A tornado leveled a trailer park in Farmerville, Louisiana, on Dec. 13, injuring two dozen people and leaving 30 residents without food, clothing and other basic necessities. In response, area churches and Rolling Hills Ministry in Ruston were quick to step in with assistance the following day.
According to RHM director of ministries John Cowling, RHM director David Abernathy, his wife, Jerri, and himself were assessing damage the tornado caused in the area when they were directed by local authorities to Alex, who manages the individuals who lived in the trailer park.
After a brief conversation, Alex agreed to transport the residents to RHM’s thrift store, where they received clothing, other necessities and lunch. Later that evening, RHM also provided supper for the residents at their temporary housing, an apartment complex in Farmerville.
Additionally, area churches from Concord-Union Baptist Association donated $3,000 to help storm victims, with RHM matching the donation. Each resident received $200 during a special prayer service, Dec. 14, at the former Farmerville High School.
Serving those ‘who lost everything’
Cowling said he was proud of association director of missions Barry Joyner who spearheaded the effort to collect the monetary donations along with area churches and volunteers.
“I found great joy in serving people who lost everything,” Cowling told the Baptist Message.
Abernathy added, “Some of the ones who don’t have much to begin with sometimes suffer the greatest loss. I’m glad churches, Rolling Hills and disaster relief can make a difference just to give them some hope.”
Farmerville was one of several areas of the state rocked by tornadoes Dec. 13–14 from a powerful cold front.
Generosity and love
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said during a tour of damage in Keithville in Caddo Parish, the state was unofficially hit by 21 tornadoes in a 24-hour period. Teams from the National Weather Service were conducting a full ground survey to assess damage and just how many tornadoes hit the state. The storm was responsible for at least three fatalities.
“Donna and I are praying for the families and communities who lost loved ones and everyone who suffered injuries or lost their homes,” Edwards said in a statement. “I can tell you from today’s tour the damage is great, but the generosity and love being shown by the neighbors of these victims is even greater.”
The tornado outbreak in Louisiana as part of a larger system that also produced tornadoes in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, blizzards in the northern Rockies, northern Plains and parts of the Upper Midwest, and ice and snow throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Louisiana’s Baptist Message.
