Dr. Rick Lance of the Alabama Baptist Convention calls the tornado damage “Alabama’s Katrina” (April 30th blog).  After spending Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Pratt City… I agree.  The picture to the right is what Pratt City looks like now…

While I was at the distribution point for Pratt City I was blessed watching car after car bring in supplies of water… food… and other items.  A group of students from Samford University were there unloading donations and carrying goods to cars and houses of those needing supplies.  There were people from Episcopal… Methodist… A.M.E…. and several other denominations helping.  There were literally hundreds of volunteers doing whatever was needed.  People came from Virginia… North Carolina… and a couple of other states and set up grills for hamburgers and hot dogs for whoever needed or wanted them.  Even Charles Barkley showed up to encourage those working at the distribution center.

If you’d like to help or contribute to those devastated by the tornado in Pratt City you can contact Huffman Baptist Church (CLICK HERE).  We will send 100% of all contributions to the Birmingham Baptist Association Disaster Relief.

Those who’s lives have been forever changed in Pratt City are going to need help… significant help.  Not just for a week or two, but for a long time.  Some of them have nowhere to live at this time.  They have nothing left but the clothes on their backs.  The road to recovery will take a long time.  My prayer is that we will fulfill Romans 12:9-13…

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Tim Lovett (Former pastor of Huffman Baptist Church who now is pastor in Tuscaloosa) told me the church he serves has decided to adopt 25 families and start them off on a new foot (God willing I’m going to suggest this to Huffman Baptist for families in Pratt City).  This means setting up families in a new location with the following: Paying to turn on their gas, power, and water; furnishing them with beds and furniture; buying them groceries to stock their kitchen; providing clothes for the family.  Of course there will need to be a bit of research to take place for those displaced… but still Pastor Lovett has a great idea!

I wonder… what if churches across Alabama decided to come together to do this?  Who knows… maybe building a bunch of Habitat homes in Pratt City?  Wouldn’t that be a great testimony???  Houses built… furnished… and stocked… by Christians!  For God’s glory!!  Hmmm… I think I’m going to… Hmmm… Let me get back with you.