the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team members have been individuals from churches, fire fighters, medical personnel, National Guardsmen, parish authorities, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials, Louisiana State Fire Marshal team members, Beauregard Sherriff’s office personnel, the Office of Emergency Preparedness and others from around the state and nation.
A statewide burn bans remains in place.
